Avon Federation of WIs

DON'T FORGET TO APPLY! CLOSING DATE 17 AUGUST 2026

VISIT TO NEWPORT MEDIEVAL SHIP AND TREDEGAR HOUSE
Wednesday 23 September 2026

Following the success of the AFWI History Talk, last October, about the Newport Medieval Ship, we have arranged a visit to see it in person. We will travel by coach to The Ship Centre in Newport for a guided tour and then go on to Tredegar House.
The tour at The Ship Centre will be in groups of 12-14 and there will be refreshments available for the groups waiting. For more information follow the link: https://www.newportship.org/

Following on from the Medieval Ship we are going to Tredegar House which is a National Trust property a short distance from Newport. We will arrive at the Mansion House and Gardens around lunchtime. The cafe is not large, so a packed lunch may be an idea and there are picnic facilities outside the cafe.

Admission to the grounds is free and admission for entry to the house is £14.00 for non-members of the National Trust. For more information about Tredegar House follow the link: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/Tredegar-house

Members and Non-Members: £23.00
Closing Date: Monday 17 August 2026

Coach pick-ups: 8.50am at Keynsham and 9.30am at Almondsbury. We aim to leave Tredegar House by 4.00pm.
Please apply through your WI Secretary

REMINDER TO APPLY! CLOSING DATE MONDAY 3 AUGUST 2026.

2026 AFWI ANNUAL MEETING

Tuesday 15 September 2026
From 10.15am to 3.30pm
Winter Gardens, Royal Parade, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1AJ

Following the Business element of the meeting, we have some interesting speakers, in no particular order you will be hearing from:

Lindsey Cole, an adventurer, children's author, and environmental activist known for her bold mermaid campaigns tackling river and ocean pollution. After cuting her hand on plastic whilst free-diving, Lindsey swam the length of the Thames to raise awareness of the plastic crisis. She rescued a drowning cow enroute, which inspired her first book, 'The Mermaid and the Cow'.

Amanda Parr, a well-known face on our TV screens, has recently risen to the Senior Presenter role on BBC Points West. She's interviewed everyone from Prime Ministers to local heroes - as well as reporting breaking news! Amanda will be sharing reflections on a career spent at the heart of our local community - taking us behind the lens to reveal what really happens when the cameras are rolling, and what goes on when (thankfully) they aren't!

Melissa Green - Chief Executive (CEO) NFWI.

Along with some interesting stalls for you to enjoy some retail therapy, we will also have a Bra 'Recycling' Bank at the meeting, for clean unwanted bras - in support of the Against Breast Cancer Charity.

Tea and coffee will be available on arrival, around the top circle of the Ballroom, we respectfully request that you give a donation. Members to make their own arrangements for lunch.
Note: St John Ambulance First Aiders will be in attendance.

Members Only: £21.00 (Note: each WI can send one delegate for free)
Closing Date: Monday 3 August 2026
Please apply through your WI Secretary

AFTER THE VOTE: INSPIRING WOMEN OF THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT AND BEYOND

Thursday 22 October 2026
From 10.00am to 12.00noon
Long Ashton Community Centre, Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9DP

Join us for a 'Coffee and Cake' morning with Lucienne Boyce. Lucienne writes historical fiction, non-fiction and biographies. Her historical fiction reflects her interest in stories of 'ordinary' people, and histories of reform and protest. In non-fiction, she has a particular interest in women's history and the women's suffrage movement, and is keen to tell the stories of the lesser-known individuals involved in that movement.

For many women the campaign for the vote was just one of a range of issues that guided their lives and work. In this talk, Lucienne will be discussing some of the women whose life-long commitments to progressive causes have inspired her own work.

Tea/Coffee and cake will be served.

Members and Non-Members: £12.00
Closing Date: Thursday 17 September 2026

WIRE WORK WORKSHOP

Thursday 3 December 2026
10.00am to 1.00pm
The Conygre Hall, North Road, Timsbury, Nr Bath, BA2 0JQ

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the return of another Christmas crafting event! Following last year's fantastic success - and your overwhelming requests - we are delighted to welcome back the incredibly talented Holly Berkley. Holly is a master wire worker and teacher with 38 years of experience.

This year, Holly will guide us in creating a beautiful small tree sculpture made of wire and elegantly set on a large pebble. It makes a perfect personalised festive gift, or a lovely keepsake for your own home. We have extended this workshop to nearly three hours and so you will have plenty of time to finish your piece, relax, and admire everyone's creations.

