WI in Haddenham - End of an Era

Haddenham & Witchert WI — the end of an era after nearly 100 years

The history of the WI in Haddenham started on the 12th December 1922 with a membership of 32 ladies, and they took an active part in village life.

Interestingly, in 1926 the committee sent a letter to the Council regarding the bad state of paths and roads in the village — not much changes!

Members supported the war effort and the local community.

In 1975 the village was expanding and many of the women had full-time jobs, and being a proactive movement, an evening institute called Witchert WI was formed. Both institutes continued to grow and had a supporting relationship.

In 2007 the two institutes merged taking on the name Haddenham & Witchert WI.

Haddenham & Witchert WI has always been active in the village, providing Cakes and a Tombola at the Fete, cakes for the over 60's Club, taking part in The Scarecrow Festival, and Christmas Tree Festival.

Monthly meetings have provided interesting speakers and a social time, with lots of chatter and humour.

The Book Club and Coffee Mornings have taken place monthly and are still being enjoyed by members.

So, with all this positivity, why did it have to end?

As a Charity, we were required to have a Committee of Trustees, and none of our members felt that they were able to take on these roles anymore, having willingly taken them on in the past, and in some cases several times in the past!

The position now is that our WI has been suspended with the hope that over the next three years we may be able to re-open.

There are new WIs opening with women who are exploring different ideas of what they want from meeting up with other like-minded women within a National Organisation.

Under the Bucks and National Federation umbrella there is the opportunity to take part in Science Investigation Days, to be part of Campaigning Issues, and to join in with Craft workshops, competitions as well as a host of other activities.

If you would like any further information, you can contact our recent president by Email at: wawalden@gmail.com