News & Events

🎉FEDERATION EVENTS 2025

2025 Not in my Name Competition

The competition poster is below and the closing date is 3 November 2025 so plenty of time to create a banner.

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Here are a few photos from our Co-operative Competition Training Day on Friday, 17 October at Goytre Village Hall. GFWI Members are getting training to enter Competition Day and Federation Day 2026. A big thank you to Gill Thomas for your advice and guidance during the day. Thank you to everyone who came and to all the helpers......

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GWENTS GOT TALENT

Saturday, 11 October

Well, what a wonderful time we all had at “GWENTS GOT TALENT” at Usk Memorial Hall on Saturday evening!

The 10 WIs taking part took us on a Magical Mystery Tour.

The tour started in the school room where members of Abergavenny/Y Fenni WI were having an English lesson. Everything was very calm until a very outspoken student arrived and disrupted the class.

Then we walked 500 miles and then 500 more and arrived at the village square where we were able to watch a lively colourful group of Morris Dancers from Llantilio Pertholey WI.

In need of refreshments, we visited the Happy Café where we encountered 2 Welsh ladies, 2 hikers and a very patient waitress from Rogiet WI.

Next it was pantomime time and Beechwood WI did their very own version of Cinderella. Poor Cinderella she was very “sad” at first but thankfully she was “alright” in the end!

After the pantomime we had an audience with the Beverley Sisters of Pontllanfraith WI singing “Sisters” a gorgeous sight to behold!

We then visited a very up market milliners run by Usk WI to find a beautiful hat for the vicars’ wife.

Then it was time for the latest remake of Grease the musical. The ladies of Llantilio Crossenny WI lit up the stage with their wonderful singing and dancing.

Three ladies from Llandogo WI treated us to a great comedy sketch relating to a WI meeting.

More comedy ensued with Gilwern WI entertaining us with their version of “Four Candles”.

Finally, we went along to the Halloween meeting of Bryngwyn Witches Institute and by the end of their performance we were ready to sign up as multi members!

All in all, it was a wonderful evening of fabulous entertainment by WI members, whose imagination and ingenuity knew no bounds. It was full of fun and laughter, and it was lovely to see Usk Memorial Hall full of WI ladies.

Thank you to the organisers of the event especially Penny Blood, Lynn Davies and the Combined Arts Team. Also massive thanks to all the ladies who took part in the show and to those ladies and gentlemen who came to support the performers on the night.

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GFWI trip to the NFWI Wales Conference in March 2026

We will travel on 25 March and stay 2 nights at the Premier Inn, Aberystwyth at a cost of £322 per person for a single room and £213 per person for a twin room on a bed and breakfast basis only.

You will be free to spend your evenings as you wish although the Premier Inn does have a restaurant if you feel that you do not wish to venture far from the Hotel.

The cost mentioned above includes coach travel and your entry ticket to the Conference.

A non-refundable deposit of £55 and a completed booking form (available from Federation Office or from your WI Treasurer) is due by 30/11/2025 to secure your place.

The final payment will be due by 15/01/2026.

We are hoping to stop at a place of interest on the way to Aberystwyth and again on the return journey, these will be optional.

Details of stops and any cost tbc.

Abergavenny Food Festival

Saturday/Sunday, 20 & 21 September

Abergavenny/Y Fenni WI were out and about in the town in three different locations during the Abergavenny Food Festival, raising awareness and promoting the WI. Pictured is Jenny Powell, one of three members, who took turns to ‘window sit’, in their window display in the High street in the centre of the town.

Thank you and well done Abergavenny/Y Fenni WI!

New members are always welcome. The WI meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 2pm in Methodist Church Hall, Castle Street, Abergavenny NP7 5EE Contact secretary@gwentwi.org.uk or phone 01633 864456 for more information.

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Friday, 3 October

Great afternoon with over 50 members playing New Age Kurling at High Cross Community Hall.

Congratulations to the winning team from St Mellons WI.

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Candlelight Vigil - 6pm on the steps of the Senedd

Join the vigil to show solidarity with survivors of violence against women and girls across the world. The vigil will be addressed by survivors; Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice; Lyndon Roberts, White Ribbon Ambassador; and cross-party representatives.

The vigil will take place outside on the steps of the Senedd (weather permitting). Alternatively, the vigil will take place in the Pierhead building and a short walk will take place around the building at the end. To minimise the risk of burns or wax spilling on the Senedd steps, please bring your candle in a holder/container/jar or bring a battery-operated LED candle.

