Upcoming Federation Events

Event Calendar

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New Craft Project!

The WI Making for the My Wish Charity Project

Following on from our wonderful success in making syringe driver bags for West Suffolk Hospital, we have been asked for the following items:

Dementia Blankets

Premature Baby Quilts

Knitted Teddies

Click here for more info

NFWI Annual Meeting

Thursday 4^th June 2020

The Royal Albert Hall, London

Observer Tickets

The 2020 National Federation of Women’s Institutes Annual Meeting is to be held in the breath taking setting of the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 4^th June.

With London being so close to Suffolk this year’s event will not require overnight accommodation. The Federation coach will pick up from Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket on the morning of Thursday 4^th June 2020 and return the same day. Timings and costings for ticket and travel are to be confirmed in later correspondence.

We are aware that some members wish to arrange their own travel, therefore if you require only a ticket for the annual meeting the cost is £22 per member.

If you wish to travel only one way on the Federation coach then you will still need to pay the full amount for the cost of the ticket and coach travel (TBC).

Due to the size of the venue tickets are limited and therefore it may be necessary for the Federation to hold a ballot.

If you are interested in attending then please use the attached form to register your interest and return to the WI Office no later than Tuesday 11^th February 2020. After this date you will receive confirmation if you have been successful. Payment will then be due immediately (either by BACS or a cheque made payable to SWFWI please). WIs will not be invoiced for this event.

Please note! At the Annual Meeting Observers are seated in a separate area from the Delegates.

For further information or enquiries please contact Rachel Hows (Federation Secretary) at the WI Office:  01284 336645 | office.swfwi@gmail.com

Form

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Christchurch Mansion (IP4 2BE)

Tuesday 9^th June 2020
9.45am for 10am Tour

£5 per person

Christchurch Mansion in Christchurch Park, Ipswich is a treasure trove of exhibits spanning many centuries. We will meet at 9.45am in the foyer of the mansion and have arranged a tour for 10am.

This is a “get yourself there” visit – transport is not provided, however there are frequent Park & Ride buses which stop nearby (approx. 400m walk). There is limited parking for blue badge holders, but you must pre-register on 01473 433980.

Please note: There are no lifts to the upper floors and some floors are uneven. On a more positive note, there is a very good café and wonderful gardens to enjoy.

The tour will last approx. one and half hours. After you are free to explore the rest of Ipswich. We recommend the waterfront, Ipswich museum or the Women’s History Trail to name a few. Closing date for tickets is Wednesday 20^th May 2020.

Booking Form

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A Walk around Ousden

Wednesday 10^th June 2020
9.45am for 10am start

Meet at Ousden Village Hall (CB8 8TR)

£2 per person

Join us for a walk around Ousden.  This will be an approx. 5 mile walk over undulating terrain with the opportunity of some lovely scenery and good company of course.

There is a pub in the village where coffee and lunch will be available to buy afterwards.

Suitable supportive shoes are advised. This event is open to both members and non-members.

Booking Form

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TEA UNDER THE WILLOW TREE

An informal alfresco buffet style afternoon tea at The Crown, Stoke By Nayland

Wednesday 17^th June

3-4.30PM

The Crown, Stoke by Nayland (CO6 4SE)

£10 per WI MEMBER

This event is the first of two afternoon teas to celebrate the Centenary of our federation.

To continue the celebrations we will be hosting an informal buffet style afternoon tea at The Crown in Stoke by Nayland. Weather permitting we hope to be sat in the garden under the shade of their magnificent willow tree. If the weather isn’t on our side then we will be seated inside.

Booking Form

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The Centenary Sound of Wales in Suffolk

This event is presented by Suffolk West Federation of WIs as part of our centenary celebrations.

Saturday 27^th June 2020

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Tickets £21 per person (+ £1 booking fee)

The boys are back in town! The London Welsh Rugby Club Choir are returning to Suffolk to help us celebrate our centenary year and entertain us again with a variety of songs, from popular tracks to traditional Welsh melodies.

This is definitely one NOT to be missed!

Tickets are on sale now and are selling fast!

Tickets are ONLY available from The Apex.

Contact The Apex to book yours either online www.theapex.co.uk

or phone 01284 758000

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SHAKESPEARE IN THE GARDEN

Saturday 11^th July 2020

7pm (Gates open 6pm)

Park Farm Grounds, Fornham St Genevieve (IP28 6TS)
£10 per person. Open to WI Members, family and friends

As part of our centenary celebrations the Board of Trustees have invited Durham University’s Castle Theatre Company to present one of William Shakespeare’s most intriguing and brilliant comedies: The Taming of the Shrew.

