Inspiring women - then and now
The WI is a unique organisation shaped by its members.
In 1915, the WI set out to give women a voice and to be a force for good in the community.
Since then, our members and our ambitions alike have grown tremendously.
Today, the WI is the largest women’s organisation in the UK and we pride ourselves on being a trusted place for all women of all generations, to share experiences and learn from each other. A WI membership offers the opportunity to meet women in your local area in-person and virtually, to make friends and make a difference in your community. The WI campaigns nationally on a wide range of issues and provide life-long learning and self-development opportunities for women in England and Wales.
We meet the second Tuesday of each month (apart from August) at 7.30pm in Shapwick village hall.
Meet the Committee:
- Sue Sellick - President
- Barb Mills - Treasurer
- Mary Jane Hinchcliffe – Secretary
- Jane Walker – Book Club
- Pauline Richardson - Birthday posies
- Sheila Coles - Raffle
History of Shapwick WI
Shapwick (Starlets) WI was started on the 29th October 1925.
President – Miss Strangways of Shapwick Manor
Secretary – Miss Foxdern
Treasurer – Mrs Seamer (Vicar’s wife)
Miss Helen Strangways was visiting a friend in the New Forest, and was taken to a WI meeting with a friend as a guest. She was so impressed, she set up our WI and meetings were held in the Manor House.
Once established Miss Strangways kindly donated the barn to the village, now our village hall.
Shapwick Starlets today
Each month we have a speaker/activity, a competition relevant to the month’s theme, a raffle, refreshments and present birthday posies.
Previous speakers and activities have included FabDrumming, RNLI, Pilates, Wine tasting, flower arranging, Emma Britton (celebrant), Canine Carers and folding books.
Our activities include felting, Christmas cards/crackers, mosaics, quiz night, bingo, hedgehog house making.
We are a proactive village group providing cream teas for the Shapwick Jam and other village events. We decorate the St Mary’s Parish Church for Remembrance Sunday with hand crafted poppies. Recently we have replaced the WI bench in the churchyard as a place of reflection in memory of former members.
As members we have access to WI national online training courses, we also get the opportunity to volunteer at local events such as the Bath and West and Taunton Flower Show.
And there's more...
We also have a flourishing book club, which meets once a month.
We currently play walking netball once a week using Dovecote School facilities and have a regular walking group.
During the summer we try and arrange visits to local places of interest such as Hestercombe House, Burns the Bread, Glastonbury Festival site, Owen Barry and Drapers of Glastonbury.
We are lucky to have such a diverse range of ages from 40 to 85. Open to all ladies of all ages and we aim to cater for all tastes and adopt an inclusive approach.
Not all our members are residents of Shapwick so all are welcome.
Email: shapwickwickwi@yahoo.com
Messenger on Facebook: Shapwick Starlets WI
Shapwick Starlets Photo Gallery