Please register here to attend the vigil:

https://www.thewi.org.uk/.../register-now-candlelight...

Should you have any questions about the events, please contact

s.thomas@nfwi-wales.org.uk

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November - 10 December), NFWI-Wales will be hosting 2 events at the Senedd on Monday 17 November 2025, sponsored by Joyce Watson MS.

Stakeholder event (hybrid) on the theme of online harm, Neuadd, Senedd (11am until 1pm) Confirmed panel speakers:

* Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice

* Lynne Elliott, Chief Executive, White Ribbon UK

* Professor Olga Jurasz, Professor of Law and Director of the Centre for Protecting Women Online

Light refreshments will be available from 11am. There will also be an opportunity to network and sign the Not in my Name pledge board between 11am and 11.20am.

Please register your attendance, in person or online, here:

Dates for your diary

Sat 27 Sept – Transition Monmouth Plant Sale/Coffee Morning at Monmouth Priory 9.30am to Noon. This popular event brings together plants & flowers, coffee & cake, kids crafts, gardening books and tools. Come along to socialise, swap gardening tips and maybe grab a new plant or two.

Sun 28 Sept – Wyesham Woods Gathering at Woods Fire Pit 2pm – come along and join in the planning of future works and events in this community woodland.

Sat 4th Oct - Ecofest 2025. Taking place at the Riverfront, Theatre, Newport between 10am and 3pm, the event is bringing together all elements of sustainability under one roof to create a fun family-friendly event. There will be performances, EV test drives, stalls, workshops and more.

Sun 5 Oct – Apple Pressing at Rockfield Community Centre 1:30 – 3:30pm. There is always a good turnout at this fun family event. Come long whether you have apples or not, as there is usually plenty to spare and it’s been a bumper fruit crop this year. On the day, bring clean bottles, e.g. plastic drinks bottles, to take juice away and have a go at pulping and pressing the fruit. Did you know there is a community orchard in Monmouth? Head past the allotments to discover the orchard where you can pick your own.

Friday 10th Oct * 7pm - "Rethinking Growth" talk at Usk Memorial Hall and Saturday 11th Oct * 10am - Interactive Climate Connectivity Workshop. Sam Baker’s story is pretty remarkable - a grandfather who walked from London to Glasgow and left his corporate career to help communities reimagine what's possible. His approach is refreshingly hopeful and practical. Just £5 per session, and you can pop along to one or both depending on what sparks your interest. Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FBYA

Sat 11 Oct – Nearly New Sale at Bridges Community Centre Monmouth, 1 to 3pm. This is a sale of pre-loved everything for bumps, kids and teens. A chance to buy and sell for your growing family.

Did you know Monmouthshire now has 4 Repair Cafes! Dates for October are:

Chepstow – Sat 4thOctober 10am – 1pm

Goytre – Sat 11th October 10am – 1pm

Abergavenny – Sat 18thOctober 11am – 2pm

Monmouth – Sun 19thOctober 2 – 4pm

The River Festival, Usk

The Public Affairs and Campaigns (PAC) team braved the weather to promote what the WI are doing to stop river and waterways pollution. The River Festival in Usk had a good range of stalls all linked to protecting our environment. Angela Jones who has spearheaded saving our rivers from pollution thought the fish, handmade by our WI members, were wonderful. Well done to the PAC team for getting out there with the River Goddess to promote our campaign. Thanks to all the members who made all the marvellous fish. They really attracted some interest.

Usk WI also had a stand at the Festival and joined the PAC team in the River Festival procession through Usk.

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Thank you to all the members who created these fantastic fish. They will be used to decorate the GFWI stand at the Usk River Festival promoting the Clean Rivers campaign. Brave the showers and come along.....

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Gwent Federation Picnic in the Park

What a wonderful day we had on Saturday, 12 July. Gwent Federation of WIs, Picnic in the Park went to Picnic in the Hall, except Newbridge WI, who braved the intense heat and pitched their Gazebo and table under a tree in the adjoining parkland. We made the best of it and members enjoyed the 110yrs Celebrations of the WI.

Congratulations to Sue, Yvonne and Amanda on winning the "Best Dressed Table" for Newbridge WI. The other category was 'Alternative WI Table' in which Goytre & Penperlleni WI and Abergavenny WI came joint first. Congratulations to all 3 WIs

All your tables were just amazing. The judges had a very hard job on their hands!!! Well done everyone even if you didn’t win this time.

A special thank you to Robert Parker our Saxophonist who played a variety of music throughout the afternoon. Robert had many requests from our members which they thoroughly enjoyed dancing to.

