Birchwood WI

16/10/2026

What a fantastic meeting we had this week - the speaker was one of our members, Shanie. We were all totally enthralled, listening to her very inspiring story of her and her husband’s expedition to Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. They flew out to Tanzania early on Boxing Day 2024, reaching the summit on New Year’s Eve - what an achievement - especially as only a couple of years previously she had undergone major surgery. Whilst porters carried holdalls containing sleeping bags etc, everyone in the group carried their own extremely heavy backpacks for the many hours they spent hiking each day. Shanie actively supports the charity Ovacome, who benefitted from the wonderful sum of £13,000 she and her husband raised doing the expedition. We were so engrossed with her story that we forgot to take a photo of Shanie and the kit she’d taken on the climb (including that heavy backpack!) so this is a stock photo. Well done Shanie!

10/10/2026

WORLD HOMELESS DAY | 10 OCTOBER

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

On 4 June 2026, WI members voted 92% in favour of the resolution “Action on women’s homelessness.”

Women’s homelessness is often hidden. Official rough-sleeping figures don't tell the whole story. Women may be sofa surfing, staying with friends or family, living in unsuitable accommodation or remaining in unsafe situations because they have nowhere else to go.

The WI is calling for better recognition of women’s homelessness, greater prevention and improved temporary accommodation.
World Homeless Day was first marked on 10 October 2010 and is now observed in more than 100 countries across every continent except Antarctica.

This World Homeless Day, remember: homelessness doesn't always mean sleeping on the streets.

15/09/2026

Our speaker at our meeting last week was Jackie Mafi, who gave a very interesting and entertaining illustrated talk on ‘Sweet Memories’. She took us through the history of many of our favourite sweets and chocolate, and some fascinating facts, such as the Beatles declaring Jelly Babies dangerous and how Liquorice All Sorts came about. And who would known that Japan has 300 different flavours of Kit Kat!!

01/09/2026

14/07/2026

Our speaker at our recent meeting was a local lady, Lynne Edwina Pearce, who told us of her 22 years as an Army wife, and the subsequent book she wrote of her life during that time. She decided to write the book as she’d found that most civilians have no idea of what an Army wife has to go through on their own when their husbands and partners are on deployment. She told us of the etiquette rules and class levels between ranks, the camaraderie with other wives, the anxiety of deployments and many funny stories about her experiences. It was a very interesting, informative and entertaining talk.
A signed copy of Lynne’s book is available direct from her, and is also available (unsigned) on Amazon. Proceeds from sales go to the Veterans’ Charity she supports.

11/06/2026

Last night was our 36th Birthday party so we celebrated with party food, bubbly, and a delicious cake baked by the son of one of our committee members. To support the Climate Coalition Great Big Green Week, many members wore clothing they’d purchased at charity shops - which reduces the carbon footprint by extending the lifespan of clothing and therefore reducing waste - as well as saving money! We also completed a Summer themed quiz, and one on Climate Change to further extend our knowledge. It was a very enjoyable, fun evening! 🥂🎂

https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/

09/06/2026

We had a successful day at Birchwood Carnival - thank you to all our members who helped on the day, and everyone who provided gift bags for the tombola, craft items and plants for the stall!

29/05/2026

Look Forward to seeing you there

23/05/2026

BIRCHWOOD WI – PRE-CARNIVAL TOMATO AND CHILLI PLANTS SALE. JUST £1 EACH
I have for sale 3 different varieties of tomato plants, all are cherry tomatoes and suitable for growing on in tubs, containers or hanging baskets. They are all now sturdy and coming into flower, first photograph shows how they are now, following photographs show how they will grow with your care and feeding. Also available, 2 varieties of chilli. They all need to be fed with a suitable tomato food. ALL AVAILABLE AT JUST £1 EACH – collection only from Keyes Close. Birchwood. Payment by BACS, cash or contactless card.
1) Cherry tomato – Minibel – bright red fruits on compact plants growing between 40 to 60 cm.
2) Bush Yellow Tomato – Aztek – Bright Yellow Cherry Tomato – easy to grow - grows up to 40 cm.
3) Cherry Tomatoes – Garden Pearl – Plant outdoors in hanging baskets or containers.
I also have available chillies
1) Chilli Jalapeno - Easy to grow – prefers a greenhouse or indoors – feed with tomato food.
2) Chilli Cayenne - Easy to grow – prefers a greenhouse or indoors – feed with tomato food.
Attached photographs show how the plants will grow – they need your care to achieve abundant tomatoes as illustrated.
Message me for collection address and further information.

17/05/2026

Our meeting this week opened on a sad note, with a minute’s silence in memory of our former President Jan, whose funeral had taken place that day. She will always be fondly remembered for her fun, enthusiasm and vitality, and will be very much missed by all our members.
We then welcomed Matthew Lepps from TigerMuffin Soaps in Formby, who gave a very entertaining and interesting talk on the history of soap and bathing through the ages, whilst giving us 3 demos on soap making, bubble bath and a bath bomb. We also had the opportunity to purchase some of his products.
This was also our Resolution meeting, when we decided how we wanted our delegate to vote on our behalf at the 2 Resolutions going forward to the NFWI AGM in June.
It was another busy but very enjoyable evening!
Our next meeting in June will be our 36th Birthday Party, for members only. Visitors will be welcome to our July 8th meeting - message this page or email [email protected] if you’re interested in coming along, we’re a friendly group who’ll make you very welcome!