The WI was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. During the war it became a crime to throw food away and the WIs were all given a sugar allowance so they could make jam, hence the reputation.
Who are Fulham & Chelsea WI?
The women who started Fulham & Chelsea WI felt that community spirit should be given a chance to flourish wherever people live. Their aim was for FCWI to offer local women the chance to make friends, learn new (and consolidate old) skills, while benefiting the surrounding community and feeling part of it too. FCWI has since gone from strength to strength, forming many friendships.
When & where do we meet?
We meet for a couple of hours at 7.30pm on the first Monday of each month (or the second Monday if it is a bank holiday) in The Boulevard Bar upstairs at: The Hollywood Arms, 45 Hollywood Road, London SW10 9HX.
What do we do?
As well as our monthly meetings, we have a Book Club and organise visits to art galleries and exhibitions. We also hold fundraising events, such as a cake stall at the local annual Parson’s Green Fair.
We also campaign and lobby on some pretty important issues too, such as the employment of more midwives, the closure of local libraries and the decline of the honeybee population, and support several different charities over the course of each year.
How does membership work?
Attendance to your first meeting is free – come and meet us! After this, we request a donation of £5.00 to help cover costs until you decide to become a member. The cost of membership to the WI for 2023 is £46.00. As part of this you will receive:
- WI Life magazine
- Attendance at 12 meetings a year
- Regular newsletters and mailings to keep you up-to-date with all the news and events from FCWI, your federation and the NFWI
- Discounts and special offers
Part of this money goes directly to the National Federation, but part stays with us and is used for running costs (such as paying for speakers).