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:-
President – Annie Johnson.
Vice President – Pat Bevan.
Secretary – Jackie Smart.
Treasurer – Anne Hulse.
or just come along to a meeting, you will be made most welcome.
Reports from Recent Meetings
Asby WI - March 2020
Theatre Tales
The guest speaker at Asby WI in March was Conrad Lynch, the former artistic director at the Theatre by the Lake, Keswick. His theme - Theatre Tales - was a lively, whirlwind, "potted history" of his experiences in the theatre to date.
Growing up in Rochdale, theatre was not something generally on his horizon until he saw, as a child, the Transformation Scene in 'Cinderella' in a performance at the Royal Exchange. Later at University he was inspired by Helen Mirren in 'Two Way Mirror'. Encouraged by his father to supplement his student grant he applied successfully to become an usher at the Young Vic: from then on he was hooked. And it wasn't surprising to learn that on leaving university and having the opportunity to work either for the Ford Motor Company or as the Finance Assistant at the Young Vic he chose the latter even though his rate of pay would be less.
Read the full report
Asby WI - February 2020
Bees and Beekeeping
Despite wind, rain and no water from the taps, 14 members and one guest gathered in Asby village hall for Asby WI's first meeting of 2020. Guest speakers, Jane and Richard Ridler, master bee-keepers and long-standing friends of Asby President Annie Johnson, had travelled from Essex to give what was an extremely informative and interesting talk about bees and bee-keeping.
Mrs Ridler began by explaining that there are 250 species of solitary bees in Britain, 21 species of bumble bees living in small colonies of about 600, and just one honey bee species whose colonies have up to 60,000 bees.
Jane explained how well organised each hive was with the queen and larvae based at the bottom and the honey at the top. She described the work of the various members of the colony - the queen just lays eggs; the male drones mate with the queen; the female workers begin life keeping the hive tidy, and then progress over three weeks through feeding the larvae, building the wax comb, to guarding the hive. This is followed by a further period when the workers forage for nectar and scout for new supplies. Taken as a whole a colony in its hive could be described 'as one creative and communicating super-organism'.
Read the full report
Asby WI - December 2019
Christmas Wreath Making
The weather during the day had been atrocious. This meant some members of Asby WI were reluctant to travel through the resulting flooded areas in the evening making numbers lower than usual.
This was a pity because the evening was rather special. Members were recognising 95 years of WI in the village for which a surprise celebratory cake had been commissioned. The cake, which was both very good to look at and to eat(!), was made and decorated by 14 year old Charlotte Marston from Catherine Holme. Maud Holder, currently longest serving member of Asby WI, cut the cake. She was also hostess for the evening with Barbara Askew.
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.