Events
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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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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Introduction to Shetland Lace
A Morning Talk
CFWI Office
Wednesday 3 September 2025, 10.30am
Shetland Lace knitting is a heritage craft which is still in the endangered list of the UK Heritage Craft Association' s Red List. Elizabeth Williamson will give a talk on the history of Shetland Lace Knitting, its importance in our heritage and what is happening now to preserve it.
Born and bred in Shetland, Elizabeth's mother Betsy still lives and knits there although Elizabeth herself has settled in Suffolk.
Elizabeth designs and knits her own lace and is renowned for her teaching and passing on of this heritage craft.
Tea and Coffee provided
Cost: WI Members £12.00 Non WI £15.00
Booking starts: 7 July 2025
Booking closes: 11 August 2025
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Shetland Lace Afternoon Workshop
CFWI Office
Wednesday 3 September 2025, 1pm
Elizabeth Williamson, a well known Shetland Lace knitting designer and born and bred in Shetland will help us to learn the basics of Shetland lace, including reading a chart and the best yarns etc to use. We will come away with a swatch of Shetland Lace knitting and a zest to do more!
This workshop is for competent basic knitters who can do basic stitches. Please bring with you some lace weight yarn and size 4mm needles of your choice. Light coloured yarn is easier for beginners of lace so you can see the stitches more easily.
Tea and Coffee provided.
If you have booked the morning talk, please bring a packed lunch.
Cost: WI Members £22.00 (Members only)
Booking starts: 7 July 2025
Booking closes: 11 August 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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CELEBRATE OUR 110TH BIRTHDAY AT AUDLEY END
September 16th is WI Day – and WI members from Cambridge, Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk West are invited to celebrate together at the English Heritage property at Audley End, Saffron Walden,
Essex CB11 4JF
The day includes free admission to the House and Gardens. Members can opt to bring picnics or buy food available to purchase on site.
This event was suggested by Judith who is President of Radwinter WI in Saffron Walden and who, along with other local WIs in the area (including The Chesterfords WI in Cambridge), contacted English Heritage to discuss the idea. English Heritage has embraced it and offered each of the four Federations involved 125 free tickets.
As well as food outlets, there is a shop which includes gifts, books and plant sales. There is also a range of discount clothing on sale- which are new – but have been rescued from landfill.
The free tickets for WI members are available to book on TicketSource.
If you are an English Heritage Member you will already have “free” access to Audley End. Please can you register your interest in coming along on the day by sending an email with your name and WI to cfwievents@gmail.com rather than booking via TicketSource. This is so Audley End knows roughly how many people to expect on the day and can plan to have sufficient facilities available.
Please take your proof of booking (email from TicketSource on your phone or a paper copy) or EH membership card on the day.Updates from EH about the event will be circulated via your WI Secretary – as they become available.
Free event
Booking starts: Monday 7 July 2025
Booking ends: Monday 1 September 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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Cheese Talk and Tasting
With
The Cheese and Bees Company
CFWI Office
Monday 22 September, 7pm
Hosted by Peter, a professional cheesemonger. We would like to invite you to a Cheese Talk and Tasting. An opportunity to discover the world of Cheese!
The evening will include a variety of cheese to try, from his selection of fine cheeses, from the UK and favourites from around the world. Peter will provide the perfect backdrop for engaging conversations.
You will receive a glass of wine or soft drink on arrival.
Cost: WI Member £16.00 Non WI £18.00
Booking starts: Monday 7 July 2025
Booking closes: Thursday 11 September 2025
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Visit to Westminster College
Cambridge
Tuesday 23 September 2025, 10.30am start
Westminster College is a theological college with an incredible history, and we are delighted to be offering the opportunity to have a tour around it.
We will meet at 10.30 am by the gates to the College and we will be taken through the entrance hall and then on to view the dining hall, assembly room, Gibson room, library and chapel. Our private guide will talk about the history of the College including the sisters Agnes Smith Lewis and Margaret Dunlop Gibson both of whom played a crucial role in the Colleges establishment. We will also get an opportunity to see many of their personal items.
At the end of the tour there will be tea and cake in the dining hall (or in the gardens if the weathers kind!) where we will be joined by our guide who will happily answer questions.
This should be a fascinating tour of one of the City’s beautiful colleges.
Cost: £16.00 (Members only)
Booking starts: Monday 7 July 2025
Booking closes: Monday 1 September 2025
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Pure Clean Water – a Film not to be Missed!