Telling the classic tale of true love emerging from mutual hatred, this hilarious production engages in disguise, deceit and devastatingly funny Shakespearean insults to tell a story of love in unlikely places. Katherina Minola is a bold, fierce young woman, opposed to marriage in all its forms. Her beautiful and mild-mannered sister, Bianca, has her pick of the local suitors in Padua, but their father insists that Bianca shall not wed until Katherina has a husband. Come and watch this enthusiastic young company bring this play to life.  The Castle Theatre Company is one of Durham University's oldest theatrical societies. For nearly four decades, it has taken its annual summer Shakespeare tour around Britain and we are thrilled to welcome them to Park Farm.

Bring a picnic and a garden chair or rug and settle yourself down for a different kind of evening. The magic of Shakespeare on a summer’s evening.

Booking Form

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Afternoon Tea at The Guildhall

A Ritz style Tea, with a glass of Prosecco or orange juice served in the garden. Tea will be served in the Banqueting Hall.

Tuesday 14^th July 2020

Drinks at 2.30pm & Tea served at 3pm

The Guildhall, Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds (IP33 1QB)
£18 per WI Member

This event is the second of two afternoon teas to celebrate the Centenary of our federation.

To continue the celebrations we will be hosting a Ritz style afternoon tea at The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds.  Weather permitting we will serve a pre tea drink in the garden, followed by a waitress served afternoon tea in the Banqueting Hall, after which members will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of the Guildhall and the WWII Operations Room.

Dress code smart/casual.

Booking Form

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Flower Arranging for Beginners

Wednesday 16^th September 2020
10am to 12pm at Park Farm (IP28 6TS)
£16 per Member

A workshop for those with no experience

or those who would like to improve their confidence with flowers.

The Creative Leisure Activities committee are pleased to annouce that Gill King has agreed to host another of her flower arranging workshops. Gill is a member of Risby WI and is a very accomplished flower arranger.

If you love flowers in the house, but you’re just not sure what to do with them other than empty in the flower food and pop in a vase then this is just the workshop for you.

Gill will demonstrate two different ways to arrange supermarket flowers, one in a vase of your own from home and a second arrangement in flower foam. She will also cover buying flowers; what to look out for, how to condition them before arranging etc.

What you will need:

- Two bunches of flowers from the supermarket

- Some greenery from your garden (if possible) or dried material

- A pair of scissors/secuteurs

- Your own vase

Booking Form

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CENTENARY THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

Saturday 5^th September
St Mary’s Church, Bury St Edmunds

WE NEED YOU! We would like to fill St Mary’s Church with WI floral displays at the above event; therefore we are inviting WIs show off their floral skills.

If your WI would like to take part then there are several options:

- A pedestal arrangement (arrangements just needs to be in a pot)

- Window sill arrangements (8 inches deep and up to 4ft in length)

- An arrangement on the font steps (10 inches x 30 inches)

We hope to accommodate everybody’s requests but there are limitations, if we have too many of the same requests then we will allocate on a ballot basis.

There are no colour restrictions; we would love to see a riot of colour! Flowers from the garden would be ideal. We only ask you incorporate your WI name into the arrangement, this can be with a card or however you wish.

Bring your finished arrangement to St Mary’s on Friday 4^th September (1.30-3.30pm). Collection will take place on Monday 7^th September – the church will then have the benefit of your wonderful work for the Sunday, but we do understand you may wish to take your arrangements with you after our service on the Saturday.

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Suffolk West Federation Denman Visit

Friday 19^th March 2021 - Sunday 21^st March 2021

Why not join us for a three day Spring Break at Denman in 2021?

Enjoy a three day inclusive Spring break at our WI College developing new skills in one of our exciting course choices and the chance to make new friends. There’s something for everyone!

We have arranged coach travel from Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket and Sudbury with a comfort stop enroute before arriving at Denman in time for tea and delicious cakes.

More details

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The Centenary Sound of Wales in Suffolk

This event is presented by Suffolk West Federation of WIs as part of our centenary celebrations.

Saturday 8th May 2021

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Tickets £21 per person (+ £1 booking fee)

The boys are back in town! The London Welsh Rugby Club Choir are returning to Suffolk to help us celebrate our centenary year and entertain us again with a variety of songs, from popular tracks to traditional Welsh melodies.

This is definitely one NOT to be missed!

Tickets are on sale now and are selling fast!

Tickets are ONLY available from The Apex.

Contact The Apex to book yours either online www.theapex.co.uk

or phone 01284 758000

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Afternoon Tea at The Guildhall

A Ritz style Tea, with a glass of Prosecco or orange juice served in the garden. Tea will be served in the Banqueting Hall.

Tuesday 13th  July 2021

Drinks at 2.30pm & Tea served at 3pm

The Guildhall, Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds (IP33 1QB)
£18 per WI Member

This event is the second of two afternoon teas to celebrate the Centenary of our federation.

To continue the celebrations we will be hosting a Ritz style afternoon tea at The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds.  Weather permitting we will serve a pre tea drink in the garden, followed by a waitress served afternoon tea in the Banqueting Hall, after which members will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of the Guildhall and the WWII Operations Room.

Dress code smart/casual.

Booking Form

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