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.
The Northumberland Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI) was formed in 1917 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 2017.
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 111 WIs around the Federation with membership numbers ranging from 9 to 90.
Latest News
Resolutions 2021 – Time to make your choice
Deadline 18 January 2021 The shortlist of resolutions for the 2020/21 process has now been published on the NFWI website and on My WI along with a range of resources to support members in making their individual selections. You can access the resources here. The...
Membership Support – December 2020
Hello everyone, I have spoken with the other WI Advisers and I am pleased to say that we are all well and in relatively good spirits and I hope that the same applies to all of you. This time of year can be very difficult for many of us with the days getting colder and...
Office Closure during Christmas Break
Cresswell House is now closed until Monday 4 January 2021. If the matter is urgent please contact one of the Officers in the Yearbook Take care, stay safe and well. Wishing you a happy festive season and good health and happiness for 2021
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
Annual Council Meeting
TO BE CONFIRMED – DEPENDING ON GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE AT THE TIME
April 10 @ 11:00 am - 3:30 pm