Burleydam WI
Burleydam WI was established in 1945 by one of our current member’s mother. It has flourished over the past 80 years and we are all proud to be members of this small but very friendly group of local women. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in a delightful Community Room located at the rear of Burleydam Church. Disabled access is possible but we would require notice.
Joining a local group provides numerous benefits. It fosters friendships, enhances personal development and promotes a sense of belonging. Members enjoy a rich variety of activities from crafts to cooking to talks from our speakers on topics members may not be aware of. Our speakers and their topics are listed in the What’s On section.
Whether you’re looking to learn new skills, meet local women or make a difference to your life you can be sure of a very warm welcome at Burleydam WI.
Wider Group
The Women’s Institute is an important organisation in the UK, founded in 1915 initially
established to encourage women to become more involved in food production during WWI.
Royal family members have been supporters of the WI over the years in fact the late Queen Elizabeth II was a member. The WI offers all women a platform to meet together and support one another to discuss personal, local and National issues. The National Federation is based in London and campaigns each year on important issues voted for by members. Probably the most memorable one was Keep Britain Tidy, last year we campaigned for Cleaner Rivers. For more information visit http://www.nfwi.org.uk.
Cheshire Federation http://www.cfwi.org.uk is our County wide point of contact based in Chester.
There are 200 individual Women’s Institutes in Cheshire with 7500 members. Each month it cascades, information regarding National and Regional opportunities to share with members at our monthly meetings. Our South Cheshire local Malbank Group is made up of 12 individual WIs and the committee is represented by a member from each one. This wider South Cheshire Group is able to organise larger activities and meetings which can accommodate more members. A list of Malbank Group activities can be found in the What’s On section of this site.
Our values
The WI is a unique organisation shaped by its members. In 1915, we set out to give women a voice and to be a force for good in the community. Since then, our members and our ambitions alike have grown tremendously. Today, the WI is the largest women’s organisation in the UK and we pride ourselves on being a trusted place for all women of all generations, to share experiences and learn from each other. A WI membership offers the opportunity to meet women in your local area, to make friends and make a difference in your community. We campaign nationally on a wide range of issues and provide life-long learning and self-development opportunities for women in England and Wales.
Some words from our members…
Jean
‘Being a member of Burleydam WI enabled me
to develop my interests and progress to become a National judge in cookery and preserves’.
Joyce
‘Burleydam is a warm, inviting and friendly WI
with great speakers and interesting topics at the monthly meetings’.
Elizabeth
‘Over the last 34 years I’ve been a member of 3
institutes and have a wide circle of friends. I have learned new skills and been to new places,
enjoyed meeting new people
and been supported in difficult times, all
thanks to the Women’s Institute’.
Caroline
‘I joined Burleydam WI to support a friend and I
very much enjoy giving a helping hand at meetings and events. I was thrilled to be awarded the 2024 silver plate for winning monthly competitions’.
Chris
‘Having moved about the country I have had the
opportunity to join several WIs. Burleydam is small, friendly and well run. I find WIs are great for increasing knowledge of subjects I may not have looked at’.
Sarah
‘Soon after moving in 1995 I joined the local WI
when there was 30 members and it was a great way to get to know the local community at
enjoyable meetings and outings’.
Margaret
‘I really look forward to the WI meetings, it’s like a party every month’.
Angela
‘Good friends, good speakers, good fun’.
Joan
‘Fellowship with members. Wonderful speakers
at monthly meetings and a lovely cup of tea with home-made cake!’.
Rosemary
‘I’ve been a member of the WI for 50 years and enjoyed meeting new friends, it’s very nice to get together as a group’.
Briony
‘I received a warm welcome when I moved 10 years ago. Visiting speakers provide a fascinating insight into other worlds as they entertain us with anecdotes and inform us about their work, hobbies and skills. Come along and see for yourself’.
Karen
‘When I moved to a new neighbourhood I was asked to join the WI and immediately thought it’s not for me. How wrong was I? 16 years on I look forward to the entertainment, outings, meeting new friends and of course – the cake.’
Burleydam Women's Institute 