Our WI was formed in March 1919 and we currently have over 30 members. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm in the Parish Room, St Mary’s Church, Old Basing, RG24 7DJ. There is parking on the main street with disabled access on an incline leading to the building. A typical meeting normally runs for 2 hours.
EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT….
Old Basing celebrated its 100th Birthday on the 2nd March 2019 by having a big celebration at Old Basing Village Hall. 61 Members and guests, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke had a wonderful afternoon tea, with live music supplied by The Basing Singers, who started us off with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem in which we all joined in. This was followed by 100 years of music right up to date with some of the songs from the musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Finished off with a toast of Prosecco to which we sang Happy Birthday. The Mayor, Sean Keating unveiled a wonderful wall hanging made by our craft group for us all to see and admire. This will be hung in the Parish Rooms at St Mary’s Church, Old Basing where we hold our meetings.
On the 5th March 2019 we had our own private party at our meeting with, yet another marvellous cake made by one of our members, Christine. Each member was given a fine bone china trinket box marking this special occasion. Our cake in true WI fashion was made by our talented member Christine.
This is the start of a wonderful Centenary Year with lots of fun things coming up in the year ahead.
April, along with the showers of rain brought a happy young woman called Zoe with her MDD Dog called Stowe. Zoe has POTS and Stowe knows if Zoe needs to take her medication so that she does not have an attack. Since she brought Stowe into her life last August she has kept really well with no hospital admissions. I’m afraid Stowe was the star of the show.
If you join in July, membership for the year 2019 is £21.00, and this cost is reduced if you join later in the year as a new member of the WI. The yearly subscription entitles you to 12 monthly meetings where we have a varied programme of speakers, demonstrations and social events. We also have a monthly newsletter from Hampshire Federation and 8 editions of WI Life produced by our National Federation. Both publications provide information on WIs activities happening locally and nationally, as well as advertising updates on WI campaigns, upcoming events and competitions for members’ interest.
Old Basing WI is part of Loddon group which consists of 16 WIs. Belonging to a group enables us to network with other members of nearby WIs with the added opportunity to attend group meetings in the spring and autumn. There is an extra small charge to attend these. Loddon group also takes part in the Federation-led group quiz nights and skittles and darts competitions as well as arranging educational outings and events.
As members of Hampshire Federation we have the opportunity to purchase tickets to attend spring and autumn Federation meetings held at the Portsmouth Guildhall and the Anvil in Basingstoke respectively. Speakers at these events usually include well known public figures.
The National Federation host their annual meeting at various venues around the country and in Wales. Members from every WI can apply to be a delegate or an observer at these meetings.
As well as our monthly meetings, Old Basing WI also arrange theatre outings, garden visits and day trips to places of interest. We have a craft group which meets once a month and a regular walking group (see details below). As a member you can take part in these extra activities, as well as having access to events and competitions arranged through Hampshire Federation and our National Federation.
Why not come along to one of our meetings? We are very friendly and would love to see you!
PROGRAMME
4 June 2019
- Bringing Home Uncle Jack. Tracing his life from the Farm to the Battle of the Somme
- Competition An Item from WW1
2 July 2019
- Annual Garden Party at a Members Garden
- Competition – A Pudding
6 August 2019
- Talk – Motorway Cop: Thrills & Spills
- Speaker – Alan Purkiss
- Competition – Car Related Item
3 September 2019
- Talk – Introduction to the work of the Hants & IoW Wildlife Trust
- Speaker – Hazel Fotheringham
- Competition Wildlife photo taken in Hampshire
COFFEE MORNINGS, WALKING GROUP, CRAFT GROUP AND EVENTS PLANNED
4 June 2019
- Members Meeting – 7.30pm
- Venue – The Parish Rooms, St Mary’s Church, Old Basing
11 June 2019
- Coffee Morning at 11.00am
- Venue – Conkers
- Walk – to meet at the Hatch Pub Car park at 10.30am then back to Conkers for Coffee (if dry weather)
15 June 2019
- Old Basing Carnival where we will have a stall of Bakes and Makes
- Venue – The Recreation Ground at Old Basing
18 June 2019
- Coffee & Lunch from 11.00am
- Venue – Conkers (LUNCH THIS MONTH ONLY AT CONKERS)
25 June April 2019
- Coffee
- Venue – Conkers
2nd July 2019
- Coffee Morning at 11.00am
- Venue – Conkers
2nd July 2019
- Monthly Meeting (But a special )
- Venue – At Iris Harman’s for our Garden Meeting
CRAFT GROUP
26th June 2019
Acetates. Meet at the Cow Byre, Basing House 11.00am to 1pm Cost £2.00
NEW MEMBERS TO THE CRAFT GROUP ARE WELCOME