Welcome to the Asby branch of the
Womens’ Institute.
In 1915 the Womens’ Institute set out to give women a voice, to be a force for good in the community. A trusted place for women, run by women of all generations – an opportunity to share experiences, challenge yourself or learn from someone with real experience, first hand.
The same is true today.
For many, the WI is an opportunity to share knowledge and learn new skills with other women, coming together socially where you will be listened to and be heard. Whether it’s Family History, Spring Cookery, Experiences of a Himalayan trip or Poetry & Plonk there’s an interest for everyone and always something new to learn.
Some join to campaign; the WI has a voice on the issues of today, from climate change to children’s diet, from human trafficking to supermarket expansion. And it’s a voice people really listen to.
For everyone who joins the WI there is the freedom to make what you want of it. Whatever you choose, the WI promises to be a source of friendship, inspiration and enjoyment.
Asby WI meet regularly on the second Tuesday of the month (except January) at 7.30pm in Great Asby Village Hall. There is a speaker, activity or demonstration and the chance to chat over a cup of tea. See the Diary of Future Events opposite for further details of our current programme.
We also organise occasional outings and visits and there is the opportunity to join other WI’s in the local area at their events.
Below you can also read the reports of our most recent meetings.
Asby WI also runs a Knit & Natter (craft) group who meet on the first and third Mondays of the month in members’ homes. Bring your own craft to do, perhaps knit squares for blankets, or just come along for coffee and a chat.
WI members and non-members are all very welcome.
We meet at 2pm. The dates and venues are published on the ‘What’s On’ Calendar on the front page of this website and in “Asby Matters”.
The WI is arranged into Federations; Asby WI is part of Cumbria Westmorland Federation of WIs (CWFWI). You can find lots more information about them at their web site. We all receive a monthly newsletter, “WI News”, from them with details of lots of events in our area. You can check their 2017 Diary of Events.
The National Federation of Women’s Institutes represents all the WIs in England, Wales and offshore islands. Your annual subscription includes 8 copies per year of a glossy magazine, “WI Life”, which is delivered directly to every member. Lots more information about the WI nationally is available at their web site.
If you would like to come along, with no commitment to join straight away, or simply get more information, then contact:-
Annie Johnson – President.
Jackie Smart – Secretary.
June Sowerby – Assistant Secretary.
Anne Hulse – Treasurer.
or just come along to a meeting, you will be made most welcome.
Reports from Recent Meetings
Asby WI Meeting 11 July 2017
A year In a Cumbrian garden
Fifteen members of Asby WI met in the village hall for their monthly meeting when the speaker was Brenda Austin. Brenda's theme was 'A year In a Cumbrian garden'. In her talk she told how, 19 years ago, she had moved from Clifton in the Eden Valley to a 16th century house near Burneside which, at the time of the move, had an overgrown garden. This, to Brenda, was not a drawback as it meant she could indulge her love of gardening and create a garden of her own design.
Read the full report
Asby WI Meeting 9 May 2017
Resolutions
Tradition and innovation, the hallmarks of Asby WI, have been seen alive and well in the past few months.
Tradition: With evening guest speakers, including recently the Herald's news editor Emily Atherton, and the yearly meeting at which resolutions being proposed at the WI national annual meeting are discussed, following which the WI's decision is forwarded to the representing delegate. This year's two topics were concerned with loneliness, and microplastic fibres found in the seas.
Read the full report
Asby WI Meeting 11 April 2017
The C&W Herald
At the April meeting of Asby WI the President, Annie Johnson, welcomed Emily Atherton, the News Editor of the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, who gave members a whistle stop tour of the newspaper, past, present and future. She explained she had only taken over this particular role 18 months ago, although she had spent most of her journalistic career working at the Herald, she initially found her new role quite daunting, especially having to deal with over 400 emails a day.
Read the full reportNote: To access ALL the meeting reports from the last 12 months just choose to read the full version of any of those above, then select from the list of past meetings.