Arkendale WI was formed on 15th October 1929. We meet on the first Wednesday in the month at the Arkendale Community Hall. Our WI is a member of the Boroughbridge Group and the North Yorkshire West Federation of Women's Institutes.
Arkendale WI presently has 20 members. Our members take part in a wide ranging field of activities, walking, swimming, pilates, yoga and zumba to name a few. Most of our members live within Arkendale and surrounding villages.
Arkendale WI is famous for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere and especially make new members welcome. We involve all members in the choice of subjects to be covered at our monthly meetings, thus ensuring that there is something of interest for everyone.
Recently we have had speakers on 'The Oldest Sweet Shop in the World', 'Travelling Through South Africa', 'Safety in the Home' and 'Birds in your Garden'. A dozen or so members meet every four or five weeks for lunch and several members get together for beading.
We also join in WI Federation activities organised by Alma House (Federation office in Ripon). We help at the WI catering pavilion at the Yorkshire Show and we always field a team at the annual quiz that we sometimes host in Arkendale.
At every meeting our ladies provide a light supper and tea acting as hostesses once a year by rota.
Why Not Sample One Of Our Meetings?
If you would like to come to a meeting you would be most welcome and under no obligation to come again (although most of our guests do!).
Please contact the secretary, Margaret Beal - tel: 01423 340628.
All meetings are held at Arkendale Community Hall, Moor Lane, Arkendale, HG5 0RF (disabled access available).
Click here for further details of the local Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes
Past presidents of Arkendale Women's Institute
Mrs Knight | 1929-1936 |
Mrs Jameson | 1936-1938 |
Mrs Surr | 1938-1939 |
Mrs Atkinson | 1939-1951 |
Mrs Chater | 1951-1953 |
Mrs Worsley | 1953-1960 |
Mrs Jerrams | 1960-? |
Mrs Stephenson | ? - 1966 |
Mrs Pickles | 1966-1968 |
Mrs Stephenson | 1968-1971 |
Mrs Gill | 1971-1973 |
Mrs Houseman | 1973-1976 |
Mrs Horne | 1976-1978 |
Mrs Houseman | 1978-1980 |
Mrs Pickles | 1980-1986 |
Mrs Horne | 1986-1987 |
Mrs Houseman | 1987-1988 |
Mrs Pickles | 1988-1990 |
Mrs Brown | 1990-1993 |
Mrs Houseman | 1993-1994 |
Mrs Hall | 1994-1997 |
Mrs Leaver | 1997-2000 |
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President: Diane Horne - 01423 340440
Vice-President: Betty Morland - 01423 340286
Secretary: Margaret Beal - 01423 340628
Treasurer: Janet Grimes - 01423 340846