Events

Non members £32 Join us for a festive-inspired introduction to Hardanger Embroidery with Karen Odinga. This method of counted, cut, and filled stitching takes its name from the area surrounding the Hardanger fjord in western Norway. The embroidery designs are geometric and arranged in simple or complex ways. Using just some of the basic stitches, […]

Non Members £47 On this bread making course you will learn, and take home, white and brown bread, bun dough, naan breads, pittas and flatbreads.  You will be working with dried and fresh yeast.  Your tutor Hilary Hicks, who has been teaching cookery for 30 years, has a passion for baking and loves passing on […]

Non members £39 Another in our Heritage Craft series, this is the first time we are offering this technique.  The workshop begins with the history of canal art before practicing strokes that make up the design and finish with painting a tea pot.  Worksheets and all materials and equipment included.  Participants need only to be […]

Non members £22 A wonderful opportunity to see the famous Hedingham Castle snowdrops and experience a private tour of the Castle itself with one their historians.  Ticket price includes tea/coffee and a cake in the Keep Tea Room. Access - Some parts of the grounds present varying degrees of difficulty for those with mobility issues, […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

The Osteoporosis Assessment Service will be visiting WI Centre with their heel ultrasound scanner (McCue CUBAClinical) which does not use X-rays but safe ultrasound signals. The bone density measured in the heel is strongly related to the hip and spine and is an excellent surrogate scanning site for osteoporosis assessments.  A small amount of ultrasound […]

Non members £31.50 Straw plaiting is a heritage craft and we are pleased to welcome Paul, a master thatcher to lead this workshop. This is the first time we have offered this craft at WI centre. Your day will start with preparing the straw to enable it to be plaited. The techniques of plaiting, joining […]

Are you interested in the history of the WI?  Or do you keep your WI's archives and need advice?  Or maybe you want an exclusive close up look at the fabulous archive items held at WI Centre?  This is your opportunity!  Sit down to hear a potted history of the WI followed by hints and […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

Non members £24 Some of you might remember your grandparents making a rug from rags and now you have an opportunity to learn this skill yourself. You will be making a small pompom which can be turned into a brooch or a hanging decoration. Lynne ​will bring a mixture of colours and all the equipment […]

Would you like more information about the chosen resolution? Would you like your WI to make an informed decision when voting? Come and discuss the pros and cons of this year's selected resolution - Bystanders Can be Lifesavers. Bystanders Can be Lifesavers There are over 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests a year in the […]

Are you a new treasurer for your WI?  Or have you been doing it for a while and are still unsure about things?  Come along to WI Centre and we will show you the ropes.  You will learn hints and tips to keep your WI finances in good shape.  It's also a great way to […]

Join us to continue our historical walks around Colchester led by yellowbadge tour guide, Kate.  This tour covers the history of Colchester and includes St Botolph's Priory, Tymperlys, Trinity Street Church and the Red Lion Hotel.  You will learn about the historic Roman Wall and its many gates, the Roman Circus and witchcraft and plaque […]

The NFWI Annual Meeting for 2025 will be entirely virtual. Come along to our live screening and watch along with other WI members and delegates. There will be a nominal fee to help cover costs.  This is a members only meeting. You will need to bring your own mug and a packed lunch.

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

Non members £27.50 Continuing our focus on Heritage crafts and customs we will be again serving an Afternoon tea. The C&CC team will serve your tea which will have been prepared by Angela Flynn. Vegetarians and gluten free diets can be catered for. After tea, James Marriage will give a short talk, with animation, on […]

TICKETS ON SALE 1ST FEBRUARY 2025

Are you new to the roles or just thinking of taking on the role of President or Secretary?  You will hopefully find these sessions useful.  All WI Presidents, Secretaries and committee members are welcome to attend these sessions.  As well as covering roles, any updates on procedures and dispelling myths, these events are great for […]

