Programme
Programme 2026 - 2027
2026
GREAT ASHFIELD & BADWELL ASH WI
Established 1924
April 9th 7.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
Open Meeting. Everyone is welcome, entrance is £3 and includes refreshments and a raffle ticket.
Speaker: Suffolk Police Rural Unit - Heritage & Wildlife Crime
Rural crime is an issue for large areas of the country, but it tends to go unreported. It can impact on insurance premiums, food prices and damage local communities. It can be hard to know whether something is a crime and whether to contact the police or another charity or organisation. Come along and find out more...
May 14th 7.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
AGM
June 11th 7.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
Speaker: Francis Saltmarsh - Corsets, Crinolines and Camisoles
Costume historian Fran Saltmarsh will talk about the history of underwear from AD 300 through to the modern day, and will bring some authentic pieces of clothing to show.
July 9th 2pm
Garden visit: Porters Lodge Gardens, Cavenham IP28 6DB
In 2004, Porters Lodge was honoured with the title of Britain’s Best Back Garden. It is a haven of tranquillity where beautifully designed gardens meet the warmth of a country tearoom. Situated on the edge of the village, the gardens were created by Craig Wyncoll and architect Lionel Stirgess when they moved to Porters Lodge in 1989. Their vision and dedication over many years has transformed the grounds into a place of lasting beauty.
For many years the gardens opened just once a year in support of charitable causes., but now more often.
Cost to guests of WI members will be £10-15 payment is required before the visit and is non refundable. Fee includes tea and cakes.
August 13th 2pm
Members Garden Meeting, and Bring and Buy Sale
Location to be confirmed
September 10th 7.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
Speaker: Stephen Moody - The Theatre Royal
Stephen is Duty Manager & Tour guide at Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds. Find out more about this theatre first opened in 1819 and is still popular to this day. In 2007 the theatre was restored to its original Regency splendour, the only one in the UK.
October 8th 7.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
Speaker: Stephen Spencer - Tall Tales from Passport Control
Border Force is a law enforcement command within the Home Office. They secure the UK border by carrying out immigration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK, find out more about the lighter side of the job.....
November 12th 7.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
Speaker: Dr Andrew Moncrieff - I’ve Nothing to Fear, I’m Innocent
Dr Moncrieff has conducted numerous geological investigations into serious crimes, the most high-profile example being the Soham murder enquiry. He used soil and rock evidence to show that Ian Huntley had driven his car on the remote track where the bodies of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were found. He was also deeply involved in the release and subsequent acquittal at re-trial of Barri White and Keith Hyatt, who had been wrongly convicted of murder...
December 10th 2.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
2027
January 14th 2.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
Speaker: Fay Jones - The Joy of Spoon Carving
With an original background in conservation, Fay Jones has been playing, making, and teaching wood and textile crafts over a decade. Learn about the Woodland providing the starting materials and a practical demonstration of how to make a wooden spoon.
February 11th 2.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
“A Crafty Afternoon”
March 11th 7.30pm
Lord Thurlow Hall, Great Ashfield
Speaker: Michele Russell - A Journey with Glass
Join us for a evening of artistry and light!
It was after taking voluntary redundancy Michele Russell started pursuing a creative interest in stained glass. She bought a second-hand kiln and after the first firing of some jewellery she was hooked. Michele from Elmswell has set up Churchhouse Stained Glass making jewellery, foils and lead framed stained glass designs.
Michelle will bring items of her work to sell.