WI

[motherrunner]

There is a WI near me and I’m thinking about joining. Is anyone a member of a WI and can be an insider insight to what you enjoy about meetings?

[Sacreblue]

I’m grand thanks Mother moving forward that’s the main thing.

I’m disappointed to hear self-id is accepted because that would be a barrier to me rejoining but afaik groups in my area are all female.

One of the nicest things was the variety of activities/talks/competitions and being able to connect with women from lots of places.

Best advice upthread is to try it out, I think I was allowed to go to 3 meetings before joining ‘proper’.

[Floisme]

I was referring to the 'history of tea towels' comment.
I don't have any expertise in these crafts myself by the way, but I do respect them.

[Quitelikeacatslife]

I was asked what a young agenda was, and perhaps a misguided attempt at humour. there are traditional groups and i am not crafty at all. We do have craft based meetings sometimes but tend to have a modern twist. We also have a sub group for crafts so those who are interested. My comments are not representative of the whole WI

[WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo]

I'd quite like to know the history of tea towels. Specifically why are my mums tea towels that she bought in the 70s and 80s still in an almost "as new" condition, other than being faded. Whereas I've have to replace mine more than once since leaving home in 2004

[Floisme]

They might have been Irish linen Phyllis - a wonderful fabric.
Maybe I could come and give a talk

[motherrunner]

From all this talk I would love a WI with you folk!

[SpringCrocus]

Irish linen. Drool.
I inherited some huge Irish linen tablecloths, enormous, victorian fabric.
So beautiful, utterly useless to me (not having ginormous dining table to put them on!)
I sold them for a lot of money to an historical costume maker.

[Lazierdays]

The WI is definitely trans friendly! So if that’s not what you are looking for then maybe not…

[Quitelikeacatslife]

The WI has for a long time accepted anyone living as a woman as a member and I really don't have a problem with that and I am not in the TWAW camp at all. It is hard to explain without being in the culture but the" living as"aspect for me feels like in this instance it is best to be kind. I have never heard anyone from high up state TWAW or deny biological sex. Each group is very much its own culture, some are very traditional, some very urban and you may find groups with a strong stance on a wide range of issues.

[SpringCrocus]

@Quitelikeacatslife

To each their own, I felt uncomfortable giving subs to a group who have taken a position since 2015 that I strongly disagree with.

As is my right.

[Adelais]

I’m a member of the WI and I’m in my mid 30s :).
I also used to work for the WI in the county office and we did have a TW as one of our members.

[Quaagars]

I really want to join the WI now, been googling and sounds great!

[Quaagars]

Googling to get an idea of the kind of things you do that is lol, not because I didn't know what it was

[SpringCrocus]

@Quaagars
I'm sure. 🤔
Enjoy joining WI.

[Quaagars]

?
Just meant been looking for something to do club wise, sounds like there's lots if different things to do there and never thought of the WI before.

[highame]

Odd board for this for FWR. Sounds more like a WI campaign to get more members

[MrsWooster]

Once again, including tw means excluding any women who wish to have a single sex space, be that for religious, philosophical, trauma, or any other reason. Men’s desire to be included trumps women’s needs. Again.

[Albien]

I went to my local WI aged 30. I was the only person under 70. They played bingo and had cups of tea and raffles. I didn’t go back because I was so obviously the odd one out and wasn’t realistically going to make friends.

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

It occurs to me that the TW who want to be in female spaces tend to focus their attention to spaces where there are young females.

I've not heard of any TW in the WI.

Curious.

[PrettyVacancy]

I left WI because of all the arguments and infighting. I was excluded from some events because they were for committee members only which sounds fine until you realise that there was a huge committee and we were a small rural branch. It was very cliquey indeed and even though one clique tried to get me on board I refused because I hate things like that.

I’m also completely opposed to men being allowed, or rather encouraged with hand maidenly gestures, to join. Women have precious little to ourselves nowadays and it angers me that so many women are willing to give away our spaces.

[AgathaMystery]

Mine meets in a pub (when not in global pandemic mode).

I do like needlework (a lot) but I really liked the volcano talk from two leading female experts last month. It was ace!