Gamblesby WI

 

Where we meet:

Ten miles east of Penrith, after the A686 has taken you over the majestic River Eden at Langwathby and shown you the breath-taking sight of the fells above Melmerby, but before you climb the road to Hartside, you will see the signpost for the small village of Gamblesby nestling in the beautiful Eden Valley. A traditionally laid out village, Gamblesby has a significant village green outside the Methodist Chapel, a church which is currently being converted into a house, and the renovation being televised, and a recently restored community centre which used to be the village school.


 

When we meet:

Since 1949, at 7.30pm on every third Thursday in the month the ladies of Gamblesby have been joined by ladies from Glassonby, Renwick, Parkhead and surrounding areas to gather at the community centre for the monthly Women’s Institute meeting. This is an event not to be missed. News is swopped, health issues discussed, jokes laughed over. Sometimes it is the only time in the month when two ladies have seen each other; there is always lots of catching up, new babies to be announced and sad losses to be shared. Newcomers to the area find a ready welcome; no one is left standing at the door, every attempt is made to make people feel at home.

About Us:

After a short business meeting which informs the members of what is going on locally and county wide in the WI world, it is usual to welcome a speaker. Topics vary from a talk on Hadrian’s Wall to a fashion show of Victorian clothes or exotic pets brought from Wetheriggs Animal Sanctuary. With the talk over, the ladies enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. On some occasions such as an Open Meeting when non- members of both sexes are invited to the meeting, the ladies will bring a shared supper. These usually turn out to be a veritable feast as not for nothing have WI ladies traditionally been known for their culinary skills!

Every year the membership decide which local and national charity they will raise funds for and which challenges they will undertake. Recent years saw a Gamblesby WI group walking the Midnight Walk for Breast Cancer Research, climbing the Via Ferrata over the Honister slate mines and rowing a Dragon Boat across Derwentwater. The wide age range of the membership from thirty-eight to eighty-two results in a wide variety of activities being appealing to this very active group of ladies whether it is a long bike ride, a sedate walk around Talkin Tarn or playing darts in the WI League.

Companionability, sociability and a love of their environment and all it offers are just some of the things the ladies of Gamblesby WI have in common—and long may it continue.

Our Fantastic 2012 Programme