Events
The 8 Most Wasted Foods & What We Can Do With Them Instead
An Afternoon Talk with Tasting
At CFWI Office
Friday 13 June 2025, 2pm – 4pm
Come and join us for an interesting talk on what we can do to prevent food waste, save the planet and our pocket!
The talk will include lots of hints, tips and ideas with some examples of recipes to taste!
There will also be an opportunity for you to share your ideas to prevent food waste.
Tea and Coffee included
Cost: Members: £8.00 Non WI: £10.00
Booking closes: Thursday 29 May 2025
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Agatha Christie
The Mirror Crack'd
Tolethorpe Open Air Theatre, Near Stamford
Saturday 14 June 2025
Following a successful trip to Tolethorpe last year, we will be offering another chance to visit and enjoy a slightly different play this time. This year, it is the chance to see a fresh and witty adaptation of the Queen of Crime’s famous novel. It brings real emotional depth and psychological insight to a thrilling story of revenge and dark secrets. A real whodunnit!
Hollywood descends on the sleepy village of St Mary Mead when a glamorous American film star buys Gossington Hall. However, the real drama unfolds off-screen, when an unexpected and ruthless murder is committed during a party filled with suspects. It’s up to Miss Jane Marple to unravel a web of lies, tragedy and danger.
As with last year, we are aiming to arrive in the grounds of Tolethorpe Hall at approximately
12 noon for your homemade picnics (weather permitting). Hopefully we won’t have to eat our sandwiches on the coach!
We will leave for home once the performance has finished. At the moment, exact timings for the show are not known.
Coach pick up points: Lode Depot 10am Trumpington Park & Ride 10.30am
Cost: £52.00 Members £55.00 Non-Members
Closed
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A Morning With Kay Goddard
CFWI Office
Wednesday 18 June 2025
10.30am
The Underground Railroad "Patterned Path to Freedom"
Steeped in myth and legend, these quilts and block patterns helped guide fleeing slaves to Canada. Brave, indomitable souls risking life and limb in their quest for freedom.
Come and listen to this amazing story!
Tea and Coffee Included
Cost: Members: £12.00 Non WI Members: £15.00
Booking closes: Monday 26 May 2025
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Coffee Morning with Bingo
CFWI Office
Monday 23 June 2025
10.30am
A fun morning not to be missed
Tea, Coffee and Cake included
Cost: Members: £7.00 Non WI Members: £9.00
Booking closes: Monday 9 June 2025
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Machine Patchwork for Beginners
Log Cabin Cushion Day School
CFWI Office
Monday 30 June 2025, 10am to 4pm
and Tuesday 1 July 2025, 10am to 1pm
We are running a machine patchwork day school specifically for beginners and those with a little knowledge, making a cushion from a log cabin design which will give a good introduction into the world of patchwork
A sewing machine in good working order, thread and material will be required all other equipment will be provided.
This is aimed at total Beginners to introduce you into the joys of patchwork
so do come along and join us
Members £60.00
Tea and Coffee will be provided but please bring a packed lunch
Booking closes: Monday 9 June 2025
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A Day at the Races
Cottenham Village Hall
Saturday 5 July 2025, 2pm – 5pm
Come and join us for a CFWI “Race Day”
We will be watching 8 races on the big screen, from the comfort of Cottenham Village Hall. Tickets will include a light afternoon tea (sandwiches, scone and cake) and a glass of bubbly or non-alcoholic drink upon arrival.
There will be a tote on the day to bet on the races, so please bring along lots of loose change
if you want to have a “flutter”.
There will be 6 horses running in each race – and you have the opportunity to purchase and name a horse for just £2.00. The owner of the first horse across the line will win £5.00. You can buy and name your first horse with your booking. Additional horses may be available to buy on the day.
Bring along friends and family to enjoy this fun event and take the opportunity to dress up in your finery so we can all pretend we are at Ascot.
Cost: Members £20.00 or £22.00 for event and horse
Non WI £22.00 or £24.00 for event and horse
Booking closes: Thursday 19 June 2025
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Lavender Afternoon Tea
CFWI Office
Wednesday 16 July 2025, 2.30pm
Come and join us for a traditional afternoon tea with a difference, the difference is a hint of lavender!
Come and join us for a traditional afternoon tea with a difference, the difference is a hint of lavender!
Cost: Members £18.00 Non WI £20.00
Booking starts: Tuesday 6 May 2025
Booking Closes: 25 June 2025
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SPEAKERS SHOWCASE
Saturday 19 July 2025
9.45am for a prompt start at 10am Oakington Pavilion, CB24 3AW
We are holding another Speakers Showcase and would like to invite WI’s to send one or two of their members to come along and listen to the presentations, after which they will be given the opportunity to vote on which speakers they consider suitable for inclusion on our speakers list. Prospective speakers will each be given a fifteen to twenty minute slot with a few minutes to set up, so that we can hear as many as possible during the day.
Please bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided
Cost: £8.00 per person
Booking Starts: Tuesday 6 May 2025
Booking Closes: Tuesday 1 July 2025
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Outing to Elton Hall
Tuesday 29 July 2025
This extraordinary, romantic, part Gothic house has been home to the Proby family since 1660.
Elton Hall is a fascinating mixture of styles, reflecting the taste and interests of succeeding generations. Every room contains treasures – magnificent furniture and fine paintings, from early 15th century Old Masters to the remarkable 19th century work of Alma Tadema and Millais. In addition, there is a wonderful collection of porcelain and books. The library, one of the largest in private ownership, possesses such treasures as Henry VIII’s prayer book.
The beautiful garden has been restored over the last forty years and has now come into its own, resulting in the award of the Historic Houses Judges’ Choice Garden of the Year in 2021. Mature hedging, topiary, glorious herbaceous borders, a sunken lily pond and an orangery garden delight visitors throughout the summer.
