Smisby WI Pages
Smisby Women's Institute
Smisby WI was founded in 1934 and we celebrated our 80th anniversary in 2015. A short history is available via the history page. The national WI organisation celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2015. Smisby is a membef of the Derbyshire Federation, and the DFWI celebrates its centenary in 2018, see below for more information.
Smisby WI are a very friendly institute and meet on the third Thursday in the month in various locations.
Currently membership has risen to 60, so at the moment new membership is restricted to Smisby residents. We have a varied programme with a speaker at most meetings.
Smisby WI meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month, 7.00 pm for 7.15 pm prompt start. The 2019 programme is now available on the programme page and has details of some new events.reports about past activities can be found on the Past events page
The first Tuesday lunchtime Line Dancing was successful and regular weekly sessions will run. All are welcome, non members - male and female .
All meetings normally in Smisby Village Hall, Main Street LE65 2TY at 7pm for a 7.15pm start. In addition, monthly craft sessions and walks aare organised on the first and second Thursday of each month respectively and also weekly canasta/card games on a Wednesday afternoon.
Refreshments are £1 per meeting
Guests (carers exempt) maximum of 3 meetings per year
A waiting list is now in operation for new members who live outside of Smisby parish.
Secretary; Mrs Suzanne Jones 01530 415346
We are part of the Derbyshire Federation
DFWI Headquarters
“Derbyshire House”, Sherwin Street,
Derby, DE22 1GP
Telephone 01332 342596
Cynthia's Retirement from the WI Committee
Forty years ago, after she came to live in the village, Cynthia Massey joined Smisby WI. Previously she had been a member of Woodville WI and taken on the roles of President and Treasurer. When she attended her first Smisby WI AGM, by the time she left that evening she was their new President.
Ever since then Cynthia has been on the committee and acted as Treasurer and also taken on the role of President several times.
1985 was the Golden Anniversary, past presidents were invited to the celebration and a visit to Stardust was arranged. The first photograph shows Cynthia as President and Secretary Marion Baily cutting the anniversary cake with former President Madge Hewitt on the left. The second photograph shows members at Stardust. (click on photo to enlarge)
Cynthia also hosted the Strawberry Tea Garden Party at her home for Smisby WI’s Diamond, see the third photograph. The third photograph shows Cynthia with some of the guests around Sheila Heaps Anniversary cake.
At our AGM in May 2019, two of our newer members were voted on to the committee. Cynthia has said over the past few years she would like to retire and so this was her opportunity. We could not let this occasion pass without giving her a small reminder of our appreciation of her years of commitment as a committee member and also for the use of her house and garden for committee meetings, Christmas and garden parties. Jean our current President presented Cynthia with a ceramic planter containing golden patio roses and violas (see fourth photo above).
Thank you Cynthia for all your hard work and commitment to Smisby WI, we will miss you at our committee meetings. Time now to enjoy being a member without the responsibitlies of office!
News from the April meeting
- Walking netball at the Green Bank Leisure centre Swadlincote 16th May 2 p.m-3 p.m. cost £2.50pp (several members have shown interest)
- Two glass fusion workshops have been booked for 25th July and 22nd of August, cost £12 pp plus materials. (a board will be out at meetings and craft morning)
- The next meeting, AGM and Resolutions will be at Sheila Heap’s house in Forties Lane, it is a cheese and wine evening, please bring along a plate of food to share or soft drink.
- The competition for the silver bowl is a flower arrangement in a tin.
Smisby WI visit to Elford Community Gardens June 2013