This is WI’s current campaign as there are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests a year in the UK, and less than one in ten people survive. Women have a lower chance of surviving than men. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival. We call on WI members to work together to increase public confidence and training in the delivery of CPR and to work with local organisations to help improve access to defibrillators in their communities to give every person the best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.

Next Thursday, 16th October, is Restart a Heart Day 2025.

If you only do one thing next week, please read and learn about what you can do.  Restart a Heart Day 2025 – learn life-saving CPR | St John Ambulance

As we met in Burbush car park, we put on our walking boots and jackets, after all it is October and the weather has been a little unpredictable (strong winds with Storm Amy, large puddles on the road) of late.  Seven of us set off across the land, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, the panorama stunning and the New Forest ponies were relaxed as we wandered by.  It wasn’t long before the jackets came off as the temperature was around 17C.  It was a perfect day to get together and admire our wonderful landscape.  Thank you to Linda for organising the walk.

Some members of Bransgore WI have explored a range of activities over the last couple of weeks.  Our History Group looked back by visiting an excellent interactive ‘Titanic’ exhibition at Sea City Museum, Southampton; our talented Crafty Girls are looking forward and planning for Christmas and the Camera Club stayed at home to examine (and reminisce) members photographs taken on a holiday.  The common thread?  Everyone had a good time with friends.  On Monday, it’s our regular trip for a coffee and cake at a local venue when we can chat about what we have been doing.

Many of you reading this will have spent a day at this year’s New Forest Show in July.  Did you visit the WI marquee?  If you did I’m sure you will  have been impressed by the vast array of beautiful items on display.  The theme for entries this year was  “Wonderfully Wild” and our clever BEWI members entered into the spirit producing items as diverse as “Knit a wild animal” to “Wildly arranged flowers”.  One that attracted substantial entry was to produce a child’s quilt for Southampton’s Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.  These charming quilts are now doing their job and hopefully lifting spirits for very sick children.

So a round of applause was well deserved last night at our monthly meeting for our inventive, imaginative and nibble fingered members – well done.

Act Now Change Forever Mass Lobby
On 9 July, the WI joined over 5,000 people at the Act Now, Change Forever mass lobby. It was a powerful, hopeful reminder of what’s possible when we show up – together – for climate and nature.
Members of the public, and the WI, met with over 200 MPs for in-depth conversations full of honesty, emotion and connection; sharing their stories of flooding, fairness and the future. MPs listened as WI members told them that we need real leadership that protects what matters most — our health, our nature, our communities, our climate, and our future.
Meanwhile, at the Lobby Hub at the QEII Centre, a range of speakers, stalls, and activities brought campaigners together to learn and get inspired for their meetings. The NFWI has, as a founder member, supported the Climate Coalition in planning and delivering the lobby; as well as encouraging and supporting WI members to attend. On the day, we held a very busy WI stall, showcasing our environmental campaigns and highlighting our members’ craftivism as a campaigning tool. It was a truly great day.

A Win for Women’s Health: Campaign Success for 5 Minutes That Matter!
The NFWI campaigns team rejoiced as NHS England announced their plans to introduce at-home HPV self-sampling to the under-screened population from January 2026. This decision has been taken partially in response to the public consultation on HPV self-sampling, which the NFWI responded to based on over 700 member survey responses. A huge thank you to all WI members who shared their stories and perspectives on the potential introduction of at-home HPV self-sampling. Your involvement in the consultation helped turn a promising idea into policy change, and is a real step forward in tackling the barriers to cervical screening!

Are you looking for something new in 2025? How about joining your local WI or a virtual one? Or if you can’t make it to regular meetings, why not try our WI Supporter option? Forge friendships, learn new skills, have your voice heard and make a difference in your community. 

One of the advantages of joining the WI is having access to The WI Learning Hub.  Yesterday I thought I would test it out and booked myself on to Julie’s Sketch Walk : A Rose Garden.  Whilst I’m much happier creating spreadsheets than knitting or sewing or crafting (ask anyone in BEWI!) I’m aware it is good to learn new skills plus WI offers lots of opportunities.  Booking was easy and as a member, there’s no cost.  An email gave me all the information I needed about pens, brushes, paper etc so I set up at the appointed time.  It’s an advantage to have a computer with a bigger screen and the instructor can’t see what you are doing so you don’t have to feel embarrassed if you don’t think you are any good!  Julie was great at explaining what needs to be done and, of course, she made it look easy.  To be honest, once I got my paint brush wet and followed what Julie demonstrated, I found I was enjoying myself.  I recommend that you give it a go.  The WI Learning Hub sends weekly emails with the program (you can also access if you are not a member but there is a charge) so no excuse for not knowing.

On the banks of the Beaulieu River, in the heart of the New Forest, BEWI Camera Club visited the picture perfect unspoilt haven of Buckler’s Hard. The views are simply wonderful and we felt the hug of history.  Added to all the usual beauty was a free exhibition showcasing the finest images from past Beaulieu River photo competitions.  We admired the photographs, immediately being captured by a stunning photo of a family of swans but then there was a fiery sunset and another with a perfect reflection of a wading bird.  Which one was the best?  We all voted and were inspired.  Refreshments were then a priority before we headed off for a river cruise.  It’s a marvellous way to view the river and the surrounding countryside.  No white tailed eagles or seals were spotted but it is an area teeming with wildlife.  Definitely worth a visit.  Take your camera!

In the last year 22,000 women have joined the WI and 59 new WIs have been formed.  So for an organisation that was formed 110 years ago this September, we must be doing something right.  The WI is the UK’s biggest and most powerful women’s organisation so let’s keep working together to improve lives for women.  It’s not all high-powered meetings, we all love having a chat over a coffee.  Whether you join a small WI or one of the larger groups in our area, we hope you will find things to enjoy.  So if you are thinking, perhaps I need to find out more, Bransgore Evening’s next meeting is in September.  Click on the ‘Join Us’ tab and send a message, we’ll be pleased to hear from you.

This month members of BEWI visited stunning Athelhampton House, the historic Tudor Great Hall, built by Sir William Martyn in 1485.  Members explored the marvellous house extended during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I which has more than 20 historic rooms to visit, displaying antique furniture, heraldic stained glass and architectural details. They had the extremely knowledgeable Head Gardener Sophie, show them around the five acres of award-winning gardens including four walled formal gardens, each with pools and fountains. 

Everyone agreed it was a worthwhile and enjoyable day.  If you haven’t visited Athelhampton, it’s near Dorchester.

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