Past Events

 Have some fun and learn to make your own Christmas trees using everyday items and small pieces of fabric. Why not make a whole forest of these little Scandinavian style potted trees to decorate a festive windowsill or mantelpiece. Using basic machine or hand sewing and some embellishments these are also great fun to make with kids if you need to entertain them in the holidays. No needle drop guaranteed! Email tickets@essexwi.org.uk or phone 01245 382233 to book your place! Please…

 THURSDAY 3RD DECEMBER – 7pm Wish you had started a journal this year? Or want to give the one you have some ‘va va voom’? Then this is the talk for you. Jackie’s maxim is that anyone can keep a journal; you don’t need to draw or be an artist to have a beautiful and memorable journal of your own.Having kept illustrated journals since 2008 using a variety of books and media, Jackie is passionate about encouraging others to do the…

 Join Kelly Mauger as she demonstrates how to make some simple and versatile biscuits to suit any palette which can be enjoyed and gifted over the festive period. Recipes will include Fruit and Nut Biscotti, Cheese and Walnut Shortbread and Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies.It’s up to you if you would like to cook alongside Kelly (just make sure you have everything weighed up in advance) or simply sit back and enjoy the demo. There will be lots of hints and…

 Using materials most of you will find in the home, this is a workshop with some fun ideas using any kind of paper – colourful catalogues/magazines/ Christmas or birthday wrapping paper. The technique is fun and suited to any skill level, you’ll start with a hanging ornament and from there on to a ball/lollipop and a flower. So not only will you be left with an inner glow from successfully recycling but will also have something cheery to brighten the…

Fine Cell Work is a charity which makes beautiful handmade products in British prisons.  In this talk you will learn how they were formed and the work they do to train prisoners in high-quality needlework. Their aim is to boost prisoners' self-worth, instilling self-discipline which in turn fosters hope and encourages them to lead independent, crime free lives.

 A royal-themed talk taking us behind the curtains of Sandringham House, the beloved private Norfolk home of HM Queen Elizabeth IHear the fascinating history of this grand Edwardian house . . . a treasure trove of priceless arts brought alive by Susan’s excellent narrative. Discover secrets and stories you never knew about the kings and queens who have called it home – storytelling at it’s best.Email tickets@essexwi.org.uk or phone 01245 382233 to book your place!  Please quote event reference SB.   

 Mark describes himself as Sewer, Pianist, Whovian, Dog father and husband, not forgetting he is also a Great British Sewing Bee Quarter Finalist 2020. So, please join Mark as he talks about his time on the show. He will also be able to share with us some of his GBSB creations and transformations and what it was really like behind the scenes. Email tickets@essexwi.org.uk or phone 01245 382233 to book your place!Please quote event reference BSB.  

Whether you belong to an established WI and are interested to know more. Or you are new to the WI and would like to find out what the WI has to offer you. Here is your opportunity to be part of a completely new kind of WI.  The WI has been successful for 105 years and although our values stay the same we are always looking forward to the next new and exciting way to bring our WI to more women. The role of the WI is to inform and educate but importantly to have FUN We would love you…

   Join Simon for a virtual tour of London at night told through photographs and poetry.  Simon is a graduate of Cambridge University and is a professional photographer and tour guide. Simon is one of the regular Denman at Home speakers and we are delighted that he is joining us as part of our Arts and Leisure programme.Email tickets@essex.wi.org.uk or phone 01245 382233 to book your place!  Please quote event reference LNP.   

Back by popular demand!This is a return of Dr Susan Kay-Williams, Royal School of Needlework Collection Curator and Archivist.. It will include a look at some of the interesting, unusual, beautiful and fascinating items in the RSN Collection of textiles and archive of designs and images from the 17th to the 21st Century.An event not to be missed so please book early to avoid disappointment.Email tickets@essexwi.org.uk or phone 01245 382233 and quote event reference RSN2

RHS Garden, Hyde Hall is presently one of four RHS gardens. Hyde Hall is undergoing major garden development including a new Winter Garden, large scale Perennial Meadow and a new Global Growth Vegetable Garden.With The Delights and Possibilities of RHS Hyde Hall, Robert Brett, the new Curator takes us on a journey detailing the changes that have, and are being made to this beautiful garden. The talk centres itself 2 years into this Strategic Investment, and explores these new developments…

Pat will be  demonstrating how to make a useful sturdy tote bag. The bag can have sides made up using a patchwork technique or a single piece of fabric.  The demonstration will show you how to construct the bag itself and also how to use one of the techniques to make up the sides.If you would also like a full colour instruction leaflet, with photographs of each stage of the process, Pat is offering this as a PDF download for the special…

By popular demand, and on Shakespeare’s birthday, the wonderful Simon Bridge is coming back to Essex WI with his fabulous take on Shakespeare. This time you can see him from the comfort of your own home. Simon will explore just what life was like for William Shakespeare, his actors and his audience and will try to answer the question “Why did Shakespeare write like that?” Simon will also relate some of his own experience of performing the Bard’s works –…

If, like me you still have awful memories of being taught to write at school and never quite being happy with your handwriting, FEWI Presents once again comes to your rescue with their latest in their Series of Zoom Talks and Workshops.   We bring you an opportunity to hear the renowned Jane Lappage talk about Modern Calligraphy and have a chance to try it our before her workshop that Essex Federation will be running later in the year.  …

If you are sitting enjoying a mug of tea or coffee as you read this, chances are it could be in an Essex WI Centenary Mug! The Arts & Leisure Committee are delighted that the designer of the mugs, Alison Gardiner, will be joining us by Zoom to talk about her life as an Illustrator and designer and how her career has developed after studying printed textiles to the giftware business she has today. Over the years Alison has designed…