About us

Newtown (Tewkesbury) Women's Institute -  we amalgamated with Mitton WI in 2026.

Newtown WI is thriving, with over 40 members and a lively programme of regular monthly meetings, days out, and several groups which in 2026 are  Book Club;  Knit & Natter;  Crafts;  a Coffee Meet  [am or pm, in a local mediæval hostelry],  and an occasional Join Me invitation to an event.

Monthly meetings generally have a speaker presentation  [which are pre-assessed by one of the Committee for speaking quality] ;  a competition to bring in the most unusual item on a particular theme  [lots of ingenuity over a broad spectrum from our Newtown ladies] ;  a good natter over tea and biscuits ;   a Newtown WI raffle ;  a toiletries donation from members for the local hospital ;  a display from our Craft groups ; and  a good catch-up on what is happening in WI world, in Gloucestershire and nationally.

In 2026, we are getting regular updates on the progress of the calico dresses - which  WI members know about - being created to highlight our NFWI campaign   "No more violence against women and  girls".

Each year, we have a sunny Summer Picnic ;  a sunny Summer Outing with a good lunch ;  a Christmas Carols Concert, which is arranged by a WI ;  an occasional locally based quiz/treasure trail ;  and a Christmas or New Year festive meal, at a nearby  recommended restaurant  [recommended by one of us, not by a fancy directory like Michelin ...].

We vary our Summer outings quite a lot.  
In 2024, we had a cheery heritage-train ride and lunch at one of the refurbished station cafes.  
2025 took us to Stanway House and its unique, huge, gravity-fed fountain.   
2026 was a poke around Pershore and a Thai Legend lunch, which was so good some of the ladies chose to return there within a month for birthday celebrations.

Our Book Club is also unique, we think.  We each read a book [or two] which has a vague link to a theme [children, crime, island, whatever ...] - but it is our own choice which book we read,  and we summarise,  say how and why we liked it,  and pass it on to any Book Club members who are hooked by our description.  So, no-one has to buy/borrow/read a book that holds no interest for them.  Different, what?

We meet at the Wheatpieces Community Centre,  usually,  in the afternoon of the second Wednesday of the month.

If you wish to come and join us, please use this link for the local Gloucestershire Federation of WI -