Suitable for all abilities, all tools and materials are supplied.
Tea and coffee will be provided.

Members Only: £37.00
Closing Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026

CLOSING DATE IS FAST APPROACHING! APPLY BEFORE MONDAY 22 JUNE 2026

ZOOM EVENT: THE FORGOTTEN WOMEN OF HISTORY
Thursday 25 June 2026
Zoom: 7.00pm to 8.30pm

They say history is written by the winners, but we know the world is actually being run, healed and directed by the many people we don't hear about. In this talk, you will be introduced to some women through history who have made their mark in their own way but have become lost to our knowledge along the way. From scientiststhrough artists and politicians you will meet some new heroines.

Your speaker Ali Warren is a retired Drama teacher and lecturer who got interested in this topic whilst working on a play by Aphra Behn.

Please see your WI Secretary to apply and for payment options.
Members and Non-Members: £5.00
Closing Date: Monday 22 June 2026

THE HISTORY & HERITAGE OF SHROPSHIRE & IRONBRIDGE
5 Days from £699
Departing 26th April 2027

This holiday includes four nights half board accommodation at the 4* Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, located in a countryside setting near the village of Albrighton, all excursion travel & guided tours, and the entrance fees to non-National Trust properties. The holiday also includes executive coach throughout, a Blue Badge guide on Days 2 to 4 and a train excursion on Day 3.

On this holiday we will visit Attingham Park (National Trust), Ironbridge, Stokesay Castle, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, visit the Wedgwood Factory and enjoy a trip on the Severn Valley Steam Railway, amongst others.

There are limited places on this holiday which is expected to be popular amongst members, so don't miss the chance to book your place.

You can view and share this holiday online - click on 'View your Tour' at www.tailored-travel.co.uk and quote afwi271.
For more information please request a booking form by emailing [email protected] or contact Sue Murphy, Tel: 0117 9864782.

Welcome to the new Westbury-on-Trym WI venue!

Meeting on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 2.00pm in:
Oatley Hall (Atrium)
St Monica Trust Village Cote Lane
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol BS9 3UN

For further information
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0117986 4782

Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes is seeking to recruit a Finance Officer for its Office in Keynsham:
- This is a permanent position, subject to a six month probation period.
- It is essential that applicants are fully competent in using Xero/Office/Word/Excel.
- Monday to Thursday 16 hours per week.
- Pay £14 per hour (depending on experience).
- Eligibility to work in the UK (documentation required).

For further information, please contact WI House for a Job Description and application form:
- Email: [email protected]
- Closing date for applications: Monday 27 July 2026

VISIT TO NEWPORT MEDIEVAL SHIP AND TREDEGAR HOUSE
Wednesday 23 September 2026

Following the success of the AFWI History Talk, last October, about the Newport Medieval Ship, we have arranged a visit to see it in person. We will travel by coach to The Ship Centre in Newport for a guided tour and then go on to Tredegar House.

The tour at The Ship Centre will be in groups of 12-14 and there will be refreshments available for the groups waiting. For more information follow the link: https://www.newportship.org/

Following on from the Medieval Ship we are going to Tredegar House which is a National Trust property a short distance from Newport. We will arrive at the Mansion House and Gardens around lunchtime. The cafe is not large, so a packed lunch may be an idea and there are picnic facilities outside the cafe.

Admission to the grounds is free and admission for entry to the house is £14.00 for non-members of the National Trust. For more information about Tredegar House follow the link: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/Tredegar-house

Members and Non-Members: £23.00
Closing Date: Monday 17 August 2026

Coach pick-ups: 8.50am at Keynsham and 9.30am at Almondsbury. We aim to leave Tredegar House by 4.00pm.

Please apply through your WI Secretary

2026 AFWI CHAIRMAN'S ROSE BOWL
WIs are invited to nominate a WI member who has, whilst a member, gone 'above and beyond' for their WI, demonstrating outstanding skills, commitment, leadership or initiative. The member may also be involved with the local community.

Guidelines for submission:
- The application should be written in 12 Point font, up to 500 words, on an A4 sheet of paper.
- The word count should be included as a footnote; with the name of the nominated member and the WI they attend.

Please email your word-processed entries to [email protected] by Thursday 6 August 2026
The winner will be announced at the 2026 AFWI Annual Meeting on Tuesday 15 September 2026.