The Women's Institute - Northumberland

April Spring Flower workshop
2025-04-05 10:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Come along to Cresswell house and join us for a Spring Table Arrangement workshop. Using Spring flowers and foliage, be guided by Alison Scrimshaw, an experienced tutor, on how to produce a beautiful arrangement to complement your Easter decorations. All flowers, foliage and materials will be provided.

This workshop is suitable for beginners and those with some experience. (Closing date: 25 Mar 2025)

At the end of this tutorial you will be leaving with a beautiful Spring Table Arrangement, what a great way to mark the start of Spring.. The price includes absolutely everything you need. £15 per WI members (£20 for non members, although preference will be given to WI members if over subscribed). As space is limited, an afternoon session MAY be available.

The Strudel Lady
2025-03-25 10:00 - 12:30 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Come to Cresswell House demo kitchen on Tuesday 25th March, 10 for 10:30, to meet new to the wider Federation ‘The Strudel lady’, on arrival you’ll be greeted with hot drink and something to nibble, then go through to the demo kitchen to meet Lucia, who will show you how to make delicious tasting Strudels’ and whilst its baking tell you about her life in Vienna, then once the beautiful creation is ready and has filled Cresswell House with delicious smells you will get a slice to eat along with a hot drink!

(Closing date: 10 Mar 2025) What a delicious way to spend a Tuesday! £15 per person

Food Safety Level 2 certificate
2025-03-22 08:45 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
If your WI serves food either to members or visitors, it is strongly advised that at least one member of your WI has an up to date food safety level 2 Certificate

We have arranged a Saturday course on March 22nd at Cresswell House, with Kevin Johnson, an accredited trainer, to give you the opportunity to pass that ‘multi choice test’.

Cresswell house will open at 8:45 the course will start promptly at 9:30. You will need a packed lunch, course will be finished by 4pm (Closing date: 4 Mar 2025
Cost: £32 per WI member (£37 for non WI members – however if over subscribed, preference will be given to WI members)

Treasurer's workshop - Beginners
2025-03-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
The 2025 Treasurers’ Workshops have been arranged to give all treasurers, new or experienced and everyone in between, the opportunity to reinforce current knowledge and practice. We hope you will bring your queries and discussion issues to the group, where you will meet other treasurers and share your knowledge. The sessions, run by Rosie Harden-Vane, are described below.
As usual there will be practical exercises as well as opportunity for discussion. Please bring your own scrap paper, pens, pencils, rubbers, 12” ruler and a calculator.
The workshops are as follows:

Session 1 Saturday 15 March,10 am to approx 1pm: Beginners – from completing the Accounts Book to balancing the Financial Statement, this is aimed at new treasurers with up to two years’ experience.
Session 2 Saturday 5 April,10am to approx 1pm: Columns and the Financial Statements – how to use Account Book columns and transfer totals to the FS to ensure the perfect balance at year end.
Session 3 Wednesday 23 April, 6.30pm to 9pm: Refresher – aiming to cover everything a treasurer needs to know across the WI accounting year.

For Saturday sessions, Cresswell House will open at 10am for registration and refreshments, sessions starting promptly at 10.30am, aiming for a 1pm finish. For the Wednesday session, Cresswell House will open at 6.30pm for a prompt 7pm start.
Closing date for all workshops is Monday 3rd March 2025, Cost per session is £5 per WI.

Domino Drive
2025-03-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
A tried and tested format which we hope you will enjoy. A sandwich lunch with home-made cake to follow.

This should set you up for an afternoon of competitive fun – closing date: 28th February 2025

£9.00 per person

Get to know your sewing machine & make a Tote Bag
2025-03-06 10:30 - 12:30 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
In response to your requests for a basic sewing machine class – Kim Suleman will help you get to know your own sewing machine and you will make a Tote Bag.
All materials supplied. The picture is an example of a bag Kim has made earlier!.. Closing date: 20th Feb 2025.

Willow Weaving - Bird Feeders (session 2 afternoon)
2025-02-22 13:30 - 15:30 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Willow Weaving-Bird Feeders on the 22nd February. Ruth Thompson who appeared in the Robson Green ‘Weekend Escapes’ TV series will be teaching you the skills to interlock the willow branches to create a couple of Bird Feeders that were featured on TV.
Cost is £35 per person – closing date: 7th February 2025

Willow Weaving - Bird Feeders (session 1 morning)
2025-02-22 10:30 - 12:30 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS

Newcastle 'Walk' - Slide Show - CANCELLED
2025-02-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
New idea! “the Newcastle Walk Slide Show” to be held at Cresswell House on Thursday 13 February 2025. The “walk” will take us on the journey from “sickness to health” from Dirty Dicks to the RVI. No walking, no climbing, no hills. Sit in comfort and and listen to Pat Lowery, City Guide, who has taken us on many interesting walking tours. The afternoon starts at 2 pm with coffee and cake and will finish at approximately 4 pm. The cost is £12.50 per person. The closing date for applications is 28 January 2025.

