Our very first meeting as the Swallowtail WI

The Swallowtails formed in September but our first official meeting as a WI was in October. We had the perfect speaker booked.

Stacey Armes, a fellow WI member (and now a Swallowtail) came to talk to us about the history of the WI. A sort of Who Do You Think We Are introduction that was perfect for those new to the WI as well as existing members.

I've been in the WI for four years and I learnt so much about the women who first established the Women's Institute in 1915.

It was incredible to realise how important the WI was to women, who up until that point did not have a voice and weren't allowed to vote. Women of all ages and social classes came together and sat side by side. They had an equal say in the running of their WI. It's a value that is still important today and one the Swallowtails intend to continue.

We learnt about the food production during World War 2 and the origins of Jam and Jerusalem. ​

Stacey also told us about Norfolk's role in the WI, including Sandringham WI, their president is the Queen! Blofield WI, just down the road from us, was only the second WI in Norfolk but now there are many more. With around 6,600 WIs in the UK and 212,000 members, we feel very proud to count ourselves among them.

Over the past hundred years the WI has been part of important social change in the UK.  It has been the foundation for many great friendships and new experiences. We hope to continue that tradition.

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