Are you new to the roles or just thinking of taking on the role of President or Secretary?  You will hopefully find these sessions useful.  All WI Presidents, Secretaries and committee members are welcome to attend these sessions.  As well as covering roles, any updates on procedures and dispelling myths, these events are great for […]

Non members £66 Following members requests we are returning to Burghley House, this time with more emphasis on the artwork and a guided tour of the garden.  In July we are hoping for good weather as the gardens will be at their best.  If you would like to see pictures of our previous sold-out tour […]

Welcome to the 25/26 season of FEWI's darts tournament.  The year's tournament is again being co-ordinated by The Brentwood Belles and we are very grateful for their help and expertise. Team captains should sign up their team on Ticketsource and their WI will be invoiced separately.  WIs can have as many teams as they wish at £16 per […]

Non members £48 This workshop offers the opportunity to unleash your creativity and make a 30cm drum lampshade, with a fabric of your choice, which you can use in your home for either a table/floor lamp or ceiling pendant. No experience necessary and no sewing is involved! You will learn how to apply the lampshade […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

Non members £37 As part of our programme of Summer Lunches, come and join us for a sumptuous lunch. A fabulous 2 course lunch with coffee or tea at Hunters Meet, Hatfield Heath with guest author Ruth Leigh. Ruth is a novelist and freelance writer living in Suffolk. She has published 4 books in her […]

As part of our sponsorship scheme, FEWI has teamed up with Essex Ladies County Golf Association (ELCGA) and Golf World Stansted to offer members and their relatives the chance to have a go at the sport of golf with the aim of getting more ladies taking up the sport. ELCGA are hugely subsidising this event […]

  In partnership with English Heritage and Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Suffolk West Federations, the WI will be "taking over" Audley End for WI Day 2025. English Heritage are offering WI members free tickets to attend the event to include tours of the house and full access to the gardens. More details to come but please […]

The Osteoporosis Assessment Service will be visiting WI Centre with their heel ultrasound scanner (McCue CUBAClinical) which does not use X-rays but safe ultrasound signals. The bone density measured in the heel is strongly related to the hip and spine and is an excellent surrogate scanning site for osteoporosis assessments.  A small amount of ultrasound […]

Non members £17.50 The tour will be through the City of London. It will start by the Monument visiting some wonderful City churches and Leadenhall Market, the Royal Exchange, Bank of England and finishing in the area of the Guildhall. Walkers to make their own way to Liverpool Street Station and meet at the Kinder […]

Come along to WI Centre for plenty of bargains, craft supplies, fabric, yarn and so much more. If you have any stash to donate, please contact admin@essexwi.org.uk First come first served at this bumper stash busting day. Take a look at the video from our previous, very successful, stash day here. The WI Centre shop […]

Non members £33 Explore traditional smocking (a pleated and stitched technique) with Karen Odinga creating a decorative round bauble sampler. Your bauble can multi-task as a pretty hanging ornament for any season, depending on your colour choices! In addition to your bauble, other smocking techniques will be discussed showing traditional smocking stitches in a contemporary […]

Non members £17.50 The tour will be through the City of London. It will start by the Monument visiting some wonderful City churches and Leadenhall Market, the Royal Exchange, Bank of England and finishing in the area of the Guildhall. Walkers to make their own way to Liverpool Street Station and meet at the Kinder […]

Non members £15 We are delighted to welcome Alex Froggatt, Glass and Decorative Arts Specialist from Sworders Auctioneers.  Alex will spend the morning with us talking about his speciality – Glass.  After lunch (bring your own) there will be a Q&A Session with Alex and he will be happy to look at any small items […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

Non members £46 We are pleased to be welcoming back to WI centre Eleanor from Wee Bothy Arts www.weebothyart.com This hands-on workshop is designed for those who have completed the introduction to linocut workshop. You will be guided through the process of designing, carving and printing your own reduction print. You will learn how to […]

