Whitley WI is a large and lively group of women. We have a busy programme of meetings and events which are designed to attract and involve the varying ages and interests of all our members. For a flavour of what we do please see our monthly newsletters.
We are always delighted to greet new members and can assure you of a warm and friendly welcome. Our committee members will introduce you to fellow members and make you feel really at home.
Our meetings are held at 7.30pm in Whitley Village Hall on the first Thursday of every month. Drop in and be sure of a welcome.
Whitley had a good turn out at this annual event and all enjoyed good company and an enjoyable hotpot lunch followed by a delicious selection of deserts provided by different WIs in the group. Our own Melanie opened and closed the event as Chair of the Village Group and guests included the new Chair of the Cheshire Federation, Ann Beckett. The event included a Bring and Buy stall – there wasn’t a lot left on that at the end of the meeting!
Book Club – Our novel this month was ‘The Queue’ by Alexandra Heminsley. ‘The Queue’ was for the Lying In State of Queen Elizabeth II. Four strangers met in the queue, each with their own reasons for being there, and each facing issues in their personal lives. They got to know each other as they queued and walked past many significant landmarks in London and established a good relationship with each other that we agree would continue – everybody enjoyed the book, an interesting light read.
Walking Group – Several ladies joined the walk for this month in the wonderful sunshine along the paths of Beechwood skirting the main train line heading south. The blossom on the trees where spectacular along the route. We headed through a little estate in Sutton Weaver where a few people where out in their gardens getting on with jobs in the lovely weather.
We entered Clough Wood where the floor was carpeted with wild garlic ready to come out with the bluebells having to take second place. Before passing the duck pond we stopped for a photo then made our way along the rather muddy path at the top of garlic wood back into beechwood, winding our way along the path to the Community Centre coffee shop for our lunch which we all thoroughly enjoyed. So nice to have been out in the fresh air without wearing a hat
Jean, our President, welcomed 41 members to the meeting. She thanked Jonty for organising the successful Afternoon Tea and reminded members that our committee would welcome input from members in planning our 2027 programme.
Our speaker was local artist Gill Adlington who soon had her audience totally engrossed as she transformed a canvas, pre-prepared with some black/white background, into a landscape painting, using oil paints and a ‘wet-on-wet’ technique.
Unfortunately there was insufficient interest in our planned coach trip to Trentham Gardens. Instead, on the same date 13th May ,we will visit Warrington Police Museum, followed by lunch at Grill on the Square, all timed to fit in with the No 9 Northwich bus service.
Following refreshments including hot cross buns the competition ‘Any Art Material’ was won by Annette with her 95 year old set of watercolour pencils. Our raffle included a number of knitted Easter rabbits/chicks, as well as the usual wide selection of other prizes.
Our May speaker will be David Poppitt telling us about the history of the Christie Hospital.
Art Group – Painting in the style of LS Lowry
Our Art Group had a go at painting in the style of LS Lowry – thanks to Sheila for the idea and for leading our group. Joan had also done some homework and shared some of her thoughts. An interesting change of genre. We each chose a Lowry print to inspire us.
Craft Group – Button Card
What a wonderful way to spend a spring afternoon. Not only did we have the doors open to let in the sunshine the finished colourful button cards reflected the weather. Melanie gave us a choice of blank cards and envelopes and a super selection of buttons to glue onto the cards. We even had Granny’s old tinful of buttons to sort through for something special.
Everyone had their own idea of how to decorate the card and our pictures of the afternoon show just what can be achieved in such a short time to say something special in our own handmade greeting card.
Book Club
Our March book was a Crime, Myster, Suspense thriller – ‘I did it for You’ by Jayne Cowie. An interesting novel, based around a new gene being discovered which led to a boy having very aggressive and violent behaviour – should a parent have their child tested to see if they carried the gene? Our group mostly thought the book was very interesting, and it scored highly over all. A book most agreed they wouldn’t have picked up from a library shelf, but were glad they had read it!
Walking Group
Thanks Ann for planning and leading our walk around Neumann’s Flash in Northwich on lovely Spring morning. Where the group photo was taken some small trees had been cut back to make sure walkers didn’t lose the fantastic views across the flash.
We really enjoyed seeing the some of the trees just sprouting their green leaves, and others displaying their spring blossom, the pussy willow catkins were really spectacular. The group went on to enjoy a lovely lunch at the George and Dragon in Budworth.
We welcomed 45 members and 3 guests, an excellent turnout. Our speaker was Philip Lawrence talking to us about Cyber Safety, an important issue for everyone.He delivered a practical talk where he introduced us to websites where we could safely check out some of the concerns we might have about messages/websites that we have concerns about reading/accessing. We had been encouraged to bring along our mobiles/tablets so we could check out issues with his help on hand and this proved very useful. The Vote of Thanks was given by Pat Sharp
Members were reminded that subscriptions for 2026 are now due, and were invited to sign up for the many activities on offer – Afternoon Tea at Dormouse Haven, May outing to Trentham Gardens, Theatre trips and subgroups. Volunteers were requested for our teams on the CFWI Quiz and Bowls completions.
Last month we voted for our preferred resolution, and the CFWI feedback echoed our thoughts, overwhelming support for ‘Accessible Public Toilet facilities’.
The competition was won by Chris Spittle, with a very old padlock which came from Kin Farm, dating back to 1520. Chris saved it as a treasured reminder of the farms’s delapidated state when she bought it! Our next meeting is on Thursday 2nd April when Gilll Adlington will be talking to us about ‘Art for All’