Monday 29 September 2025, 7pm
CFWI Office
Pure Clean Water isa beautifully shot film made by local activist filmmaker Tony Eva. The film highlights the chalk streams crisis in Greater Cambridge (as exemplified by Hobson’s Conduit) which has occurred due to the explosive growth of our city. The film has received great reviews and should be seen by anyone concerned about our environment – Will the future of Cambridge be more growth or more environment?
The WI nationally is concerned about water and rivers and CFWI has actively supported this with our visits and walks. This film is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our rivers and the problems facing them.
We are delighted that Elizabeth May is joining us for the evening to introduce the film and answer any questions you may have after. Elizabeth is passionate about water issues in the Cambridgeshire area and has lectured widely on freshwater conservation at undergraduate level. She also led the much enjoyed Chesterton Walk along Cambridge riverbanks.
Cost: WI Member £7.00 Non WI £9.00
Booking starts: Monday 7 July 2025
Booking closes: Monday 15 September 2025
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The Knitting & Stitching Show
Thursday 9 October 2025
Alexandra Palace, London
Shop, Learn & Be Inspired at London’s Top Craft Fair
Come to the Knitting & Stitching Show for a fabulous day out and indulge in your favourite hobbies, learn new skills and shop for your annual craft supplies, buy fabric, yarns, tools, beads and much more from household name brands and special suppliers - all under one roof.
The show brings together hundreds of workshops, demonstrations, interactive features, professionally curated textile art galleries as well as over 200 of the leading specialist craft suppliers.
Coach leaves show at 4pm
Coach Pick up points: Lode Coach Depot 7.45am and Trumpington Park & Ride 8.30pm
WI Members £50.00 Non WI £53.00
Booking starts: 7 July 2025
Booking closes: 18 September 2025
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Molten Wonky Glass Fusion Workshop
CFWI Office
Saturday 11 October, 10am to 12.30pm
Katie Lynn is the founder of Molten Wonky. She has transformed her love of glass into an original and colourful business, selling handmade fused glass gifts and decorations at venues such as Anglesey Abbey. She revels in sharing this passion and encouraging others to have a go.
Katie will regale us with a brief life blog, which is truly entertaining, culminating in the birth of Molten Wonky. After a brief introduction to the intricacies and complexities of glass fusion you will be given all the materials, tools and ‘skills’ to make your own unique piece of art. You can choose to make either a large picture, coaster, bauble or Christmas tree. Please select your preferred option on the booking form. You might even be tempted to make a second piece as an early Christmas present, at an extra cost of £15 on the day. Whatever you decide to do you can be assured that you will have fun!!
Katie will take all the unfired work back to her studio to fire in her kiln, which will then be returned to the CFWI office for collection.
Tea and Coffee provided.
Cost: WI Members £35.00
Booking starts: 7 July 2025
Booking closes: 22 September 2025
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Autumn Literary Lunch with
Local Author Phil Oddy
Wednesday 15 October 2025, 12.15pm for 12.30pm start
CFWI Office
Phil is a writer from North Hertfordshire, juggling work, family, and internet distractions. Phil Oddy writes stories about how to cope in a confusing world, cleverly disguised as sci-fi/fantasy adventures. He is happily married with two sons and has promised everyone lavish gifts if he ever writes a bestseller, so if you've bought one of his books then they all thank you. Despite a long and successful career as an IT analyst in both the public and private sectors, writing is something he seems to be unable to prevent himself doing, which means that by encouraging him, you're either feeding an addiction or providing therapy. You can pick which. When his fingers are too tired to carry on typing, Phil likes to relax by reading something by David Mitchell.
Come and join us for a wonderful homemade meal and good company at our Autumn Lunch
Main Course
Somerset Chicken – Chicken Breast cooked with Apples, Mushrooms in a Cider and Cream Sauce
Jacket Potatoes and Greens
Or
Butternut Squash with Mushrooms, Butter Beans, Apples, Cider and Cream Sauce
Jacket Potatoes and Greens
Pudding
Blackberry and Apple Cake with Cream
TEA AND COFFEE WILL BE SERVED AT THE END OF THE MEAL
Raffle
Cost: £20.00 WI Members £23.00 Non WI Members
Booking starts: Monday 7 July 2025
Booking closes: Thursday 25 September 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.