We will have tea or coffee and biscuits on arrival followed by a private guided tour of the beautiful house, lasting approximately one hour after which you may enjoy the gardens at your leisure.
Lunch at the Mulberry Café is at your own expense.
The Café offers soup, sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes and of course cake.
Please note there is no picnicking at the Mulberry Café or Elton Hall.
We will leave Elton Hall about 3.30pm.
Cost: WI Members £50.00 Non WI £53.00
Booking starts: Tuesday 6 May 2025
Booking Closes: 1 July 2025
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Foundation Paper Piecing Workshop
“Storm at Sea” Design
Tutor Marion Curtis
CFWI Office
Thursday 14 August 2025, 10am to 4pm
Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) is a technique using a sewing machine that lets you create intricate designs with ease and precision by sewing small scraps of fabric to a paper template, resulting in clever patchwork effects. Whether you’re brand new to FPP or a seasoned quilter it’s a fun and satisfying way to bring new creativity to your sewing
Tea and Coffee provided, please bring a packed lunch.
Cost: WI Members £40.00
Booking starts: 2 June 2025
Booking closes: 24 July 2025
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A Day Trip by coach to Southwold and the Suffolk Summer Theatre
Saturday 16 August 2025
The Combined Events Committee will once again be arranging this popular trip to Southwold by coach along with a matinee performance at The Southwold Theatre.
We arrive at the picturesque town of Southwold around 11.30 am allowing time for lunch and a walk around the town and promenade before seeing a matinee performance of “Gaslight” at the quaint Southwold Theatre.
Murder, Mystery and Manipulation in the original Psychological Thriller.
The coach will depart from Lode (Alisons of Cambridge) at 8.10am and Trumpington Park and Ride at 8.45am.
We will leave Southwold directly following the matinee performance.
The cost of this trip will be members £60.00 and non members £63.00
Booking starts: Monday 2 June 2025
Booking Closes: Thursday 3 July 2025
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We look forward to you joining us for a
Spanish Feast
CFWI Office
Friday 5 September 2025, 7pm
Menu
Selection of Tapas and Sangria
Main courses
Meat or Vegetarian Paella (small portion)
and
Chicken thighs with Spinach, raisins and pine nuts or Spanish Bean Stew
Dessert with a Glass of Sherry
Watermelon slices and
Crema Catalan – (Spanish Caramel Flan)
Please bring your own drinks of choice.
Cost £25.00 members £28.00 non- members
Booking starts: Monday 2 June 2025
Booking closes: Thursday 14 August 2025
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Quiz Night 2025
Cottenham Village Hall
Friday 12 September 2025
7.30pm – 10pm
Come and join the fun
Please bring your own picnic and drinks as no refreshments will be available.
Due to the size of the venue this event is restricted to 27 teams so we may not be able to accommodate more than 1 team from each WI. If your WI would like a second (or third) team, please email the office and spaces will be allocated after the closing date.
Cost: £24 per team of 4 people
Members only
Booking starts: Monday 2 June 2025
Booking Closes: Thursday 14 August 2025
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Cartier Exhibition at the V&A
Wednesday 17 September 2025
‘A spellbinding, once-in-a-lifetime display of old-world glamour’
as reviewed in The Telegraph
We have managed to secure a limited number of tickets to this major exhibition featuring more than 350 objects, including precious jewels, historic gemstones, iconic watches and clocks, that chart the evolution of Cartier’s legacy of art, design and pioneering craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century. You can feast your eyes on: ‘The Mountbatten Bandeau’ made in 1928 for Lady Mountbatten and the ‘Rose’ clip brooch made in 1938 and owned by Princess Margaret; just two of the pieces showcasing Cartier’s distinctive excellence and elegance. An opportunity not to be missed.
The coach will leave Lode at 08:00 and Trumpington Park & Ride at 08:45. We should arrive in plenty of time for our first entry into the exhibition, which will be in groups of 12 at half hourly intervals throughout the morning for non V&A members, starting at 11:30.
If you are a member of the V&A you can visit the exhibition at will and you will pay for the coach only. If you are not a member of the V&A your cost will be for the coach and entry ticket. The trip will be open to non WI members. Please make sure that you opt for the ticket that is applicable to you:
WI & V&A member: £38.00
Non WI member but V&A member: £41.00
WI member: £63.00
Non WI member: £66.00
We will aim to leave by 4.30pm
Contact details for the day will be available before the outing.
Booking starts: Monday 2 June 2025
Booking Closes: Monday 18 August 2025
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Christmas Spectacular
Thursday 4 December 2025
Matinee Performance
A festive feast for all the senses!
!
We have a limited number of tickets available to attend the
Thursford Christmas Spectacular which is an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It’s a fast moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year round favourites. With a cast of 130 this is the biggest Christmas show of its kind in Europe.
It is the Winner of the Group Leisure and Travel Awards 2024 Best Christmas Experience
The coach will leave Lode Depot at 9.00am and Trumpington Park & Ride at 9.45am.
We should arrive with plenty of time for a spot of lunch/shopping before the show starts at 2pm.
Our tickets are located in the centre section in rows P-Q.
We will depart for home following the end of the show but no definite time is available at present.
The cost for the coach and this wonderful musical extravaganza
will be £82.00 for members and £85.00 for non-members.
Booking closes: Monday 15 September 2025
Booking opens: Tuesday 6 May 2025
T&C’s
Please note that participants will not be required to show a ticket at the event. No refunds will be given after the closing date, but if you are unable to attend we may have a waiting list.
In the event of a refund - this will not include the booking fee of 6.5% plus VAT.