The Women's Institute was formed over 100 years ago and its activities have changed throughout the decades to reflect the interests and needs of the women of the day. A modern WI will have anything from a dozen to a hundred members. Each WI meets once a month and the meeting will include a speaker or an activity. The subjects covered reflect the interests of that WIs members and may include the WI "traditions" of crafts and cookery as well as history, the environment, foreign travel and the work of various voluntary organisations such as Hearing Dogs for the Deaf or the Samaritans. In addition to the monthly meetings, a local WI will organise outings and will receive information about other WI activities in the County.

Our members range in age from 12 to 112. They may be students, clerical staff, factory workers, company directors, housewives, teachers, doctors, IT consultants, Mums whose only escape is an evening a month whilst Dad does the babysitting, retired people ie all types of women! There is no age limit and no stereotyped "WI member". The people who attend a particular WI make it what it is. If you are thinking of joining, it may be worth going to a few WIs in your area to find the one best suited to you.