Abbotswood (Romsey) WI

We hold monthly meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the main hall at Abbotswood Community Centre and have a varied programme throughout the year. Meetings often involve a talk or demonstration from a speaker, activities or a social evening. Our programme and annual membership runs from April – April.

As well as our main meetings, we have lots of different member-run sub-groups that you can join too. These include:

• Book Group
• Craft Socials (bring your own craft to work on)
• Craft Workshops (learn something new)
• Games Group
• Lunch Group
• Supper Group
• Theatre Group
• Walking Group

We also take part in the annual inter-WI skittles tournament and quiz, get involved with Hampshire WI events, plus work on entries for the WI Tent at the Romsey Show. So there’s lots to get involved with if you’d like to!

We’re pleased to be known as a friendly WI and are always happy to welcome visitors and new members. Visitors can come along to up to three main meetings for free before signing up to join us (a donation for tea/coffee and cake is welcome).

Our Programme of Events

2025 Meetings

14 January – Sourdough and Local Food, with Liz Trueman from 108 The Bakery

11 Feburary – Cyber Watch: How To Spot a Scam and What To Do, with Trevor Brookes

11 March – Forever Young: Your Brain Is Your Best Asset, with Penny Ellison

8 April – Easter Chocolate, with Debbie Towlson

13th May – Mad About Bats, with Lena Griffiths

10 June – Get More Out Of Your WI and AGM, talk by Donna and Jeanette

8 July – How Do You Take Yours? with Jane Glennie & birthday tea party

August – No main meeting, but Croquet event instead.

9 September – Tales From An Oscar-winning Hair and Makeup Artist, with Sarah Monzani

14 October – How To Reduce Energy Use, with Eleanor Wilde from Transition Town Romsey

11 November – Come and Shake Your Pompoms, with Chrissy Williams

9 December – Pantomime: The Great British Tradition, with Wayne Newport

Past Meetings

2024

10 Dec 2024 – Xmas Celebrations

12 Nov 2024 – Anecdotes Of A Lifetime in Education, with Robbie Sprague

8 Oct 2024 – Handbags: A Historical Journey, with Sarah Delves

10th Sept 2024 – Workhouses in Romsey, with Trish Foreman

August 2024 – No main meeting, but Skittles evening instead (details TBA)

9th July 2024 – Birthday Celebrations and Short AGM

11th June 2024- It Shouldn’t Happen To A Vet, with Gillian Taylor

14th May 2024 – The Pleasure Of Weeding, with David Standing

9th April 2024 – Tai Chi taster evening, with Malcolm Calvert

12th March 2024 – The Suffragettes, a theatrical talk by Jane Glennie

13th February 2024 – Life as a King’s Bodyguard, a talk by Alan Saunders

9th January 2024 – Making Memories, Tracing Your Ancestry with Susan Waldron

12th December 2023 – Puppet Making for Film & TV, a talk by Wayne Eagles

14th November 2023 – House of Colour, sustainable fashion and creating a capsule wardrobe, with Judi Cordell

10th October – Romsey in WW2, a talk by local historian, Phoebe Merrick

11th July 2023 – Seventh Birthday Celebrations and music from the Romsey Ukuele Band

9th May 2023 – An Uplifting Experience, buying the perfect bra, with Bradbeers

11th April 2023 – Talk about Coco Chanel, by Steve Harra.

14th March 2023 – Talk by The Freedom Church about The Romsey Foodbank and their work with other charities

14th February 2023 – Unleash Your Inner Tiger!

10th January 2023 – Sustainable Products and Cleaning Tips with Lemon & Jinja