Blundeston and Flixton W.I. was founded in 1922 and our members have taken part in many community projects in recent years. We have cleared the Village pond; spring cleaned the Village Hall; made a set of tapestry kneelers for the church; presented to the Village a sign depicting David Copperfield; planted trees around the Village and on the Millennium Green, and organised tea parties and lunches for the local Sunshine Club and Village children. Members have also written, arranged and taken part in Village Pantomimes. We usually exhibit at the Suffolk Show each year, and in the year 2000 completed and won first prize in a Millennium Challenge to record for posterity an area of our local environment, as part of a Countywide endeavour. This has been followed up last year with an update.
Locally we offer our members various educational activities and take a keen interest in public affairs and environmental issues.
Members are encouraged to take up opportunities offered at Local, County and National level of learning new skills or expanding an existing craft or hobby. Our Institute offers a bursary to help cover Members expenses for such courses. One of our members went on a Sugar Craft course run by the W.I. - subsequently became a tutor on the subject and then qualified as a National Sugar Craft Judge! Another member qualified as a National Craft Judge and several members are cookery judges.
We have an excellent craft class every Wednesday in Lound Village Hall
Blundeston Village Hall was originally built for and run by the W.I. And was later handed over to the Parish Council.
W.I. Membership fees for 2007 are £26, which for the first time will include a magazine.
Visitors are welcome to attend any meeting and we charge a fee of £2
We currently have a 60 strong membership.
We are a member of the Suffolk East Federation of Womens Institutes.
The W.I. Has its HQ in London with a professional Staff looking after our interests.
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There is a residential W.I. Adult Educational College in Oxfordshire. Denman College is wholeheartedly committed to Lifelong Learning.
Email; info@denman.org.uk.
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The W.I. was started in Canada in 1897 by Adelaide Hoodless. She lived in Stoney Creek in Ontario and her fourth child died, from what she believed was her own ignorance of hygiene and childcare. As a result she started classes for local women on domestic science, and from these beginnings the W.I. has evolved.
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The W.I. was started in this country in 1915 to voice womens concerns and is now the largest and most influential voluntary womens organisation in this country. It enables women to turn their interests into achievements and their concerns into campaigns.
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Among the subjects of our monthly meetings for 2007 are - Our Local Fire Service; An Arctic Saga; Antiques; Working At the James Paget Hospital; Riding the Iron Horse Across America; Growing and Showing Sweet Peas, and a hilarious talk called Everything I Always Wanted to Know About Sex.
Various outings are to be arranged and we have two rambles for those with a little get up and go (these are usually followed by a slap up tea!)
If you are interested in coming along contact Barbara Shaw 01502 730885, or any W.I. member for further information.