Thanks go to Angela for making the beautiful cake for us, it was delicious. A big thank you to everyone who came and supported us and to all the helpers......we couldn't put on these events without you

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Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve

On Saturday 24 May, eleven members of WIs across Gwent took part in a guided walk in the Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve. All thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The photos were taken by Jessica Morgan from Beechwood WI. Thank you to all who took part.

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Wales National Armed Forces Day - Monmouthshire - 28th June 2025

This year's Wales' Armed Forces Day promises a spectacular line-up of headline attractions that will thrill and inspire attendees of all ages.

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It is not too late to book your place at GFWI’s Literary Afternoon Tea with Justine Pullan on Friday, 13 June at 2pm in Usk Memorial Hall. Great speaker, Justine’s 1st Novel was ‘I’M GOING TO FIND YOU’ published in 2022. Justine’s 2nd suspense Novel published in 2024 ‘I KNOW YOU WERE THERE ‘. A gripping murder mystery set within the eerie atmosphere of Dartmoor. An independent sequel to the author’s very successful first novel I’m Going to Find You. Lovely Afternoon Tea and great company. To book your place please ring Rachel, GFWI secretary on 01633 864456 or email: secretary@gwentwi.org.uk

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GFWI Skittles Evening

Tuesday, 21 May

Congratulations to Gilwern WI, winners of our Skittles evening.

Thanks to all who took part making it an enjoyable evening.

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80th Anniversary of VE Day

Wednesday, 7 May

Last night Barbara Atton and Rosanna O'Shea attended a very special evening in Llandaff Cathedral, representing NFWI Wales at a Service of Thanksgiving marking the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. They were sat next to Ann and Maggie from Glamorgan Federation it was great to chat with them before and after the service. The First Minister Eluned Morgan, introduced herself to us and said she was aware of the WI Campaign ‘Thinking Differently’, our campaign that seeks to raise awareness of Autism and ADHD in women and girls and to take action to improve the diagnosis process.

Let us know how you’re celebrating and share your pictures with us!

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Gwent Federation Board 2025

Your Gwent Federation Board 2025. From L to R..Lizzie Judd (Gilwern WI), Nicola Awni (GaP WI), seated new Secretary Rachel Saunders (Abergavenny WI), Karen Green (GaP), Mary Clarke (Chair and Govilon WI), Gill Lewis (Beechwood WI), Rosanna O'Shea (Little Mill and Panteg WIs), Judith Meese (Usk WI), Babz Atton (Panteg WI) and our retiring Secretary, Angela Lloyd. Another Trustee, Lynn Davies of GaP WI, is missing from the photo.

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NFWI-Wales 100th Annual Conference

Wednesday, 16 April

Members of Gwent Federation spent a lovely day, yesterday, in Canolfan Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli for the NFWI-Wales 100th Annual Conference. Jill Rundle, Chair of NFWI-Wales welcomed over 500 members to the Conference. Inspirational speakers were The NFWI (National Federation of Women's Institutes) Chair Jeryl Stone, Steve Ormerod, Professor of Ecology at Cardiff University, Mari Thomas, Contemporary Jeweller, Goldsmith and Artist and Melanie Johnson, Deputy Health Director of UK-Med and the UK Emergency Medical Team. To close, we were entertained with a wonderful performance by Rock Choir Wales - Choirs led by Dan Rogers.

The date for next year’s conference is Thursday, 26 March 2026 in Aberystwyth.

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Co-operative competition

Saturday, 12 April

Congratulations to all those who entered the Competitions today

Kath Rees Devauden WI won the floral art and Agincourt WI won the Co-operative competition.

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🎉FEDERATION EVENTS 2024

After the First World War, 400,000 women in Wales signed a petition which they presented to the USA Government calling for the end to all wars. Today, the Board of Trustees of Gwent Federation visited St Fagans Museum to view an exhibition on the history of Welsh Women's Peace Movement. We all enjoyed the visit as well as finding it educational. So Ladies, if you are at a loss of where to take your kids/grandkids/visitors or just looking for a day out, we commend the exhibition to you.

Friday, 12 July

Line Dancing

This will be a fun evening and is an opportunity to dress up in denims, Cowboy hats and boots, If you wish! Please book with Federation Office by Sunday, 30 June.

Saturday, 16 June

Gwent Federation of WI Tree planted last year is now in full leaf, growing and flourishing. Planted remembering all WI members past and present.

Wednesday, 5 June

Gwent Federation of WIs Delegates and Observers at the Royal Albert Hall for NFWI Annual Meeting.

