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Women's Institute

Long Sutton Levellers WI

​A new name to celebrate our geography, identity, and stand out in the crowd for the next 100 years.

Women's Institute

Long Sutton Levellers WI

​A new name to celebrate our geography, identity, and stand out in the crowd for the next 100 years.

​Inspiring women - then and now

The WI is a unique organisation shaped by its members. In 1915, the WI set out to give women a voice, and to be a force for good in the community. The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) is now the largest voluntary organisation for women in the UK, with over 210,000 members in more than 6,500 WIs.

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Long Sutton WI today

After 100 years we are still thriving due to our active community of women, and support from the wider community. We welcome women from 18-100+ years, celebrating our differences, and coming together to share experiences - connecting people and communities. We support women to learn, develop new skills, gain confidence - improving physical and mental wellbeing. We empower women to use their voice individually, and collectively to achieve real changes on the issues that matter to them. Each month we have a speaker/activity, competition, refreshments & social time. Our programme provides a diverse range of themes eg., FabDrumming, Flower Arranging, Dr Lucy Pollock, Summer Picnics, Recording a Podcast, Diwali Celebration, Bollywood and Line Dancing, Treasure Hunts, Quiz Nights, Bingo, Christmas Party fun & games, as well as quieter nights with speakers, art/craft, supporting women’s health & well-being, and national campaigns.

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History

Long Sutton WI inaugural meeting was on Thursday 16th October, 3pm at the Friend’s Schoolroom - 41 women were present.

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President: Miss LM Reynolds

Secretary: Miss P Gillet

Assistant Secretary: Miss Yeoman

Treasurer: Mrs Horne

Committee: Mrs H Cox, Miss Reynolds, Mrs Fry, Mrs G Tucker, Mrs Haines.

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Until 1933 the WI met at either the Friend’s Meeting House or School Room before a permanent move to the Spigurnell Hall, Old Court House in 1933.

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This remained the WI’s home until they moved to the newly built village hall.

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In the early years members excelled at handicrafts, needlework, and painting, and won many awards for their work. Members enjoyed amateur dramatics, singing and regularly entered and won regional competitions. The charabanc outings to Bristol, and Weston Super Mare were particular favorite events.

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A long held early tradition was the WI Market which ran regularly at The Old Court House bringing people together to barter, trade, purchase produce, and socialise. The WI also ran the Village Flower Show for many years before the Gardening Club took it on.

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During the 1950-60’s Whist Drives were a popular WI pastime, as well as table tennis with the village youth club.

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Some meeting traditions have survived 100 years, singing Jerusalem at special events, monthly competitions, and as in 1924, we still ensure there is time to socialise, enjoy a cuppa, and catch up with new, and old friends.

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Campaigning has always played a significant part of national and local WIs, and across the decades members have supported many campaigns - Preventing Oil Pollution 1927, Equal Pay for Equal Work 1943, Keep Britain Tidy 1954, to tackling stronger themes such as HIV AIDS Awareness 1986, and Stop Modern Slavery 2004.

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In 2024 the clock, and decades ticked over, and we celebrated 100 years of Long Sutton WI. A huge achievement, involving celebrations with the wider community, and a commemorative Centenary Exhibition with members creating the ‘Stitch in Time’ textile display, 100 Years in 100 Squares - the story of Long Sutton WI.

When and Where?

We meet on the third Thursday of each month (apart from August) at 7.30pm in Long Sutton village hall. Doors open at 7.15pm, we usually finish around 9:30pm.

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And there's more...

As well as monthly meetings we enjoy social outings to enjoy art, culture, history, local food & drink at gardens, houses, events, and pubs eg., The Sherborne, Black Shed, Dorchester Sculpture Park, Dawes Twine Museum, Shepton Mallet Prison, local Farms (Burrow Hill and Harry’s), as well as the annual Christmas lunch at The Devonshire Arms.

Contact

For more information about Long Sutton Levellers WI please contact either: ●

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Facebook: follow us for the latest news, and what we are getting up to: https://www.facebook.com/LongSuttonWI

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/long_sutton_wisomerset

 

SCFWI (Somerset County Federation Women's Institute)

Address: Somerset County Federation of Women's Institutes, 344 Bristol Road TA6 4BU. Tel: 01278 496400 Website: www.theWI.org.uk

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