Can I visit a meeting before joining?
Yes. If you would like to visit a meeting, please contact us via cambluebelles@gmail.com with ‘Visitor’ in the subject line.
We meet on the second Wednesday of every month at the St Barnabas Centre on Mill Road, from 19:30 to 21:30. We ask visitors for a donation of £5, which helps us cover the cost of the speaker or activity, and gives you an evening out with (plentiful) tea and cake!
What happens at your meetings?
We normally either have a speaker (e.g. about photography, history of female tattoo artists, chemical components of plants) or an activity (e.g. belly dancing, flower crowns, drumming), as well as some social time with tea and cake. We also update members on news from within our group, as well as from the wider WI.
What are your members like?
We’re a friendly bunch! We have members of all ages from different backgrounds, and welcome anyone who self-identifies as female, regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief.
Do I have to be crafty / know how to [knit / sew / crochet / bake] to join?
Not at all! Some of our members enjoy crafting and making, some don’t, and lots of our members are creative in many different ways, but it is not a requirement.
Can I bring a family member to a meeting?
Mums, grannies, aunts, sisters, cousins etc. Everyone’s welcome as long as they are over 18 and self-identify as female. Babies in arms can come depending on the meeting, please reach out to the committee in advance to confirm whether this will be possible.
Can men join / visit? No, the WI is only for women. Anyone self-identifying as female is very welcome to attend our monthly meetings and join as a member.
How can I become a speaker?
If you would like be a speaker or have an idea for a meeting, please email the committee with your suggestions.
Is the WI or are the Blue Belles political?
The WI as well as the Blue Belles are non-party political. However, the WI is sometimes involved in political campaigns.
Is the WI or are the Blue Belles religious?
It’s a non-religious organisation. People of all faiths are welcome.
What level of commitment and involvement to do you expect from members? Your membership entitles you to attend 11 meetings and we encourage everyone to take full advantage of this benefit. Members are also entitled to attend any or all of the sub groups that we run, if they would like to. We ask members to help out at various points throughout the year by either bringing cakes or other treats to meetings, as well as helping to set up and clear away. Everyone tends to muck in and do their bit. We have a committee that shares the main body of work, but all Belles are encouraged to help where possible, and to join committee at some point.
Besides the monthly meetings, what else do you do?
A whole host of things! We do book club, games nights, theatre trips and activity club, as well as meet ups for new mums. There is also a social in the summer instead of a regular meeting.
If there’s anything we haven’t covered, just reach out to us at cambluebelles@gmail.com; we’d love to hear from you.
Cambridge Blue Belles WI 