The theme at NFWI’s Annual Meeting this year was Anti-violence against women. The speakers were excellent, all focused on domestic violence.

Ann Jones, NFWI Chair welcomed guests, members at the Royal Albert Hall and the members online to the meeting. We sang Jerusalem. There were 4,000+ members in the Hall itself - and hundreds more joining online - it was nothing short of electric

Jeryl Stone the Honorary Treasurer presented an overview of the organisations' accounts.

The Financial Annual Review was sent out to all WIs. Summary of Accounts sent to all Federations and WIs in March 2024.

Total Income £366m…….decrease 63.5%

Total Expenditure £4.17m

Deficit £0.51m

Losses in investments £200k

Net deficit £709m

Total Funds 30 September 2023

Tangible Assets £312k

Investments £4.18m

Net current assets £9.46m

Total Funds £13.29m

Resolution Results

For : 4578

Against: 214

Percentage 95% voted

VIP Speakers at the NFWI Annual Meeting

Spice Girl Mel Brown, MBE was interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire about her 10 year abusive marriage, actor Timothy Watson, AKA Titchener from The Archers, and Teresa Parker from Women's Aid. Also Nazir Afzal, OBE, former Chief Prosecutor, who has personally been behind the prosecution of many male abusers of women and girls. Nazir received a well-deserved, and very rare from the WI, standing ovation.

Nazir Afzal, OBE

Melanie Brown, MBE being 'interviewed' by Victoria Derbyshire

Saturday, 1 June

Usk River Festival

It was a warm sunny day for the Usk River festival held on Saturday, 1 June. GFWI Public Affairs and Campaigns team did a fantastic job promoting the ongoing work to raise awareness of the poor health of our rivers. Members joined the procession around Usk and there was significant interest from members of the public in our campaigns stand.

Gwent Federation’s Public Affairs Team would like you to Share your Eco-Friendly cleaning tips.

Let’s try to stop the cocktail of chemicals and microplastics ending up in our rivers by ditching the harsh chemical for some natural alternatives, safer for the environment and can be cheaper too.

At the river festival we will be sharing green cleaning tips and we’d love one from every WI.

Here is one…

1 Clean your wooden chopping board after chopping garlic by sprinkling with salt, then rub it with a cut lemon and rinse, no more garlic smells.

Please send your tips to pa@gwentwi.org.uk

Here is a link https://www.savetheriverusk.org/usk-river-festival-june-2024.html . If that doesn’t work then it looks like the Gwent wildlife trust promotion could be reposted https://www.gwentwildlife.org/events/2024-06-01-river-usk-festival

Tuesday, 21 May The Grange, Usk

Skittles Evening

Here are some photos from last night’s Skittles evening at The Grange in Usk. The winning Team were 🎉🎉 Raglan WI, Joan Barrington, Val Heath, Janet Parry and Janet Griffin 🎉🎉 congratulations to you all 👏 A lovely atmosphere, everyone seemed to enjoy the evening including those of us assisting. A big thank you to everyone who joined us and those members who helped. Remember, it is not the winning which is important, but the taking part!

Friday, 17 May Usk Memorial Hall

Literary Lunch

Mary Clarke, Chair of Gwent Federation, Richard Cobourne and Mary Edmunds, Chair of Combined Arts Team

Gwent Federation of WIs Literary Lunch in the Memorial Hall in Usk. Richard Cobourne was the Speaker. Richard started his career working in the BBC in Cardiff. He told us many stories of the stars he met and worked with during his career. Some of whom he based his books around! Richard was signing his books and selling them buy one get one free….great value 👏👏

It was a lovely afternoon, delicious food, great company and a very interesting talk. The alcohol free Rose Sparking Wine was really tasty, an enjoyable, fizzy alternative.

Thank you to the Combined Arts Team for a wonderful afternoon. Especially, the ladies in the kitchen; Angela, Lynn and Penny you did a splendid job. A huge thank you to everyone who attended. These events take a lot of planning and hard work on the day, we really appreciate you supporting Gwent Federation events.

