Latest News
Great Yorkshire Show 2025
8th to 11th July 2025
Draft Schedule - Download a copy here
Maximum of 3 entries per WI in all categories
Craft: A picture made from natural materials mounted no larger than A4
including mount, i.e. think flowers, wool, seeds etc.
Recycling: Repurpose a container to give it another useful life with a note stating
“original and new purpose”. Maximum size 15 cm x 15 cm x 30 cm high.
Knitting/ Crocheting
A knitted or crocheted animal: this need NOT be a toy for a child to play with but could also be e.g. a doorstop, could be something like a stuffed and mounted animal head.
Craft: A fabric draught excluder to fit a standard door – embellish as you wish.
Floral: A welcome planter – fresh plant material, internal diameter 25 cm (Remember you have to carry it).
Floral: An arrangement of fresh flowers in a jam jar to brighten your kitchen table.
Baking: A Crunchy Top Lemon Cake – set recipe below
4 pieces of Tray Bake – please submit the recipe.
3 different preserves on a board supplied by us – minimum jar size 8 oz.
Special Class: Not to be judged. “Something I made earlier”. Can be any craft just to be
displayed to showcase our WI members’ talents.
Closing date for entries of Crafts, Recycling, Knitting/Crocheting and Special Class to be at Alma House for judging is Thursday 12th June 2025.
Baking and Floral entries should be taken to the Yorkshire Showground on either Sunday 6th July between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm or Monday 7th July between 9.00 am and 12.00 noon.
Set Recipe for A Crunchy Top Lemon Cake
4oz soft margarine
6oz caster sugar
6oz SR flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
4 tbsp milk
Finely grated rind of 1 lemon
For the Crunchy Topping
Juice of 1 lemon
4oz caster or granulated sugar
Pre heat oven 180oC/ 350oF/Gas 4
Lightly grease and base line a 7", deep, round, cake tin or 2lb loaf tin.
Measure all the ingredients into a large bowl and beat well but not too fast for about 2mins until well blended.
Turn the mix into the tin and level the top.
Bake 35-40 minutes
Whilst the cake is baking make the topping by mixing together the lemon juice and sugar.
When the cake comes out of the oven spread the lemon paste over the top whilst the cake is still hot
Leave in the tin until the cake is cold.
WI Lottery launched - Sept 2024
National Federation launched its lottery on 16 September—please see page 35 of the September edition of WI Life and the booking form for the Lottery Workshop on 19th November at Alma House or via Zoom, from 2-4 pm and 7-9pm. Booking form is in the mailing or download a Word copy here or download a PDF copy here.
You can also purchase ticket here - remember to choose either your own WI, North Yorkshire West Federation or NFWI as "your good cause" to receive 60p of your ticket.
NFWI DEVELOPING OUR STRATEGIC VISION 2025-2030
Shaping your movement
Extract from documnet
Why do we need a strategy?
2020 saw the first NFWI strategy and some of you rightly asked why we needed one. I know for some it felt a bit ‘corporate’ and perhaps remote from our day-to-day experience of the joy of the WI. However, if there is one thing that our rich history teaches us is it is that we influence change most effectively when we all focus together, across our membership, on the same areas. When we work collectively and with one purpose and one voice…then we are unstoppable. The strategic plan aims simply to do just that. We know we need to work hard to keep our organisation growing and evolving and the aim of the plan is to focus on the 3 or 4 areas where you feel we can have the greatest impact if we invest our time and energy.
The full strategy document can be downloaded here.
How long have you got?
The consultation for the next strategic plan will run from WI Day 2024 (16th September) to 1st March 2025. The data collated during that time will inform the final plan which will be launched on WI Day 2025. We hope this gives you enough time to reflect on the consultation and share your views in whichever way works best for you.
How do you share my views?
We are happy for you to share your views in the way that works best for you. We have a dedicated email address where you can email your feedback: Vision@nfwi.org.uk but if you prefer to call us or write a letter then feel free to contact us at on 020 7371 9300 or at NFWI, 104 New Kings Road, London, SW6 1LY.
WI Learning Hub - Formerly Denman On-Line
The WI Learning Hub is accessible to all WI Members and a lot of course are FREE provided that your email address is registered on the MCS. Below is information provided by NFWI on up and coming courses and also how to use this resource which is part of your membership.
WI Learning Hub - Upcoming Courses
Bank Questionaires
Barclays Bank and others may follow are sending out questionaires for completion regarding WI Bank Accounts. This is part of their complaince to banking regulations designed to ensure bank accounts are not being used for Money Laundering or Criminal Activity.
You need to complete these - if you have any queries please contact Hazel Smyth Federation Treasurer