Atworth Women's Institute (W.I.)

Atworth WI meets on the third Monday of the month at 7pm in the Village Hall. However, there is normally an outing instead of the June or July meeting (which last year was to the beautiful garden of Tristenagh House in Potterne). The August meeting is always an afternoon cream tea in the garden of one of the members. 

We have celebrated both the late Queen’s Jubilee and the Coronation of the new King: each momentous occasion being marked with a social event including all members.

We have a Book Club, and meet regularly for walks, meals in the White Hart, and craft sessions: the latest project being a planned Poppy Waterfall from the Clocktower to mark Remembrance Day in November this year. We also arrange visits to Wiltshire Music Centre. Many members attend a variety of events organised by Wiltshire Federation of WIs. 

For a number of years, the WI has been responsible for picking up litter around the village, both regularly in a group, and on an individual ad hoc basis: many members now wouldn’t consider leaving home for a walk, without a plastic bag at the ready!

We lay a wreath from the WI at the Clocktower Remembrance Day service, and have participated in the church Christmas Tree Festival, the Scarecrow Trail and the Artisan market. 

When funds have permitted, we have donated to local causes: this past year, to Atworth Youth Club and Atworth Museum (via the History Group). One of our members sits on the Village Hall Committee. Many WI members are also active members of the church and of the History Group.

We actively encourage recycling amongst our members: collecting printer ink cartridges, soft plastics, batteries and pens, which are taken to a collection point in Corsham when sufficient quantities make the journey worthwhile.

There are currently 32 members. We always welcome guests or prospective new members to our meetings, and would like to emphasise that the 21^st century WI is not “all jam and Jerusalem”, but a local and national organisation, open to all women over the age of 18, committed to supporting each other, providing opportunities for education, and to making our world a better place in which to live.