CHESTFIELD WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

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My name is Sharon Goff and I had the pleasure of being re-elected by the members of the Chestfield Women’s Institute in March this year to be their President, for a further year, a honour I was very proud to accept.
 

I am relatively a newcomer to Chestfield having moved here a little over three years ago. I was not familiar with the area or knew anyone. I noticed the WI Hall one day when I was walking the dogs; I decided to give it a try. On my first visit I was welcomed by two members who looked after me and gave me such a warm welcome I decided to go back the following month and I have been a member ever since. The Chestfield WI have had a full and eventful past 12 months with numerous events which both the WI Members and the local Community enjoyed. I don't expect 2024 to be any less active, so why not come along and meet our lovely and friendly members and join in with a full list of activities and brilliant speakers who come along to present at Our Monthly Meeting.
 

Swalecliffe with Chestfield Women's Institute was formed in 1931 and following fundraising, the hall pictured above was built and opened in 1933.  In 2019 the members voted to change the name to Chestfield Women's Institute to reflect more accurately its location.  We have over 50 members, and visitors and new members receive a very warm welcome.  We meet in the hall on the second Wednesday of the month from 2.00pm to 4.00pm when the meeting starts with singing "Jerusalem" followed by the business section.  During the rest of the afternoon we hear from the speaker for the month, enjoy a chat with fellow members over a cup of tea, coffee and biscuits and we finish up with the raffle.  In November the meeting is passed to the Craft Group which involves making something festive.  Last year I think we all left covered in more glitter than the item we made, but we had great fun doing it.

As well as our regular meetings, most months we have a social get together hosted either by the committee or one of our groups which takes place normally over lunch or during the afternoon.  We recently held an afternoon Charity Event which was a great success and we welcomed in excess of 50 people some of whom were not WI members and the feedback was amazing.  We also hold an annual Fish and Chip supper in either February or March when friends and family are invited to join us.

We are a very friendly and welcoming group of women and each meeting is different so why not come along and join us, the first three months are free, you can then see if becoming a member of Our WI is something you would like to do.

Hopefully we will see you soon at one of the meetings.

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Sharon Goff

President - Since 2023

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Meetings this year will be held on the following dates, commencing at 2.00pm.

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8th January          Judi Knight - Stocking the Nation's Larder​

12th February      Helen Sharp - Silver jewellery maker with demonstration.

                               Plus, her jewellery will be available to buy​

12th March          Election of Officers - No speaker​

9th April               Tracie Fulton - History of Midwifery​

14th May              Lesley Colman - Local Author

                               Her books will be available to buy​

11th June               Julie Coleman - Beekeeping

                                Honey products will be available to buy​

9th July                  Lynn Gregory - Sign language​

13th August           Summer break - no speaker​

10th September    Peter Allen - Watching the Detectives

                                  A history of British TV Crime Fighters​

8th October          Thanet Earth​

12th November     Craft event - no speaker
10th December - Judi Knight - Christmas on the Home Front
 

All visitors are welcome.

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2025 FUTURE EVENTS

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Friday 14th March - Fish and chip supper 18:00 serving at 18:30.  Price to be confirmed later.​

Thursday 10th April - Craft Group, Hot Cross buns - 14:00 to 16:00 - £4​

Saturday 19th April - Easter Fayre, 14:00 to 16:00 - Details to follow​

Wednesday 28th May - Table Tennis Plant Sale - 10:00 to 12:00​

Friday 20th June - Art Group - Afternoon Tea - 14:00 to 16:00 - £8​

Friday 25th July - Book Club - Details to be confirmed - 14:00 to 16:00​

Wednesday 13th August - President's Charity Event - 14:00 to 16:00 - Details to follow​

Friday 15th August - Summer evening social - Details to be confirmed - 19:00 to 21:00​

Tuesday 23rd September - Keep Fit and Walking Groups - Harvest Lunch 12:30 to 14:30 - £8​

Monday 13th October - Games Group - Bingo or Beetle Drive 14:00 to 16:00  - Price tbc​

Thursday 6th November - Annual Theatre trip - Tina, the musical - Marlowe Theatre​

Wednesday 19th November - Committee - Homemade soup and roll 12:30 to 14:30 - £8​

Friday 28th November - Evening Social 18:00 to 20:00 - Making a Christmas Candle - Free​

Thursday 4th December - WI Christmas meal

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