Christmas 'Beetle' Drive
2024-12-11 13:30 - 15:30 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Your Christmas fun starts here! This year, Tinkerbell is to be out Christmas Fairy ‘Beetle’. So put this date at 13:30 in your diaries.
Christmas cake & cheese for refreshments included in cost of £8 per person. Closing Date: Tuesday 26th November

Christmas Wreath making & Festive food - CANCELLED
2024-12-07 09:30 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Very popular Wreath making accompanied by some fabulous Festive food.
Session 1: 09:30 for 10:00 workshop (2.5 hours) followed by Festive Food lunch
Session 2: 11:45 for 12:15 Festive food lunch followed by workshop starting at 13:30 (2.5 hours)
cost: £45 per person.
Closing date: 12th November, 2024

Cathedral Christmas Celebration
2024-12-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, St Nicholas Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 1PF
Come and join us for a Christmas Celebration at Newcastle Cathedral. The service lasts for about 1 hour. You should be seated in the Cathedral by 13:45.

Pastels with Mags - Christmas Mouse
2024-12-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
An opportunity for you to join a pastel drawing class, or classes, with Mags from Shotley WI. Learning this skill has transformed her life. So, who knows? The theme for the classes is what are very cute “Seasonal Mice”, from Harvest and Halloween to Christmas Mags guarantees a finished picture at the end of each session. All materials are provided, with coffee and biscuits on arrival but bring a packed lunch for the break.
Time: 10:00 for 10:30 start
Price: £25.00 per person per session
Closing Date: Thurs 22 August

Christmas Craft day & lunch
2024-11-30 10:00 - 15:30 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
The Christmas multi craft day is the Crafts’ committee favourite event. Lunch will be provided and the opportunity to create 3 different crafts throughout the day. Crafts include: Festive card making; Wire baubles and fabulous Fondant reindeers. (Everything will be provided). Cost: £35 per person
Closing date 5th November, 2024

Lindisfarne Gospels
2024-11-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Returning by popular demand, Ross Wilkinson will be giving a talk about the Lindisfarne Gospels on Wednesday 13 November 2024 at Cresswell House. Refreshments will be available.
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Price: £10
Closing Date: Friday 25 October 2024

So you think you can (or can't sing)...
2024-11-09 10:30 - 13:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Come to Cresswell House to meet Jill Brown, she will show us that the answer is yes (you CAN) sing… This is a 2 hour session with coffee & biscuits on arrival, water available throughout to keep your vocal chords lubricated..
Cost: £11 per person
Closing date: Tues 22nd October, 2024

Pastels with Mags - Autumn Mouse !!CANCELLED!!
2024-11-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS

Needle Felting
2024-11-02 10:00 - 17:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
We are pleased to be bringing you a needle felting class with expert Lisa Kenny at Cresswell House. Lisa will introduce you to the skills of needle felting and you will then go onto to create one of the animals illustrated. With your newfound skills you will take home all of the equipment and materials to create the second animal at home. We have either a morning or afternoon session available on the day. Cost is £35 per person for the Class and all materials are provided.
Time: 9:30 for 10:00 start or 13:00 for 13.30 start
Price: £35
Closing Date: Monday 9 September 2024

Federation Quiz - Final
2024-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
The winners and runner up teams from each of the heats will be competing against each other at the final. Held at Cresswell House on Thursday 17th October.

Jigsaw Compettion
2024-10-14 11:00 - 14:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Can you complete a 500 piece jigsaw in 2 hours?. All teams of 3 (don’t have to be from the same WI) will have the same jigsaw. There will be a break for light, sweet & savoury lunch. Winners are the first to complete or closest to completion after the allotted time. (cost: £10 per person)
Closing date: Tues 1st October, 2024

Crewel Embroidery Course - Second Session
2024-10-07 10:30 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
Following the popularity of the Embroidery Workshop last year, we are really pleased to bring you a two day Crewel Embroidery Course at Cresswell House led by the talented Marian Fairless. She will introduce you to Crewel work, showing you lots of different examples, as well as teaching you a variety of surface decoration and line stitches.
You will be provided with all of the fabrics, wool and embroidery hoops to enable you to practise those new stitches and then go on to create a finished traditional crewel embroidery piece. Cost is £30 per person for the course. Bring a packed lunch. Closing date is noon 9 September.
Closing Date: Monday 9 September

Annual Council Meeting
2024-10-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4DX
The Annual Council Meeting will be held on Saturday 5 October 2023 in the Performing Arts Centre – The Miller Theatre, Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX starting at 11am, doors open from 10am. It will be necessary to apply for observer / visitor tickets.
Further information to come nearer the date.

