Welcome to the Women's Institute

 photograph of Women's Institute members and plant stall
We are a friendly and lively group and meet monthly at Granby Village Hall, where visitors and new members can always be assured of a warm welcome and a slice of cake! We currently have around 30 members, mostly drawn from Granby and Sutton, and other villages in the Vale of Belvoir. The Women's Institute, a registered charity, is the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK with over 220,000 members.

The aims and ideals of the WI haven't changed over the years. It exists "to educate women to enable them to provide an effective role in the community, to expand their horizons, and to develop and pass on important skills". This is illustrated now in events, outings, meetings and courses organised at local, county and National level, and there is something for everyone. 

In Granby & Sutton we are a group of like-minded women who can offer good company, support and inspiration to get involved in the local community. You can make new friends, learn new and fascinating things with our diverse speaker programme, help us raise money for our chosen charity of the year or to take part in a new activity.
photograph of Women's Institute members and jam stall
If you want to see what it’s all about, your first visit is free, just come along or contact Brenda Straw or Brenda Preece. Subscription fee to the W.I. is £42 for 2019, membership includes: monthly meetings, W.I. Life magazine delivered to your home, a monthly Hornblower newsletter, invitations to a diverse range of events and activities and opportunities to become involved in the WI at a local or national level plus access to Member’s only resources on the national WI webpage.

To learn more about the W.I., click the links to the National Federation of Women's Institutes, or the Nottinghamshire Federation.

Beginnings
Granby and Sutton W.I. held its first meeting on 14 January 1942, and meetings have taken place ever since on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Its history is fascinating. Much of the member's time and energy in the early years was devoted to the War Effort. The minutes record the Granby and Sutton ladies being requested to gather stinging nettles, used for making, among other things, nettle soup, grew potatoes and made meat pies, and of course, jam!. Linda Singleton President from 2003 to 2007 wrote a short account of the early days of Granby & Sutton W.I.

Granby Church
​Kneeler Project Volunteers

 photograph of Women's Institute members who made the Granby church kneelers

Charity of the Year
​2019
Rainbow Horses
Specialist alternative education through equine assisted learning activities.

Rainbow Horses offer equine assisted learning and equine interaction for children and young people with autism, social or communication difficulties and issues related to trauma. Equine activities can also improve motor skills, assist sensory integration, increase confidence and have a calming effect, as well as being a healthy outdoor leisure pursuit.

The Granby & Sutton W.I. will host fundraising events during the year  including coffee mornings and a summer social to raise money for Rainbow Horses vital work with children and young people.

W.I. Christmas Stall - Seasonal Produce and Festive Crafts
Granby and Sutton W.I. had their Christmas Stall packed with seasonal produce and festive crafts at the parish monthly coffee morning in the Village Hall on Saturday 7 December.    All proceeds will be going to 'The Rainbow Horses Trust' in Harby.

Next Meeting
​12 February 2020
​Nottingham Playhouse - A Year in the Life.
Adam Penfold - Artistic Director
7.30pm Granby Village Hall