Bagshot WI
WHO ARE WE?
We are a friendly group of ladies who meet on the first Thursday of every month at 2.00 p.m. for a 2.15 p.m. start at St. Anne’s Parish Hall in Church Road. Bagshot WI was founded in 1923, just eight years after the UK’s first WI was formed in Anglesey. We are a “Royal WI” as Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who lives in Bagshot is a member of our WI and joined us for our Centenary Celebrations in April 2023. More recently, Her Royal Highness came to make Christmas decorations and have tea with our members in December 2024. We have a lively and active WI but would love to welcome new members to keep the proud tradition of Bagshot WI going. Our members vary in age and we have several daughters who are following in their mother’s footsteps.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We provide members with entertaining and thought-provoking speakers, interesting craft and fun activities, friendship and conversation – all accompanied by a cup of tea! Our Craft Group, who meet weekly, produce the wonderful postbox toppers that adorn the box outside Bagshot Post Office. Other members maintain the Millennium Planter in the village square for all residents to enjoy. In addition, we get together for lunch regularly in local pubs and restaurants. Every member is provided with a programme of events for the next twelve months, and our future activities are also published on our Facebook page and on our WI Noticeboard in the village.
THE WIDER PICTURE
We are in the Chobham Ridges Group of WIs which includes several other local WIs. Each year one of these WIs hosts a group meeting with a special speaker or entertainer and an afternoon tea, to which members of the group WIs are invited. There is also an annual group competition to win the Group Rosebowl. Members from Chobham Ridges WIs may be invited to join their fellow WIs on outings or at special events too.
We are part of Surrey Federation of Women’s Institutes who arrange workshops at their Guildford Headquarters where you can learn a variety of skills and crafts or gain qualifications in catering. The Federation hold meetings, sometimes in person or over Zoom, twice a year with celebrity speakers. They publish a monthly magazine which gives details of workshops and events, special offers and interesting features plus news from WIs throughout Surrey.
The National Federation of Women’s Institutes also publish a magazine and run a range of on-line courses, lectures and training covering craft and cookery as well as a wide range of topics from astronomy to zoology.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Back in 1915 when the WI started, the plan was that the subscription should be less than the annual cost of a loaf of bread per week (nowadays around £55). We are delighted to say that this still holds true! However, if you would like to try us out before committing you can come along to three meetings at a cost of £3.00 per time before joining. In addition to the annual subs, we ask members to make a £1 donation each meeting to pay for the cost of refreshments.
HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?
If you would like to find out more, please contact our Secretary by emailing secretarybagshot@surreyfedwi.org.uk who will be happy to answer any questions you have, tell you what is happening at our next meeting or arrange to have a chat, or see our noticeboard near the library in the village.
Bagshot Village 