Non members £39 Come along to a painting party with Express Yourself Painting.  You will paint a picture with acrylic paints, accompanied by music.  All materials are provided, apron, brushes and paints.  Advice is to wear old clothes as you will be working with acrylic paints.  Guidance from the company artist should ensure everyone goes […]

We are pleased to offer end of year training on Zoom. Karen Powell and Verity Brome will cover all you need to know to successfully produce an end of year financial statement ready for examination by an Independent Financial Examiner (IFE). This is a members only event

Are you new to the roles or just thinking of taking on the role of President or Secretary?  You will hopefully find these sessions useful.  All WI Presidents, Secretaries and committee members are welcome to attend these sessions.  As well as covering roles, any updates on procedures and dispelling myths, these events are great for […]

The C&CC team would love to welcome members for some crafting, chatting, cake and coffee. Maybe you've started a project and are stuck, or you need some help to get going, now is the chance to pick the brains of the C&CC team and/or fellow members. Or just come along for a chat, we would […]

We are delighted to announce that true to our promise to take events around the County, this year's Carol Concerts will be in Kings Road United Reformed Church, Westcliff on […]

Do you often wonder how you would cope in a medical emergency? This one-day course provides a comprehensive set of practical skills needed by first aiders in most circumstances, giving […]

A wonderful opportunity to tour the winter gardens at Beth Chatto and enjoy a guided tour of the Snowdrops with their Snowdrop expert. Ticket price includes tea/coffee and a cake […]

Non members £33 A bouquet with a difference!! Angela, an experienced pastry chef, will be leading this workshop. You will create your choice of colour of buttercream icing and pipe […]

Non members £33 A bouquet with a difference!! Angela, an experienced pastry chef, will be leading this workshop. You will create your choice of colour of buttercream icing and pipe […]

Spectators welcome to watch the exciting final of our 2025/26 Darts Tournament. No ticket purchase required.

The Osteoporosis Assessment Service will be visiting WI Centre with their heel ultrasound scanner (McCue CUBAClinical) which does not use X-rays but safe ultrasound signals. The bone density measured in […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to […]

We meet at Liverpool Street Station and visit the Whitechapel/Spitalfields area which in 1888 was the scene known to Scotland Yard as the Whitechapel Incident of 1888. Perhaps better known […]

Essex WI are looking to form a WI group in the Beaulieu area, which is very exciting! This event will be an informal information meeting where you can find out more about what is involved in running a WI group and what is needed to set one up. This informal event is taking place on […]

Treasurers - join us for an informal Q&A session on the dos and don'ts of fundraising. Send in your questions ahead of time to fedtreasurer@essexwi.org.uk or ask us on the night.  The session will run from 7:30pm - 8:30pm and we hope you will join us and your fellow treasurers for a lively discussion on […]

Would you like more information about the chosen resolutions? Would you like your WI to make an informed decision when voting? Come and discuss the pros and cons of this year's selected resolutions: Accessible public toilet facilities to promote dignity, health, and social inclusion This resolution is a call for accessible, clean, free public toilets […]

Non members £17 Two tours in one day!  A great opportunity to have a guided tour of the magnificent art deco Grand Lodge on Great Queen Street including the Museum of Freemasonry and the Hall itself, followed by a tour of Barts North Wing's Great Hall and Hogarth Stair which has been restored and is […]

Non members £33 Tutored by Penny, who has over 20 years experience lace making, you will learn the art of bobbin lace making.  You will be shown how to set up a lace pillow, bobbin winding, and the basic stitches needed to make your unique piece of lace.   All the lace making equipment is provided […]

As part of our sponsorship scheme, FEWI has teamed up with Essex Golf Ltd, Frinton on Sea WI and the Frinton Links Golf Club to offer Essex members and their relatives the chance to have a go at the sport of golf with the aim of encouraging more ladies to take up the sport. Essex […]

Are you a new treasurer for your WI?  Or have you been doing it for a while and are still unsure about things?  Come along to WI Centre and we will show you the ropes.  You will learn hints and tips to keep your WI finances in good shape.  It's also a great way to […]

We meet at Liverpool Street Station and visit the Whitechapel/Spitalfields area which in 1888 was the scene known to Scotland Yard as the Whitechapel Incident of 1888. Perhas better known as the murders of Jack the Ripper. Without doubt, the most famous set of murders in the world. The walk will include visiting some of […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

2026's annual meeting will be held at the Brentwood Centre so please put the date into your diaries - more information coming soon!

