Avon Federation of WIs

29/04/2026

2026 AFWI CHAIRMAN'S ROSE BOWL
WIs are invited to nominate a WI member who has, whilst a member, gone 'above and beyond' for their WI, demonstrating outstanding skills, commitment, leadership or initiative. The member may also be involved with the local community.

Guidelines for submission:
- The application should be written in 12 Point font, up to 500 words, on an A4 sheet of paper.
- The word count should be included as a footnote; with the name of the nominated member and the WI they attend.

Please email your word-processed entries to office@avonfwi.org.uk by Thursday 6 August 2026
The winner will be announced at the 2026 AFWI Annual Meeting on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

28/04/2026

2026 AFWI ANNUAL MEETING

Tuesday 15 September 2026
From 10.15am to 3.30pm
Winter Gardens, Royal Parade, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1AJ

Following the Business element of the meeting, we have some interesting speakers, in no particular order you will be hearing from:

Lindsey Cole, an adventurer, children's author, and environmental activist known for her bold mermaid campaigns tackling river and ocean pollution. After cuting her hand on plastic whilst free-diving, Lindsey swam the length of the Thames to raise awareness of the plastic crisis. She rescued a drowning cow enroute, which inspired her first book, 'The Mermaid and the Cow'.

Amanda Parr, a well-known face on our TV screens, has recently risen to the Senior Presenter role on BBC Points West. She's interviewed everyone from Prime Ministers to local heroes - as well as reporting breaking news! Amanda will be sharing reflections on a career spent at the heart of our local community - taking us behind the lens to reveal what really happens when the cameras are rolling, and what goes on when (thankfully) they aren't!

Melissa Green - Chief Executive (CEO) NFWI.

Along with some interesting stalls for you to enjoy some retail therapy, we will also have a Bra 'Recycling' Bank at the meeting, for clean unwanted bras - in support of the Against Breast Cancer Charity.

Tea and coffee will be available on arrival, around the top circle of the Ballroom, we respectfully request that you give a donation. Members to make their own arrangements for lunch.

Note: St John Ambulance First Aiders will be in attendance.

Members Only: £21.00 (Note: each WI can send one delegate for free)
Closing Date: Monday 3 August 2026
Please apply through your WI Secretary

27/04/2026

ZOOM EVENT: THE FORGOTTEN WOMEN OF HISTORY
Thursday 25 June 2026
Zoom: 7.00pm to 8.30pm

They say history is written by the winners, but we know the world is actually being run, healed and directed by the many people we don't hear about. In this talk, you will be introduced to some women through history who have made their mark in their own way but have become lost to our knowledge along the way. From scientists through artists and politicians you will meet some new heroines.

Your speaker Ali Warren is a retired Drama teacher and lecturer who got interested in this topic whilst working on a play by Aphra Behn.

Please see your WI Secretary to apply and for payment options.

Members and Non-Members: £5.00
Closing Date: Monday 22 June 2026

27/04/2026

WILLOW WEAVING WORKSHOPS

Thursday 30 July 2026
10.00am to 1.00pm (Beginners) OR 2.00pm to 5.00pm (Advanced)
Cleeve Village Hall (A370), Cleeve Hill Road off Main Road, Cleeve, Bristol, BS49 4PF

Sarah Meikle is an experienced and qualified tutor of crafts, working mainly in willow, ceramics and textiles. Her background includes 24 years teaching as a Diversional Therapist with St. Margaret's Hospice, running a Crafts Club for Somerset Sight users, facilitating Adult Learning and Leisure classes, willow workshops at the Crafts4Crafters Show, and The Magdalen Project.

Sarah will run two workshops. The morning workshop will be aimed at beginners, and the afternoon workshop will offer more advanced techniques for anyone wishing to extend their skills.

Garden Willow Projects will include bird feeders/nesting material holders (barrel and cone style), plant supports (wigwam style or upright pillars), cane protector ends and/or wind spirals.

Tea and Coffee will be available for a donation.

Members Only: £36.50
Closing Date: Thursday 25 June 2026
Please apply through your WI Secretary

23/04/2026

REMINDER TO APPLY BY TUESDAY 5 MAY 2026!

