President : Maureen Coles; Secretary : Pauline Bailey
 (01604) 494160  (01604) 643805

There are two Women’s Institutes or W.I.s covering the villages of Sywell & Overstone. The older of the two the Afternoon Group meets on the first Thursday of each month 2.00pm in Overstone Village Hall and celebrates its 80th Anniversary in 2004. The President is Julie Chatfield has who has completed many years of service within the Group. For further information her telephone number is (01604) 643708.

The Evening W.I. meets on the 2nd Tuesday in each month at 8.00pm in Overstone Village Hall, and is a thriving, growing group of some 42 Members at the last count. Membership is drawn from surrounding areas as well as Sywell & Overstone. This group celebrates its 40th (Ruby) Anniversary in March 2004 and will be organising an event to mark the occasion in June. Primarily the W.I. was founded to serve women living in rural communities, but this is changing with more groups forming in urban areas, where there is a need for community groups for young mothers and those who go to work to meet and enjoy a wide variety of interests. The W.I. nationally is the largest female lobbying group and is often consulted by the government and other organisations when new legislation is being drafted or companies require female input into future strategies and products to be launched.

A wide and varied programme is available to members each year, with the opportunity to participate in workshops, walks, learning new skills, some practical, some fun (archery, white water rafting, Morris dancing, mahjong etc are a few of those on offer during the past year) both through our own group and those held countywide. Skittles and Darts knockout tournaments are held each winter, together with Community Involvement Projects, Challenge Trophies, day trips and concerts etc, giving Members the opportunity of meeting those from other groups across the county and the UK. Walks, meals, concerts, ‘hands on’ craft evenings, international evenings, ten pin bowling, visits to local events etc are on offer with the Sywell & Overstone Group. If you lack a social life the W.I. is the organisation to join!

A Committee of 10 Ladies organise the yearly programme and monthly meetings, and have a lot of fun doing so. These are elected on yearly basis together with the President.

Membership is open to everyone for an annual fee of £20. More information about the W.I. or the local group can be obtained by contacting the President on (01604) 494160 or the Secretary on (01604) 643805.

MAUREEN COLES
PRESIDENT

Meetings Held 8.00pm - 2nd Tuesday each month in Overstone Village Hall