About Lewtrenchard WI

Lewtrenchard WI was formed in 1927 with 26 members, and our current membership is 28. We meet at Lewdown Victory Hall on the second Monday of the month where we have a wide variety of interesting speakers and craft tutors. We also have an annual day trip and, being Devon, a Cream Tea where we raise money for charity. Being in rural West Devon, country matters are high in our list of interests together with community wellbeing. We have a walking group who meet on the fourth Monday of the month and they are currently walking the Two Castle Trail in easy stages. We also have a coffee morning on the third Thursday of the month, when we meet at Roadford Lake café, and some also enjoy a short walk there too. There is also the opportunity to join in visits, activities and holidays arranged by Devon Federation of WI.

We are a friendly and welcoming group with a wide variety of interests. Newcomers to the area find it a very good introduction to the community. You are very welcome to come along and see what you think of us.

Reading from the Lewtrenchard WI first Minutes Book:

'A meeting was held at the Theatre, Lew Trenchard on 20th October 1927, organised by Mrs Yale of Kelly. 23 attended. It was decided to start a Women's Institute at Lew Trenchard on 1st November. The monthly meeting was fixed for the first Tuesday in each month.'

'At the first meeting held on 1st November 1927, 26 ladies were made members and paid their 2/- subscriptions.'

1st President
Mrs Marion Baring-Gould

By the time Lewtrenchard WI was registered on 6th December 1927 the membership included District Nurse, Miss Bulled. Her daughter in law, Mrs Monica Horn, was our longest standing member until December 2021 when she sadly passed away, but Monica's daughter Kathryn joined our WI in 2022 despite living in Australia, making this rural WI truly international. Dr Merriol Baring-Gould Almond, granddaughter of the first President, Mrs Marion Baring-Gould, still makes time to attend meetings when she is back from her home in America overseeing the Lewtrenchard Estate.

The meetings contents, dates and venues have changed over the years, but Lewtrenchard WI continues to flourish - taking its part in community, County and National Federation events - competitions, walks and skittles regurlary take place. It continues to maintain the ethos of the movement of education with friendship. We now meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at Lewdown Victory Hall. Any new members are always made very welcome.

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