VISIT TO THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
Thursday 11 June 2026
Arriving at 10.00am and leaving at 4.30pm

The National Memorial Arboretum is a British site of national remembrance at Alrewas, near Lichfield. It is a 150-acre site with over 400 memorials for people who served or supported the nation in times of need. Its objective is to honour the fallen, recognise service and sacrifice, and foster pride in His Majesty's Armed Forces and the associated civilian community.
The visit will include a 50-minute, pre-recorded guided tour on the Arobretum's land train, ideal for first-time visitors or those with mobility issues, allowing you to see many morials easily.

Members and Non-Members: £40.00
Closing Date: Tuesday 5 May 2026

Coach pick-ups:
7.00am Keynsham (Ashton Way Car Park)
7.30am Tesco Eastville
7.50am Almondsbury Bus Stop (A38 lay-by)

08/04/2026

PLEASE APPLY BY 17TH APRIL 2026 IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING US ON THIS HOLIDAY

THE INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE & HISTORY OF THE EAST MIDLANDS
5 Days from £719
Departing 5th October 2026

This holiday includes four nights half board accommodation at the 4* Delta by Marriott Belfry Hotel on the outskirts of Nottingham, all excursion travel & guided tours, and the entrance fees to non-National Trust properties. The holiday also includes executive coach throughout and Blue Badge guide on Days 2 to 4.
On this holiday we will visit Baddesley Clinton, Hardwick Hall and Packwood House (all National Trust properties), Cromford Mills, Crich Tramway Village, National Space Centre and Framework Knitters Museum amongst others.
There are limited places on this holiday which is expected to be popular amongst members, so don't miss the chance to book your place.

You can view and share this holiday online - click on 'View your Tour' at www.tailored-travel.co.uk and quote afwi262.

For more information please request a booking form by emailing federationholidays@avonfwi.org.uk or contact Sue Murphy, Tel: 0117 9864782.

24/03/2026

REMINDER TO APPLY!

2026 AFWI FEDERATION QUIZ
Thursday 14 May 2026 from 7.00pm prompt to 10.00pm
Conygre Hall, North Road, Timsbury, BA2 0DJ

Time to get your thinking caps on again and pit your wits against the crafty quizmaster and her quirky questions. So, get your team of four members ready for an evening of debating, head scratching, laughing, and finally coming up with hopefully the right answers.
There is a bar available and drinks must be purchased from there, but bring your own snacks and brain food.

There is a large car park, and the venue has accessible facilities.

Members Only: £20 per team (four members per team)
Closing Date: Thursday 30 April 2026

05/03/2026

Congratulations to the March 200 club winner 🥳🥳 Tickenham WI.

05/03/2026

DON'T FORGET TO APPLY!

Gardeners Question Time Evening
Wednesday 15 April 2026
From 7.00pm to 9.30pm
Longwell Green Community Centre, Shellards Road, Longwell Green, Bristol, BS30 9DU

A panel of Horticultural Experts will be available for members to ask all their questions about plants and general gardening. The panel will be made up of various experts with a range of backgrounds.

On arrival at registration, members are invited to hand in a clearly written question that can be put to the panel during the evening.

This is an evening not to be missed by all of you who are interested in gardening.

There will be a raffle at this event, with a gardening theme, and the Bar will be open.

Closing Date: Wednesday 11 March 2026

13/02/2026

Have you set up your WI Lottery yet? You've got to be in it to win it 🤞🤞. Join our Avon winner's so far in 2026 who've won £275 and 9 extra tickets between them. Good Luck everyone. https://www.thewilottery.co.uk/support/avon-federation-of-wis

13/02/2026

Have you set up your WI Lottery yet? You've got to be in it to win it 🤞🤞. Join our Avon winner's so far in 2026 who've won £275 and 9 extra tickets between them. Good Luck everyone.

AVON Federation of WIs is offering you the chance to win big prizes and help raise much needed funds.

13/02/2026

Looking Forward to seeing you all on Thursday 🙂

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DAY
Thursday 19 February 2026
10.15am (for a 10.30am start) to 3.30pm
Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, 57-59 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury, BA37
6AD
We have organised a day with various speakers on a range of topics.
The morning will include speakers from the St John Ambulance on ‘Bystanders Can Be
Lifesavers’, followed by a talk by Dr Laura Wade on ‘Understanding Autistic and ADHD
Women and Girls.’
In the afternoon, Hayley Scott, who was a Forensic Scientist with the Metropolitan
Police will share some of her experiences with us.
And much more - so another day not to be missed!
Coffee can be purchased on arrival and there will be a raffle.