Although Sway WI is one of the oldest in the country (formed in 1918) it is still evolving. We offer a warm welcome to potential new members, who can come along to meetings before making the decision to join us. The meetings are held in the Village Hall, Middle Road Sway at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month except for August.
For our meetings we have an interesting and varied programme of speakers (see below). The meeting includes a monthly raffle, Flower of the Month competition and refreshments. Throughout the month there are also a range of regular activities including: Darts, Quizzes, Skittles, Walking Netball and Bowls as well as various Crafts and a Pub lunch.
Each year there is a wide a selection of outings (including theatre trips and visits to gardens and places of special interest). We also take part in Group activities with Brockenhurst, Bashley, New Milton Sands and Barton Bees which include the New Forest Show, annual WI and village competitions.
Programme 2019 – 2020
- 13th June Garden Party 6:30pm start
- 11th July Martial Arts for Women by Adrian Starr
- 12th September Mouth and Foot Artist Tom Yendell
- 10th October Kerry Witt Chocolatier – A demonstration with tasting
- 14th November The Longest Journey by Rail by Howard Nichols
- 12th December Christmas Party entertainment provided by the MUSK Ukelele Group
- 9th January The Sway WI Revue – Sketches, music, comedy and poems by WI members
- 13th February The Green Bicycle Murder – Paul Stickler
- 12th March The Lives of Extraordinary Women in Italy – Manuela Zucchi
- 9th April Herbs Kate Parker (Herbalist)
- 14th May Annual General Meeting
News
Although we have reached the end of our centenary year we are still evolving. Waking Netball and Bowls have provided additional physical activities. We take part in village activities currently we are knitting to support the Sway Yarn Bombing which will take place in support of this year’s carnival. Our latest outing is to Mottisfont Abbey Gardens to see the recently replanted walled gardens. We are always looking for new activities to try so we welcome suggestions and ideas from any of our membership. Why not visit our Facebook page for more pictures and details of our activities. Scroll to the bottom of this page for a direct link.
Pictures from other activities this year WI year
Earlier activities
A Day In The Life of A W.I. Member
It’s nigh on impossible in many a way
To express in short verse what we do in a day.
It’s simpler perhaps in a negative fashion
To tell of the things we DON’T do with a passion.
We do NOT hang back when it comes to new friends
It’s not that it’s something W.I. recommends –
It happens quite naturally in all ladies’ meetings
That everyone’s abundantly full of good greetings.
It ISN’T our style to be lazy and slow;
Continually having ideas on the go –
Projects to finish, new projects to start,
In between, cakes, which are state of the art.
Making and sewing, entering classes,
Competing with others, creating our chances
NOT political movers nor corporate shakers,
We prefer helping hands, to be care crusaders.
So our social antennae look out for the needs
And we fundraise together and donate the proceeds.
We are NOT against nature, we embrace its real beauty
We’re crazy about flowers and veggies and fruit-y.
We do NOT spurn the present or past
Cultural visits give us memories to last
In the end a verse can express all this action
For we ladies can daily create satisfaction.