Welcome to the Northumberland Federation
– a thriving and vibrant Federation
Whether you are a member, thinking of joining us or just visiting the region, I would like to welcome you to Northumberland.
Northumberland is one of the least known and most unspoilt regions in England. It contains the Cheviot Hills reaching to the Scottish Borders, some 50 miles of coastline of ‘outstanding natural beauty’ and, of course, Hadrian’s Wall, Holy Island and the Farnes.
Donate
As a charity, we do our best, fundraising via member fees, events, and other activities, but we are able to do so much more for our members and the wider community through your generosity, thank you!
The Northumberland Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI) was formed in 1918 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War.
Since then the organisation’s aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK.
The Northumberland Federation of WIs celebrated its centenary in 2018.
The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.
The WI is based on the ideals of fellowship, truth, tolerance and justice. The organisation is non-sectarian and non-party political. WIs are charitable and everything they do must be consistent with that special legal status.
Members and counting
We now have 95 WIs around the Federation with membership numbers ranging from 9 to 90.
Latest News
Online National Annual Meeting – Thursday 4th June 2026
The amended Link List indicating the delegates acting on behalf of the WIs within the Link List is being sent out with this newsletter. The two resolutions appearing on the agenda for the meeting are Access to Public Toilets and Action on Women’s Homelessness. You...
Treasurer’s update – April 2026
We have been moving slowly towards on-line banking over the last few weeks and I am pleased to say that by the time you receive this Newsletter an email will have been sent to Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers with clear instructions on how to proceed when a WI...
Membership Support update April 2026
Hello Ladies, another month gone already! I was dreading the Winter months coming around...and then suddenly we're 'on the other side' of Winter. It's true that time flies... It's also true to say that some of us have had a very bumpy ride recently - and difficult...
Chat from the Chair – April 2026
We have now passed the Vernal Equinox and so officially we can say that we have more daylight hours than darkness in each twenty four hours and that has to be enjoyed by us all. WI Advisers are now in top gear as far as doing Annual Meetings are concerned, sometimes...
Treasurer’s update – March 2026
This is a busy time of year for Federation treasurers. You will be collecting subs and many of you winding up your WI’s financial year. As always, your hard work is much appreciated. Later this month Northumberland Federation is hosting a meeting at Cresswell House of...
Member information update – March 2026
Thanks go to the 1853 members who took part in choosing the resolution to appear on the agenda of the National Annual Meeting in June – that’s 93.68% of the Northumberland Federation membership! The result is as follows: Public toilets (851), Women’s homelessness...
Upcoming Events
Our Next Event
We run events at Cresswell House, our Federation office in Seaton Burn as well as around the Federation.
From walking netball, to sugar-craft, join us for a talk on Claude Monet, or support the campaign to reduce plastic in our seas.
Each of our sub-committees run a variety of events which you can view by clicking one of the links below.
Alternatively you can view our events calendar here
Hop into Easter with a cute Bunny Cake Topper
Hop into the Easter celebrations and with guidance and support from tutor Anne Lake produce an Easte...
March 28 @ 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
