The country’s largest women’s organisation, famous for its jam-making and cake bakes, the singing of “Jerusalem”, but above all its general good deeds and fellowship, is coming to central Croydon.

The Women’s Institute is looking to establish a central Croydon branch, with its first meeting at the start of April.

“The WI brings women together for lifelong learning and skill sharing,” they say.

“It offers social connection, educational talks, crafting, community action and campaigning on national issues. It empowers women to learn, share and make a positive difference in their community.”

The first meeting of the central Croydon branch of the Women’s Institute will be on Wednesday, April 1, at The Salvation Army Citadel, Booth Road, CR0 1XY from 7pm to 8.30pm. It is proposed that meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of the month thereafter.

Doors will open at 6.30pm to enable a prompt start (the WI does have a reputation for being most  punctilious).

“At this meeting, once we have formally established the new WI, people will be able to enrol as members.” The annual subscription is £54 – little more than £1 per week.

The benefits of being a member of the Women’s Institute include:

• making friends in your local area and further afield
• a minimum of 11 meetings a year
• receiving WI Life magazine
• access to national and federation events

There are already existing branches of the WI in various areas in and around Croydon, including Sanderstead and Sanderstead Village, Purley Cross, Shirley, and there are two in Old Coulsdon and two in Warlingham.

Further information about the WI can be found on its national organisation’s website by clicking here, or by emailing infoproposedcroydon@surreyfedwi.org.uk

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