On a warm summer evening in July 2017, around 40 women gathered at Clifton Village Hall and expressed an interest in forming a new WI group. Much of what I knew of the WI came from my frequent viewing of Calendar Girls (I suspect I was not the only one), but the diversity of the women there that evening suggested that my preconceptions might be a little wide of the mark. My recollection of the specifics of the evening is a little hazy now, but the sense of warmth, friendship, and a wealth of engaging personalities remains. Although I do remember there being lots of delicious cake. And that, thankfully, is still the case today.
Clifton Doves WI was officially launched in September 2017 and a typical meeting would be… No, there is no typical meeting with Clifton Doves. We’ve had everything from Tantalising Tea Tales to Tai Chi; Morris Dancing to Salsa Dancing; Street Pastors to Blood Bikers; and Bat Conservation to batty conversation. And cake – did I mention we like to eat cake?
As well as the monthly main meetings, held at 7.30pm on the second Monday of the month at Clifton Village Hall, Clifton Doves have a very active social calendar…monthly:, Café Social at Hope Café, Walking Group at local beauty spots; bi-monthly Doves and Larks book club with our friends at Larkhill, Craft Club at Holy Trinity, Knit and Natter at the Crusader; quarterly supper nights in the City centre; plus cinema social, salsa socials and any other event that a Dove wants to arrange. Basically, we ‘get out much’. Much to my disappointment, we are yet to make jam or sing Jerusalem, but there is still time for that.
As 2019 draws to a close, Clifton Doves WI is certainly not slowing down. You are welcome to join us at any of the following:
9th December 7.30pm – Scandi Gnomes and a Christmas Fuddle; £5 donation for materials for visitors; Clifton Village Hall
12th December 1pm- lunchtime social at Hope Café; free; all ladies welcome
19th December 7.30pm- Knit and Natter social at the Crusader; free; all ladies welcome
29th December 12noon- Social Walk- Wilford to Trent Bridge; free; bring the whole family
Finally, we are delighted to be joining the Clifton lights switch on (6th December from 3pm) with a stall at top shops, where the 2020 events programme for the Doves will be available. We will be showcasing some of the craft club masterpieces of the past year, selling books and, of course, cake!
Membership for the full year will be £43 which includes all main meetings, and eight copies of the WI life magazine delivered straight to your door. We absolutely love our current members but there is always room for more Doves. For more information visit our Facebook page- ‘Clifton Doves – The WI’ or email [email protected]