Saturday, 13 April

Gwent Federation Annual Council Meeting

Well ladies what can we say!!! We had a brilliant day on Saturday, 13 April at our Annual Council Meeting in Usk Memorial Hall. A big thank you to every one of you who came along and supported us. 😊 Particular thanks, too, to all of our fantastic guests and the 2 brilliant speakers for finding time to join us, at our very special meeting👏

Our first speaker at the ACM was Dr Lisa Snook, Gwent County Archivist.
Lisa is passionate about sharing her experience and knowledge of archives and archive research with others. Lisa’s special subject is women's history, particularly women in the south Wales coalfield. Lisa gave a very interesting and informative talk on her role and the work that goes on in Gwent Archives, Ebbw Vale. They hold archives relating to all aspects of life in Gwent, in their original format as well as copies on microfilm and online, and have excellent facilities to access them. Why don’t you organise a group visit to the Archives for your WI to find out more and combine it with a visit to Ebbw Vale Works Museum which is nearby, what a great day out that would make!

Our guest speaker in the afternoon was Milliner, Effie Williams. Effie started her business in September 2022 and is an award-winning couture milliner, creating beautiful yet fun and flirty hats and headpieces, all with a distinctive vintage inspired twist. Taking inspiration from the landscape of her native Herefordshire, along with her love of vintage fashions, Effie combines traditional craft skills with contemporary techniques to create pieces each as individual as the wearer.
Effie showed us some of the fabric she uses to make her headpieces and performed a demonstration on the making process and brought along some of her finest headpieces for us to see.

Thank you to all who came and gave up time to steward, Ally Heggie, Llanellen WI, and Elen Davis, Agincourt WI. Ladies in the kitchen in the Memorial Hall from Rogerstone Roses WI, Mary Park and Sonia Smith, Liz Hepburn, Llandenny & District WI and Jill Nicholson, Govilion WI. Ladies in the kitchen in the Centenary Hall (Scout Hut) members of GaP WI, Fiona Evans, Lisa Knowles and Ann Townsend. Margaret Parry, Llantilio Crossenny WI, our organist, Tellers from Glamorgan Federation, Claire Atherton and Carolyn Davies. A huge thank you to Harold Meese and Terry Davies. You all did a super job and we could not have coped without you, we are just extremely grateful to you all.

Mary Clarke, Chair of Gwent Federation

Dr Lisa Snook, Gwent County Archivist

Ellie Williams, award winning couture milliner

Thursday, 4 April 2024

NFWI Wales Conference 2024

Members of Gwent Federation of WIs went to the NFWI-Wales Conference on Thursday, 4 April in Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, Powys and thoroughly enjoyed the day. The NFWI speakers were Jill Rundle, NFWI-Wales Chair; Ann Jones, NFWI Chair; and Rhian Connick, Head of NFWI-Wales. Guest speakers Ffion Fielding, Project Manager of the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition Project and Bronwen Lewis singer-songwriter. Ffion spoke about the Wales Peace Petition signed by 320,000 women in Wales and taken to the USA in 1924. It is being transcribed so that you can see who in your family might have signed it. Fascinating - and there is a dedicated exhibition with all the associated peace activities at St Fagans - it is well worth a visit and of course it's free. Bronwen Lewis spoke openly about her ADHD diagnosis and the impact of ADHD on her daily life.

Great speakers and it kept fine!

GFWI Annual Quiz

Friday, 22 March

Congratulations to this year's winners of the Annual Quiz...Ponthir WI.

In joint second place were Beechwood and Wyesham WIs.
Some 21 teams took part and for the first time we introduced a multiple choice round. The winners will be invited to represent the Gwent Federation later in the year at the Wales Federations event.

Well done to everyone who took part.

GFWI RWS Competition Day and Welsh Afternoon Tea

Saturday, 9 March

Usk Memorial Hall

Congratulations to Govilon WI on winning the Coop competition and Kath Rees Llangwm & Llansoy WI for winning the floral art.

Friday, 8 March

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the social, economic and political achievements of women, reflect on progress and demand gender equality. For over a hundred years, International Women’s Day has put the spotlight onto issues affecting women all over the world. Today, International Women’s Day belongs to everyone who believes that women’s rights are human rights.

Friday, 2 February

Gwent Federation of WIs had a lovely afternoon in Usk? A most successful time was enjoyed by nine teams New Age Kurling. The semi finals were fought between Llantilio Pertholey, Usk B, Bryngwyn and Usk A. In the final, Usk A emerged the winners against Bryngwyn. Well done everyone!! Thanks to those who helped.

Angela Lloyd and Barbara Atton with the winners Usk B.

Friday, 12 and Saturday, 13 January

Calling all Presidents, Treasurers and Secretaries

Proposal to change Gwent Federation of WIs to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

left to right, Nicola Awni, Mary Clarke (Chair), Judith Meese, Lynn Davies

Presidents, Treasurers and Secretaries attending the CIO Meeting