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 instigated 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:-
or just come along to a meeting, you will be made most welcome.
Reports from Recent Meetings
Asby WI - May 2022
Resolutions + Quiz
Traditionally, across the WI in England and Wales, May is the month when branches consider the resolution(s) to be put forward at the National Annual Meeting in June: resolution(s) that determine the WI’s next national campaign hoping to improve the world we live in. Earlier campaigns led to the formation of the anti-litter charity, Keep Britain Tidy, and to improving housing - a WI ‘model’ house was exhibited at a post-war Ideal Homes exhibition and made a real difference in new estates from then on.
More recently there have been ‘eco-resolutions’ and, not surprisingly resolutions relating to women’s health. Once a resolution is agreed upon, the WI campaigns in Parliament, nationally through the media, and locally through enthusiastic WIs and individuals.
Read the full report
Asby WI - April 2022
Decorating a Chocolate Easter Egg
With a craft afternoon planned for Holy Week there should be no prizes for guessing that Asby WI members would be decorating chocolate Easter eggs on that occasion!
The Vice-President and members welcomed 3 guests who each came with a child to the meeting at which Louise Reeve was the guest demonstrator. Before Louise got things started, Pat Bevan very briefly outlined some of the symbols and traditions used to celebrate Easter, including palm crosses, Maundy money, hot cross buns, and, of course, Easter eggs.
Louise had made very careful preparations – including special icing for one of the children who has an egg allergy; leak-proof icing bags for everyone; jars in which to stand the eggs while working on them, and an assortment of stars, flowers and coloured icing with which to be creative. Rabbits were a particularly popular design feature, but so were flowers, a few butterflies, and other harbingers of spring.
Read the full report
Asby WI - March 2022
Headway - The brain injury association
The President, Annie Johnson, welcomed 6 members and 3 guests to the meeting. She introduced guest speaker, Glenys Marriott from Headway, the Brain Injury Association, and Anne Carruthers from Asby who came in support.
Ms Marriott began her most interesting talk by explaining that Headway provides support for people with head injuries, their families and carers. Problems resulting from both Traumatic and Acquired brain injuries could be very long-lasting, leading to the need for long-term rehabilitation. Headway aimed to provide individually-tailored packages of support for their clients, and others involved.
Loss of memory was a particular problem which could in some cases destroy a person’s identity. These days electronic devices, including Alexa!, and ‘helper dogs’ enabled folk to cope. Anne Carruthers detailed some of the strategies she uses to cope with a personal long term memory problem following a car accident.
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.
