November 2026 subgroups

Walking Group

On a lovely November Autumn Day our walkers really enjoyed a walk around Marbury Park where we enjoyed beautiful Autumn colours and interesting fungi. Lovely bird life on the lake, a group of cygnets came across to see us, with lots of coots and mallards around too. After our 3 mile walk 3 other ladies joined us for lunch at the Spinner and Bergamot.

Book Club

Imagine knocking on a door which is opened by somebody who looks exactly like you! That’s what Ruth does and Debbie turn out to be her identical twin. The book untangles the story about how they came to grow up separately. Mixed views fro our group. Some loved it, others found the plot moved very slowly and gave up. Those who loved it said they should have persevered!

November 2026 Main Meeting

Our November meeting was a busy one. We had a very timely theme for our speaker. Janet Littler, talked to us about the work of SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association). This charitable organisation was founded in 1885 by Major James Gildea. Janet explained the many hardships that military employees and their families can face and the varied support that is given to ithem during and following their active service across the world.

A new charity to many of us, with impressively low overheads. WI made a donation and many members made personal donations. The competition for an armed service item was won by Irene Robinson with an interesting entry, including medals and other items.

This was followed by our Annual meeting – Pat shared our financial report, Chris presented a reminder of WI activities during 2026 and Jean presented her Presidents report and there were many thanks expressed – to the committee, subgroup leads, Melanie for the monthly newsletter and our members. Jean was re-elected as President for 2027.

Whitley WI Remembrance Poppy 2026




On a mild November morning the faithful few put our remembrance poppy in place on Raddel Lane to remember with love and pride those that have lost their lives in past and present conflicts and to all those that still suffer.

October 2026 subgroups

Craft Group – Pumpkin Carving

A very happy, fun afternoon was held carving pumpkins after a lunch of pumpkin soup with the waste. Everyone had their own idea of what was scary but once they had the night lights in it was obvious why some could send shivers down the spine.

We had a few ladies turning up for what was a social afternoon, just knitting and nattering for company. Why not join us next month to make Christmas table decorations of woolly gnomes or just come for a cuppa and cake and good company.

Walking Group – Frodsham Woodlands

Just a few of us embarked on the walk in the Frodsham Woodlands, previously Frodsham golf club. In the winter of 2023/2024 the Woodland Trust began planting 30,000 young trees on the 95 acre site to create a haven for wildlife and for the local community to enjoy. A network of paths around the woodlands was created with wonderful views to the Welsh borders, the western Pennines and the Bowland Fells as well as the Liverpool and Mersey estuary.

We had a lovely morning and the weather was wonderful, plenty of paths to explore between the mature trees and meadowlands.
We had lunch at The Ring of Bells, Frodsham, all very enjoyable

Book Club – Gone by Ruby Speechley


A teenager goes missing and his separated parents work together trying to find him. He had gone to a party, against their instructions. He and a group of his friends were all missing. The parents all receive ransom demands, the children seem to have been taken abroad, and a link between their families emerges.
Our group had mixed views on the book, members gave scores from 4 to 8 out of 10.

Village Group Autumn meeting

The Autumn meeting for the Village Group of WIs was held at Whitley Village Hall, and we welcomed members from the 6 local WIs within this group.

An unusual account of the courage of Peggy Knight during WWII – told by Lesley Smith who took on the role of Peggy – appropriately dressed for the period in a green serge suit. You almost believed it was Peggy herself telling your her story – though she didn’t look old enough to have been active in 1940s! Peggy was brought up to speak fluent French in her home and this proved invaluable when she was recruited by the Special Operations Unit to be parachuted into occupied France to join the resistance network.

She carried dangerous operations there, and demonstrated extraordinary courage. Her work was recognised by 3 different nations.

Thanks to Melanie and her team for a really enjoyable and informative evening – a privilege to hear this brave woman’s story.