Visiting
Visiting is good way to get a feel for the WI and the Blue Belles, before you decide whether or not to join as a member. Take a look at our Current Programme to find out what we’re up to and when. We ask visitors for a £5 donation, which covers the evening’s speaker or activity as well as refreshments (there’s always plenty of tea and cake!!). The usual time and place for in-person meetings is:
St Barnabas Centre, Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD
Second Wednesday of the month, 19:30-21:30
Please note that our meetings are open to female visitors over 18 years old only. This includes everyone whose gender identity is female, regardless of sexual preference or orientation.
Have a look below at all the benefits of becoming a full member.
The Benefits of Membership
As well as being able to attend 11 main meetings a year (plus our summer social), members also have access to all of our subgroups as well as our busy members-only Facebook page. We currently run a book club, games night, theatre and activity clubs. Members also receive 8 copies of the WI magazine WI Life per year.
Joining
Please drop us an email at cambluebelles@gmail.com if you would like to join, writing “New member” in the subject line. We have a maximum limit on members because of the capacity of our meeting space, and when we reach capacity we operate a waiting list on a first come, first serve basis.
When we have spaces for new members, joining is very simple: all you need to do is fill in our membership form and pay the fee. There is no selection process; all applications are accepted as long as they come from women (cis or trans) over 18 years old.
We are part of the Cambridge Federation of Women’s Institutes. Details of all the WIs in and around Cambridge can be found on the Federation website. Blue Belles is one of several WIs that meet in the city, who jointly refer to themselves as the Cambridge WI Collective (CamCo). There is a CamCo Facebook page where members from all of the participating WIs share information, and we sometimes organise joint events.
The full year’s membership fee for 2023 is £46. However, new members joining later in the year pay a pro-rata fee as follows:
| Date of joining 2023/24 | Total subscription due 2023/24 |
|---|---|
| 1 April – 30 June | £46 |
| 1 July – 30 September | £34.50 |
| 1 October – 31 December | £23 |
| 1 January – 31 March 2024 | £11.50 |
Bank transfer is preferred, however we can accept payment by cheque, or cash at a meeting.
Cambridge Blue Belles WI 