Broughton Astley Women's Institute

Broughton Astley Women's Institute We are a welcoming, friendly group of ladies who meet at the VH every 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Every individual WI meets at least once a month and there is usually a speaker, demonstration or activity at every meeting for members to learn and develop a range of different skills. The Women's Institute is often associated with food, cooking and healthy eating, and food and cooking form an important part of the WI's history. Craft has always played an important role in the WI and thousands of

members are involved in a range of different crafts. The first WI meeting in Great Britain, which took place on 16 September 1915 at Llanpairpwl on Anglesey, Wales. The organisation had two aims: to revitalise rural communities and to encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. Broughton Astley WI meet at 7.30pm every second Tuesday of the month in the Alan Talbot Room of Broughton Astley village hall.

At last night's meeting as part of the Bystanders Can Be Lifesavers campaign we welcomed Martin Matkin from St John Ambu...
13/05/2026

At last night's meeting as part of the Bystanders Can Be Lifesavers campaign we welcomed Martin Matkin from St John Ambulance with his resusci family to demonstrate CPR skills, he also explained the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest.
We also learnt that 80% of incidents occur in a non medical setting which is a scary thought, but with a bit of CPR and Defibrillator knowledge we will hopefully have the confidence when we're out and about to help someone in difficulty.

Martin also judged this month's competition , an interesting antique and the winners were as follows.
1st - Ann
2nd - Christine W
3rd - Cheryl

A show of hands for the two resolutions being put forward for this year were pretty much unanimously agreed upon.

08/05/2026

President's pre meeting notes - May 2026

Our May meeting is traditionally our Resolutions meeting, therefore at the meeting on Tuesday 12th we will be asking you to indicate whether you wish our two resolutions for this year to go forward, they are
"Action on Women's Homelessness"
"Accessible public toilet facilities".

We will also be welcoming Martin Matkin from St John Ambulance to give us a briefing on the use of a Defibrillator and CPR, which follows on from our resolution for this year of "Bystanders can be Lifesavers".

The competition for this month is "An interesting Antique" so search your cupboards for something to bring!

Craft Group: St Mary's Church on Thursday 21st May @ 10 am when there will be another opportunity to make a tote bag or learn "Suffolk Puffs"

Coffee & Chat: Friday 22nd May @ 10 am at The Swan at Ullesthorpe

Events/Outings:

Sign up for the trip to Leicester Botanic Gardens 16th June 10 am, tour and refreshments £11 pp, minimum of 10 participants needed, car share

Sign up to visit Ann Hathaway's Cottage, Stratford upon Avon, 18th August by Broughton bus, £12.75 tour plus £8 approx travel, refreshments extra, 15 participants required, leaving Broughton at 9.45 am

Ruth will be asking for your help and donations of plants for our stall at the village carnival on Saturday 13th June

Happy St George's Day!Here's a giant St George aka John Parnell from a couple of years ago at Hinckley town celebrations...
23/04/2026

Happy St George's Day!
Here's a giant St George aka John Parnell from a couple of years ago at Hinckley town celebrations.

At this month's member's drop in craft session there were two member tutored projects on the go....Machine sewn Tote Bag...
16/04/2026

At this month's member's drop in craft session there were two member tutored projects on the go....
Machine sewn Tote Bags and Suffolk Puff not to be mistaken with Suffolk Punch 😂 button making.
Looks like it was a busy and interactive mornings work ladies.

I was handed an envelope containing some old photos at last night's meeting. A local resident found them whilst sorting...
15/04/2026

I was handed an envelope containing some old photos at last night's meeting.
A local resident found them whilst sorting through some old family stuff and he thought we might like a look, so I've scanned them and uploaded here to share. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did.

One of the carnival float photos has written in blue pen on the reverse:
'Hospital Saturday about 1937? R Brown Arkwright House B Astley'

The photo with the ladies sitting at the baize covered tables has written in blue pen on the reverse:
'Womens Institute 1965'

The photo of the ladies serving tea behind the hatch has written in blue pen on the reverse:
'Womens Institute 1965'
and in pencil:
'Commitee'

Last night we welcomed John Parnell back for another meeting, this time he gave us a potted history of 'The Circus' and ...
14/04/2026

Last night we welcomed John Parnell back for another meeting, this time he gave us a potted history of 'The Circus' and demonstrated some juggling techniques using different props/tools which was very informative and entertaining.
For instance did you know that the good ol' circus was founded in England? No us neither.
Philip Astley, a English Cavalry Officer used his horse and rider training skills to create trick horse riding displays in London way back in 1768
He discovered that a 42 foot diameter ring was the optimum space to show off these equestrian displays and to this day a circus ring is 42 feet in diameter.
A couple of years later he added acrobats, tightrope walkers and a clown to create the multi-act show that set the standard format of circus performances.
While Astley was the founder of the show, the term 'circus' to describe the performance was coined by rival Charles Dibdin, who opened the 'Royal Circus' nearby in 1782.
So next time you're ooh aahing at the acrobats and laughing at the clowns be proud that it was us Brits that brought the art of circus to world.

10/04/2026

President's pre meeting notes - April 2026

At our meeting on Tuesday 14th April @ 7.30pm our entertainer will be John Parnell with "Juggling and other Circus Skills".

If you have not yet completed and returned the new membership form, ( and paid your subs!) please bring it to the meeting so that your membership can be confirmed.

For those who attended the Glass Fusion Workshop your completed fused glass ornaments will be available to collect.

Craft Group: St Mary's Church on Thursday 16 April @ 10am this month's project is making tote bags, Lynn V will provide more details on Tuesday.

The "Guys and Dolls" tickets will be available to those who have booked a seat for this show.

Coffee n Chat: Thursday 30th April @ 10 am at the Conservatory at Blaby Golf Club

Outings/Events:
A trip to Leicester Botanic Gardens on Tuesday 16 June with a guided tour at 10 am followed by refreshments.
Minimum of 10 participants, £11 inclusive pp; we will arrange car shares.

A trip to Ann Hathaway's Cottage, Stratford upon Avon on Tuesday 18th August
Cost £12.75 for the tour plus approx £8 travel by Broughton Community Bus, refreshments extra.
15 participants required, leaving Broughton Astley at 9.45 am

Unfortunately the weather forecast is not looking promising over the next few days, so we hope whatever your plans are f...
03/04/2026

Unfortunately the weather forecast is not looking promising over the next few days, so we hope whatever your plans are for this Easter bank holiday weekend you get to enjoy them regardless.
Happy Easter 🐣🐇🐰🪺🐑🐥

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Station Road
Broughton Astley
LE96PR

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