Cleeve by Goring WI meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm in Storton Lodge Scout Hut, Goring. There were already two WI branches in the Goring Gap, at Goring and Streatley, but both met in the afternoons. The Cleeve-by-Goring institute was formed for those who could not attend in the daytime due to work or family commitments and so it has always met in the evenings. A mark, perhaps,
of the sagacity of the decision is that the Cleeve branch is still going strong whereas, sadly, the others have closed. The main feature is a speaker or a demonstration, with a competition related to the topic followed by a discussion of regional and national WI business. Of course, the most important part of the evening is the break in the middle when refreshments are served and everyone can have a jolly good chat. Many friendships have been forged at our meetings. Wacky Christmas parties are a tradition. Our albums have photographs of the “local talent” in a self-penned and off-beat production of Cinderella and another entitled Cleeve Chicken Sandwiches. The 2021 Christmas party featured a sword dance, comic songs and readings and carols accompanied by Ted Morse on the accordion. The branch’s annual summer party is another long-standing event. This was originally called the Strawberry Supper and was held in Nun’s Acre river garden. More recently, it has morphed into a colour-themed evening of food and entertainment. Several sub-groups have been formed over the years. The reading group started in 2005 and is still flourishing. A craft group and a “knit and natter” group thrive. Cleeve-by-Goring WI has always participated in village events, often providing the teas and homemade cakes for which the WI as a whole is famous. At one time we were asked regularly to cater for coach parties visiting the Gap. We are perhaps best known for our August Lock Teas (in recent years accompanied by the Goring and Streatley Concert Band), which have been going since 1967 and have raised about £24,000 for local charities in the process. The branch offers support to others in need, such as making regular contributions to the Wallingford food bank and donating “pennies for friendship” to the Association of Country Women of the World, which runs overseas projects to help women in developing countries. Most recently, members have contributed to the humanitarian cause in Ukraine. The branch belongs to the Oxfordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, which is a campaigning body with considerable clout. Both federations organise good value talks, courses, day trips and holidays that benefit from their substantial purchasing power. Cleeve members have always been enthusiastic participants in these events, making visits to such places as the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Westonbirt Arboretum, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Tate Modern and Wi******er Cathedral. Our albums also contain pictures of members on WI holidays to Scotland, Cornwall and Jersey. The Oxfordshire Federation’s annual competitions on design, produce and crafts and its annual quiz are popular with Cleeve members. Several stand out as craft stars, producing many clever entries. We have also taken part in the Federation’s Science Week challenges at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and won the prize for constructing a moon buggy in 2006. Nationally, the WI campaigns on issues put forward by its members. Recent topics include mental health, cervical screening and microplastics. Combating climate change has been a theme for several years and the Cleeve branch has its own champion on this issue. We remain true to our desire to provide a friendly, safe and interesting place for women to meet.
• Cleeve-by-Goring WI meets at Storton Lodge at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month. New members are very welcome — just come along on the night