Literary Lunch with Dr Mel Gibson
2024-10-02 12:30 - 16:30 | Hexham Mart, Tyne Green, Hexham, NE46 3SG
Wednesday 2 October 2024 from 12:30pm with lunch at 1:00pm in the Banqueting Suite, Hexham Mart.
There will be a bottle raffle and three course lunch followed by a talk by Mel Gibson, who will take us back to our youth and talk about the history of girl’s comics. The cost for this fantastic event is a mere £35.00. The bar will be open and as you all know there is ample good car parking at the Mart.
This is a major fundraiser for the Federation, and we would love to see the Banqueting Hall full, so, make your choices and send the form back to Cresswell House along with your cheque for £35 by Friday 20 September. One copy per application.
You can find out more information on her webpage: https://www.dr-mel-comics.co.uk/

Pastels with Mags - Halloween Mouse
2024-10-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS

Crewel Embroidery Course - First Session
2024-09-30 10:30 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS

Food Hygiene Course - Level 2
2024-09-28 09:30 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
If your WI serves food either to members or visitors or because you cater for others it is strongly advised that you have at least one member who has an up-to-date Food Safety level 2 certificate. The recommended practice is that this is renewed every three years.
We have arranged a course on Saturday 28 September 2024. The tutor will be Kevin Johnson, a fully accredited trainer.
The course will be held at Cresswell House and start promptly at 9.30 am, tea and coffee will be available beforehand. Please bring a packed lunch.
The course includes: Topic A – Introduction to Food Safety; Topic B – Legislation; Topic C – Food Safety Hazards; Topic D – Taking Temperatures Topic; E – Refrigeration, Chilling, Holding of Food Topic; F – Cooking, Hot Holding & Reheating Food; Topic G – Food Handlers; Topic H – Principles of Safe Food Storage; Topic I – Cleaning; Topic J – Food Premises and Equipment. There will be a 30 question multichoice assessment at the end of the day.
The fee for the course is £30.00 and your WI can pay the fee. Members are also welcome to take the course on an individual basis.
It is an expectation that all WIs will have at least one member who has a current Food Safety certificate unless your Institute never serves food to members or guests. It is particularly important if your WI is ever involved in catering for local events or anything outside of normal meetings. The Food Standards Agency is currently looking at guidelines for catering done on a voluntary basis e.g., at charity events and this is your opportunity to be prepared!
For further details please see the booking form. If the session is oversubscribed, we will try and arrange another.
Closing date: Tuesday 3 September

Federation Quiz heats
2024-09-26 19:00 - 21:00
Four venues for the heats: Newbrough Town Hall: Breamish Hall, Powburn: St Columa’s Church Hall, Wideopen and Ulgham WI Hall
Up to 4 members per team (any WI may enter more than 1 team) The cost per team is £12.
Closing date: Tue 3 September, 2024

Visit to Trinity House
2024-09-25 11:00 - 14:00 | Trinity House, Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ
We hope you will join us on a visit to Trinity House on Wednesday 25 September 2024 at 11am. Have a tour of this beautiful building in Broad Chare, off the Quayside, next to the Law Courts in Newcastle. This charity was in charge of shipping and collecting fees from ships coming into the Tyne, as well as lighthouses. They got their first Royal Charter from Henry VIII so there is much history to explore with a professional guide. The tour lasts approximately two hours including tea and biscuits. Unfortunately, there are MANY STEPS into the building so this event IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ANYONE WITH MOBILITY PROBLEMS. The price is £12.50 for the tour and refreshments. Closing date Friday 6 September 2024.
Closing Date: Friday 6 September 2024

Proper Programme Planning
2024-09-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-09-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Cresswell House, 11/12 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Northumberland, NE13 6DS
If you are involved in arranging your WI’s programme, you are invited to a get-together at Cresswell House on Monday 23 September 2024 for a session of informal chat and the sharing of ideas on how to make your meetings interesting and activities fun! Come along with any recommendations of speakers and any suggestions you may have to share with the WI Advisers and fellow members. The afternoon session will run from 2.00 – 4.00 pm and the evening from 7.00 – 9.00 pm. Please choose which one you would like to attend. Light refreshments will be served with a soft drink. We hope to see you then!
The cost is £5 per WI.
Closing date: Monday 2 September 2024.
