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). There is a monthly raffle and Flower of the month competition and refreshments. Throughout the month we have a range of regular activities including: Darts, Quizzes, Skittles, undertake a variety of Crafts and go for a monthly 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
| Date | Talk | Speaker |
| 14 June 2018 | Campaign to Coronets | Andy Barrett |
| 12 July 2018 | “Southampton Pilgrims” | Geoff Wheeler |
| 13 September 2018 |
Part 1 Centenary tree planting with time capsule at 7pm Part 2 Out of Africa 8pm |
Ann Dew |
| 11 October 2018 | “Swimming the English Channel” | Deborah Herridge |
| 08 November 2018 | University of the Third Age | Hilvery Robinson |
| 13 December 2018 | Christmas Party celebrating Sway WI 100 Year Anniversary | Exhibition and Talk from members |
| 11 January 2019 | 10 by 3 Life Experiences | 3 Members of Sway WI |
| 14 February 2019 | Saving the Hedgehog | Christine Turner |
| 14 March 2019 | Pop Politics and Parties behind the Scene at Eurovision | Gordon Lewis |
| 11 April 2019 | Social Evening | |
| 9 May 2019 | Annual Meeting | |
| Date | Upcoming Events | |
| Tuesday Afternoons | Craft Sessions All Welcome | Upstairs in WI Room |
| Third Thursday in the Month at 7:30 | Book Club | Upstairs in WI Room |
| Last Thursday in the Month | Lunch sign up at the meeting lifts can be arranged | Variety of Local Venues |
News
In our Centenary year we started our activities with a dinner in February which was well attended. Many made contributions for the Cake Stall held on Easter Saturday in aid of this year’s charity. We had been kept busy over the winter months preparing crafts, jams, savoury and sweet items for the Group Exhibition held in Sway Village Hall in April. Our members are still very busy making plans for the tree planting and time capsule which will take place in September. As usual suggestions and ideas of new things to do are always welcomed 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.