What does Shadforth WI do?

Monthly Meetings

Each 3rd Tuesday in the month, at Shadforth Village Hall, County Durham, 7.00pm - 10.00pm (for specific dates see Programme or Event Calendar).

Most meetings include a Speaker on an interesting topic (see SWI Speakers’ Corner), competitions, games and a chance to socialise.

We welcome anyone, even on a temporary basis. Shadforth WI has recently been pleased to welcome visitors from as far apart as America and South Korea.

Other Shadforth WI Activities

Other activities are chosen and organised by the members! If you are interested in something you can make it happen! For Current Activities see the Programme on the Home page and the Event Calendar. Examples of the types of activities on offer include:
Book Group - (see SWI Book Group).
Crafts - Silk Painting Day (see picture for result!).
Walks - Walks Group (see SWI Walks Group).
Outings - Meal floating down the River Tees; trip to Raby Castle and meal, trip to Craft Exhibition at Ripley Castle, Gliding (see photo below).
Theatre Trips
Quizzes
Amateur Dramatics - Most recently, members performed a show based on “This Is Your Life”, written by institute members.

County Activities

Shadforth is part of Durham County Federation of Women’s Institutes (DCFWI) so additionally members can take part in activities on a county level, including:
Art and Craft classes - monthly Art Class at WI House, monthly Embroidery Class, Quilling Workshop.
Games and Competitions – Kurling, Monthly games and quizzes, Annual Car Treasure Hunt, Pub quizzes, scrabble, County quiz, poetry (see SWI Poets’ Corner).
Education - bursaries for Denman College (see Benefits for Members), recycling information.
Travel - visit to the Houses of Parliament (March 2006).
Chance to be a Delegate – at DCFWI AGM and Autumn Council Meeting (delegate from Shadforth WI attends and reports to the institute at the following Monthly Meeting).

National Activities – through the National Federation of Women’s Institutes

Competitions - NFWI Photographic competition 2006, poetry (see SWI Poets’ Corner), Stepping Out challenge and scrapbook competing for the Elizabeth Bell Trophy (see Walks Group).
Offers, Merchandise and Travel – see Benefits for Members page.
Education – Denman College, WI magazine: Home & Country, training courses.
Chance to be a Delegate – Representing your WI at national level by attending the national AGM with over 5000 other WI members (in 2006 and 2010 at Cardiff International Arena, in 2007 and 2009 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, in 2008 and 2011 in Liverpool), which has had such speakers as The Queen (a WI member) at the WI's 75th anniversary AGM in 1990 and Tony Blair at the Triennial General Meeting at Wembley Arena in 2000.
Chance to Change the UK – Every WI member can put forward a resolution which could become the basis for a WI national campaign, influencing UK government policy and the UK way of life (see National WI Campaigns).
Chance to Make a Difference – By taking part in campaigns and being a member of the largest women’s organisation in Britain you really can make a difference!