Arts & Leisure covers events and workshops, including the theatre, photography, poetry, literary lunches, Christmas Carol concert/services. They organise our darts tournament, inter-WI quiz tournament, walks, relaxing and informative days out, and the occasional sporting activity.

Sue MacEwen, Purleigh WI	Chair
Moyra Jackson, Elsenham WI
Carole English, Southminster WI
Hazel Eldred, Great Hallingbury WI
Kay Lodge, Sandon & Marconi Belles WIs
Gill Sewell, Great Hallingbury WI
Diane Tyrrell, Harold Wood Evening WI
Steph Smith, St Osyth WI

We organise day courses and demonstrations in all aspects of Cookery, Flower Arranging and a wide variety of Crafts, to appeal to as wide a cross section of members as possible, in line with the WI ethos to offer opportunities for enjoyable learning for life.

We welcome suggestions for future workshops from our members.

Fiona Cattermole, Hatfield Broad Oak WI	Chair
Julie Alen, Stisted WI	Vice Chair
Lesley Evans, Dolphin WI	Vice Chair
Judith Abrams, Halstead & Earls Colne WIs
Jo Adams, First Ladies (Barking & Dagenham) WI
Paulette Brabin, Great Hallingbury WI
Angela Flynn, Chignals & Mashbury WI
Moyra Jackson, Elsenham WI
Hazel Ridgwell, Purleigh WI
Gill Hathaway,

Associate Members

Margaret Cooper, (Country Markets), Woodham Ferrers WI

The Membership Advisory Committee or MAC as it’s often referred to, is the Federation sub-committee that comprises of the WI Advisers, (some of whom are Federation Trustees) and Trainee WI Advisers and MAC helpers. WI Advisers are voluntary WI members who have undergone training provided by the NFWI, which enables them to help and support members in every aspect of their WI life. They provide the vital link between WIs, Federation and the National levels of the organisation.
MAC is a fully inclusive committee offering flexible working for any member to train as an Adviser regardless of her work, family or care commitments.

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS:

Public Affairs aims to help members turn their concerns in to resolutions be they at local, Federation or NFWI level.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution Coordinator can advise on the process to take your resolution forward across these levels. The Resolution Coordinator is also the go to person for updates on NFWI campaigns and finding out how to become the Resolution Representative for your WI, please contact publicaffairs@essexwi.org.uk for more information.

Laura Pisaneschi, Chafford Hundred WI, Resolution Coordinator

CLIMATE AMBASSADORS

Essex are lucky to have several Climate Ambassadors who discuss and work on matters relating to Climate Change, our Lead Climate Ambassador coordinates meetings, contacting MPs and arranging events and welcomes members interested in this topic, email publicaffairs@essexwi.org.uk if you’d like to find out more about becoming a Climate Ambassador.

ACWW

Essex Federation are an Associate Member of ACWW – take a look at the ACWW section under Links for more information and updates or contact acww@essexwi.org.uk for more details.

I have been a WI member for 36 years – a natural progression from Brownies and Guides in my distant youth, where I learnt crafts, home-skills, a love of the countryside, community involvement and making friends from a wide range of backgrounds.

I was brought up in Kent, moved to north London when I married and after several job and house moves finally settled in the Cambs/Essex borders area near Saffron Walden. My career in computing included working in a variety of industries (sometimes in Europe), and as General Sec. for Girlguiding Anglia region. When my daughter was small I took time out to train as a teacher and enjoyed the adult learning experience so much that I went on to study for a degree with the Open University – I love a challenge!

I’ve been a member of five different WIs, currently at Guildhall Girls (Thaxted) and Radwinter, taking on various committee roles along the way. This included being on the Community & International Committee in Cambridge, participating in the ‘Think Romania’ campaign.

The invitation to be further involved at committee level for Essex Federation was an opportunity to gain a wider understanding of WI matters. Since 2012 I’ve been part of the Public Affairs team and took on the role of FEWI Rep for ACWW shortly after. Initially I knew very little about this amazing organisation (Associated Country Women of the World) but am now a passionate advocate for everything it stands for and works to achieve towards international friendship and the empowerment of women.

I enjoy promoting ACWW to WIs in Essex, and especially meeting Reps from other Federations at ACWW events and Conferences, both in the UK and abroad.

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MEDIA TEAMS: 

Website & Social Media Team:

Sue MacEwen (Purleigh WI), Jan Curtis (Bulphan WI), and Jane Miles (The Brentwood Belles WI)

Editorial Team:

Clare Wood (Witham WI), Lesley Crisp (Bulphan WI), Jan Curtis (Bulphan WI) and Tracey Enderby (Associate).