Welcome to the Cockfield WI web page!
Cockfield WI is a member of Suffolk West Federation of WI’s and is affiliated to the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, NFWI, the largest women’s organisation in the UK. Members come from Cockfield and several neighbouring villages.
We are a friendly group and new members and visitors are warmly welcomed. Our members come from all walks of life and although some of us are retired , we have a young outlook on life and many varied interests. Between us we have a huge skills bank to draw on including law, education, finance, catering, gardening, Science, child-care and nursing.
Meetings are normally held on the first Thursday of the month in Cockfield village hall, and usually consist of a talk or demonstration on a variety of subjects, followed by WI news and information about upcoming events. We have regular clubs such as Book Club, Craft and Canasta. In addition, country walks and work shops run by members such as quilting, cookery , flower arranging and Christmas Wreath making are held throughout the year. A cup of tea or coffee with home made cake is always on the agenda at our monthly meeting!
There is something for everyone at our WI so if you are new to the village and want to make friends or would just like to find out a bit more about us, please contact us. For more information please email michellecallinan1971ok@gmail.com
Cockfield WI Programme 2024/25
The programme of monthly events from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024 (inclusive), together with Groups and Contacts information can be found in the attachment below. Please click on the attachment to open it.
Cockfield WI Programme 2024/25
Latest WI Meeting Report
The full WI report for the latest Meeting, including photos, can be seen in the attachment below. Please click on the attachment to open it.
WI Report from January 2024 Meeting
At our January meeting we considered the current proposed resolutions, which we vote on each year and pursue one as an organisation supporting action for change and development in society. The WI still has a voice! This year the options are:
- Dental Health Matters – Review, Training and Access.
2. Impact of Poor Housing Conditions.
3. Say No! To Gambling Advertising.
4. Improving Outcomes for Women in the Criminal Justice System.
Our January speaker was Erica Dorling, an ambassador for a beauty and cosmetic company called Tropic which guarantees to use only natural ingredients: ‘green beauty’. She gave us lots of information about the company’s background and we all had the opportunity to try a product on our hands. Both options smelt lovely! The ranges include products for skincare, body care, sun care and make up. It was an enjoyable evening and the speaker enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Erica explained that 10% of their profits are given to a charity which educate children and adults in areas of deprivation, where there are no educational facilities.
In 2023 our WI in Cockfield was able to support an organisation called TWAM. ‘Tools With A Mission’. They need support and are a charity which collects donated unusable or unused tools, refurbishes them, sorts them into trade kits and sends them to the developing world for livelihood creation! They also support local people in areas where they are working, with training to use the equipment. There are over 500 volunteers in the UK as well. TWAM are particularly interested in collecting hand tools, sewing machines, material and many other useful tools. Have a look at their website soon! Our collection centre is in Ipswich but if you contact us at Cockfield WI we will give you further details and of how to donate.
In February, Allen Burbridge will talk to us about ‘The Hervey family of Ickworth’. In March we have a talk by Jason Kermeen on Faberge eggs. In April we will be entertained with 50s & 60s music by Barrie and Partner. We are also still currently planning visits for this coming year but have a number to select from and will do so based on the most popular soon. These may include a visit to a gin distillery, a flour mill, a vineyard and a local fudge maker! An obvious food and drink theme! A list of all the possible options we have so far considered was circulated again at the January meeting for members to express an interest in any options offered and to suggest their own. Watch this space!
The coffee morning we hold in the village hall each month is a great place to meet and have a chat! It is open to everyone and everyone is very welcome to share some lovely homemade cakes and biscuits, as well as tea and coffee. The next coffee morning is from 10.30 am until 12 noon on Thursday 22nd February, in the Village Hall Committee Room. Following that there is one on the 28th March. The monthly coffee mornings have now returned, as you can see and will continue throughout the year until there is a short break in December! The monthly Saturday lunches have also returned! The next one is on Saturday 17th February and then on Saturday 2nd March 2024. The lunch is available for a small contribution of £1, for the food! Teas and coffees are also available. Please come, we would love to see you then! We would all really like to say welcome to you if you have recently moved into the village and would love to meet you. Visitors are always very welcome to WI meetings and if you would like to come along, haven’t felt comfortable going out due to Covid or used to come to WI and would like to think about coming back, please contact Michelle Callinan on 01284 828551 or 07478 142098. Visitors are welcome to attend up to three meetings before deciding about joining or not! There is no obligation! If you need transport we will help too!