The NFWI Annual Meeting for 2026 will be entirely virtual again. Come along to our live screening and watch along with other WI members.  2025's Watch Party at WI Centre involved bunting, cupcakes and fizz - we made a real party of it! There is a nominal fee to help cover costs. This is a […]

We will go behind the scenes which are normally off-limits to the general public.  You will see the vast staging, workshops, rehearsal studios, costumes, lighting and end up in the theatre looking down on the stage.  It is a working area and we will encounter staff going about their business.  There are stairs in places […]

Are you new to the roles or just thinking of taking on the role of President or Secretary?  You will hopefully find these sessions useful.  All WI Presidents, Secretaries and committee members are welcome to attend these sessions.  As well as covering roles, any updates on procedures and dispelling myths, these events are great for […]

Come along to WI Centre for plenty of bargains, craft supplies, fabric, yarn and so much more. If you have any stash to donate, please contact admin@essexwi.org.uk First come first served at this bumper stash busting day. Take a look at the video from our previous, very successful, stash day here. The WI Centre shop […]

Are you new to the roles or just thinking of taking on the role of President or Secretary?  You will hopefully find these sessions useful.  All WI Presidents, Secretaries and committee members are welcome to attend these sessions.  As well as covering roles, any updates on procedures and dispelling myths, these events are great for […]

 Buttons can say so much and now is your opportunity to create 3 different types of buttons at this dabble day hosted by the CCC team. Each attendee will go home with their own unique Dorset button, Yorkshire button and either 6 small or 4 large polymer painted clay buttons. Dorset buttons are a historic, […]

Are you new to the roles or just thinking of taking on the role of President or Secretary?  You will hopefully find these sessions useful.  All WI Presidents, Secretaries and committee members are welcome to attend these sessions.  As well as covering roles, any updates on procedures and dispelling myths, these events are great for […]

Continuing our Heritage Crafts theme, tutor Elitta Fell will give a talk on silk, it's history and today's techniques and applications. After a short lunch break, you get to 'have a go' painting on pre-prepared silks. These could be suitable for framing or using as greetings cards. No requirement to be able to draw, just […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

Are you interested in the history of the WI?  Or do you keep your WI's archives and need advice?  Or maybe you want an exclusive close up look at the fabulous archive items held at WI Centre?  This is your opportunity!  Sit down to hear a potted history of the WI followed by hints and […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

Non members £37 Come and enjoy a fabulous lunch at Hunters Meet with author Alison Bruce.  Alison has penned a series of excellent detective novels featuring Cambridge DC Gary Goodhew. Books will be available to buy on the day. Non-members are welcome. The menu has a choice of main courses and desserts which you can […]

The Osteoporosis Assessment Service will be visiting WI Centre with their heel ultrasound scanner (McCue CUBAClinical) which does not use X-rays but safe ultrasound signals. The bone density measured in the heel is strongly related to the hip and spine and is an excellent surrogate scanning site for osteoporosis assessments.  A small amount of ultrasound […]

We are delighted to welcome members to WI Centre for the opportunity to help choose speakers for our Panel of Speakers Book.  You will experience taster presentations from up to 5 new speakers.  Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own mug. This is a members only meeting.

Are you new to the roles or just thinking of taking on the role of President or Secretary?  You will hopefully find these sessions useful.  All WI Presidents, Secretaries and committee members are welcome to attend these sessions.  As well as covering roles, any updates on procedures and dispelling myths, these events are great for […]

The 2027 annual meeting will be held in Chelmsford Theatre so please get the date into your future diaries!