Your latest national WI news

Issue 20: March 2022

Welcome to March's newsletter! This month you can find out all the details about how to knit WInnie the corgi, our special project to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. We're also marking Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month throughout March as part of our See The Signs campaign. For all this plus springtime craft projects, recipes and more, keep scrolling!

Where's WInnie? Join our knitting project to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee!

We're excited to launch Where's WInnie? an interactive craft project to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year. Keen knitters are invited to knit WInnie the corgi, and hide her in their local community for others to find, keep or donate! WInnie has been created by Woolwich and Plumstead Roses member Hannah Joyce, who created the pattern with sustainability in mind, as knitters are encouraged to use up their yarn stash to make WInnie. The corgis will be hidden from 1 May and there will be one special corgi to find which will entitle the finder to two tickets to a flagship Big Jubilee Lunch over the Bank Holiday Weekend in June! Find the pattern to knit WInnie, and all the other details on page 43 of March's WI Life magazine.

Peek inside WI Life

The March issue of WI Life magazine has landed with members! This month's cover star is crafting queen and Denman tutor Pat Lumsdale. Read Pat's interview, get a snapshot of the latest NFWI Annual Review, get baking with our recipes this month and more!

Read the digital edition here.

Browse our Denman at Home courses
Fancy learning a new craft skill, joining a ukulele sing-along, learning about a part of the world you've always wanted to visit or trying yoga and qigong? Take a look at our Denman at Home online educational courses led by expert tutors.

Take me to Denman's website.

Calling for an end to violence against women

Last week marked one year since Sarah Everard's murder. Sarah’s death sparked a national conversation around women’s safety, and our right to exist in public or private spaces without the fear of violence. Yet over the last 12 months we have lost at least 125 women to male violence and only a few of their names have reached the headlines.

To pay tribute to Sarah and all the women that have died, Surrey Virtual Vixens WI created bunting with the names and faces of all 125 women and displayed it around the bandstand in Clapham Common. We will continue to campaign to end the scourge of violence against women and demand that more is done to create a world that is truly safe for women. Thank you to Surrey Vixens VWI and the Counting Dead Women project for this powerful work and moving tribute.

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
This month we're raising awareness of the subtle signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. These symptoms are not always easy to recognise, due to them being similar to other conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or menopause. We would like to thank the members who have shared their stories of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and what the early symptoms were like for them. Read Barbara and Fran's experiences on our website.

Get creative!

Naturally dyed fabric wrap

Upcycle old cotton and linens with natural dye to make your furoshiki wrap ideal for Mother's Day or spring birthdays. The wonderful thing about this craft is the wrap will be reusable to whoever is lucky enough to receive it!

Click here for the step-by-step instructions.

Seasonal recipe: Potato & Leek Dauphinoise

Make this simple and hearty leek and potato dish, which is great for sharing!

Click here for the recipe.

What's it like to be in the WI?

Are you thinking about joining your local WI but want to find out more about what it's like to be a WI member? Visit the WI profiles on our website! This month we're profiling Birchgrove WI based in Cardiff, who have been running since 2012.
Read their story here.

Want to learn more about the WI? Follow us on social media for daily updates

Are you looking for something new in 2022? How about joining your local WI or a virtual one! Forge friendships, learn new skills, have your voice heard and make a difference in your community. WI members are entitled to a great range of benefits.

Find out more

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