Federation Events
The Events Team are planning a number of events for 2025 - see Diary page
Speaker's Interviewing Day
Wednesday 2nd April 2025 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Brighton Road Baptist Church, Horsham
Ashurst Village Hall, The Street, Ashurst, Steyning BN44 3AP
Drinks and light refreshments offered by Ashurst WI
Please bring a packed lunch
Hall open from 9.30am
Coffee on arrival Raffle Meeting starts 10am
There will be up to four speaker auditions from 10.15am to 12.30pm & further auditions from 1pm to 4pm, in 20-minute slots, plus 5 mins Q&A, with a few minutes’ changeover.
Members will have the chance to ask questions and vote for those speakers they would like to see included on the updated 2025 Speakers List
.
Tickets: £5.00 Email tickets@wsfwi.co.uk
Paper Flower Workshop - Daffodils
Friday 11th April 2025 10.00 am - 12.00pm & 1.00 pm - 3.00pm
Denman House
Tickets: £20.00 Email tickets@wsfwi.co.uk
A Day Out in Midhurst
Tuesday 20th May 2025 10.00am
Cowdray Park Heritage Trust Centre
Explore Midhurst’s rich Tudor history with exclusive Outdoor Talks & Walks!
On Tuesday 20th May 2025, join a guided stroll through the Cowdray ruins & St. Anne’s Hill, led by a Cowdray Heritage expert. Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and learn fascinating stories. Optional afternoons walk to the South Downs national park visitors Centre & Cowdray park farm Shop!
Limited tickets £20 per person, Email tickets@wsfwi.co.uk to book your spot.
NFWI Annual Meeting Watch Party
Wednesday 4th June 2025 10.00am
Denman House, 60 Queen Street, Horsham, RH13 5AD
Limited tickets £3 per person, Email tickets@wsfwi.co.uk to book your spot.
Paper Flower Workshop - Peonies
Friday 6th June 2025 10.00 am - 12.00pm & 1.00 pm - 3.00pm
Denman House
Tickets: £20.00 Email tickets@wsfwi.co.uk
Behind the Scenes at Knepp with the Storks
Thursday 3rd July 2025 10.00am
Safari/Campsite carpark:
New Barn Farm, Swallows Lane,
Dial Post RH13 8NN England
Exclusive for WSFWI members!
Experience Knepp Estate like never before. Join us on July 3rd 2025 for a behind-the-scenes walk, exploring off-limits paths and learning about stork habitats. Led by a Knepp Rewilding Foundation Guide.
Afterwards, enjoy an optional visit to the Knepp Estate Café
Book your spot by emailing tickets@wsfwi.co.uk £15 per person
Behind the Scenes at Knepp with the Storks
Thursday 23rd July 2025 10.00am
Safari/Campsite carpark:
New Barn Farm, Swallows Lane,
Dial Post RH13 8NN England
Exclusive for WSFWI members!
Experience Knepp Estate like never before. Join us on July 23rd 2025 for a behind-the-scenes walk, exploring off-limits paths and learning about stork habitats. Led by a Knepp Rewilding Foundation Guide.
Afterwards, enjoy an optional visit to the Knepp Estate Café
Book your spot by emailing tickets@wsfwi.co.uk £15 per person
The Federation Quiz 2025!
Tuesday 12th August 2025 3.30pm - 5.30pm & 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Get your thinking caps on, West Sussex WI members! The much-anticipated Federation Annual Quiz is returning on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, promising an afternoon and evening of friendly competition, brain-teasing questions, and plenty of fun.
This is your chance to pit your team’s wits against fellow WI members from across the county, showcasing your collective knowledge. Gather your friends and prepare for an intellectual challenge that will have you laughing, learning, and collaborating.
Multiple Locations, Double the Fun!
To make it easier for everyone to participate, the quiz will be held simultaneously at three convenient locations:
- Village Hall, North Mundham
- Denman House, Horsham
- The Arc, Crawley
With both afternoon (3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and evening (7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) sessions available, you can choose the time that suits you best.
Assemble Your Dream Team!
Each team can consist of up to three WI members, and at just £5.00 per person, it’s an affordable and enjoyable way to spend an afternoon or evening. Your WI can enter as many teams as you can muster, so gather your friends and get ready to show off your knowledge!
Mark Your Calendars and Stay Tuned!
Team application details will be available in the April/May editions of the West Sussex News (WSN), so keep an eye out for further information. In the meantime, start brushing up on your general knowledge and forming your dream team!
Test Your Knowledge and Team Spirit: The Federation Quiz Returns in 2025!
The WI Autumn Showcase - Alice in Wonderland!
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th September 2025
9.00am - 5.00pm
South of England Showground, Ardingly
“Down the Rabbit Hole We Go!”
Join is for the 2025 WI Autumn Showcase, a whimsical wonderland of creativity! This year, we are stepping through the looking glass and inviting you to experience the magic of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ brought to life by the talented hands of our WI members.
Following the resounding success of last year’s showcase, we are thrilled to once again open our “SHOP WINDOW” to the public, showcasing the incredible skills and talents that make our WI so special. This enchanting event is not only the highlight of the WI calendar but also a fantastic opportunity to inspire and connect with the community.
We cordially invite you to take part in the 2025 WI Autumn Showcase, a truly unforgettable experience! Don’t miss this extraordinary journey into the heart of WI creativity!
Classes
Alice in Wonderland Classes
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party - Class 1 £10
Cooperative Cookery
A minimum of 3 members to take
part & only 1 entry per WI.
To be displayed / staged on a tray no larger than
18” x 14” (46cm x 36cm) or 18” diameter
(Display & staging will be judged).
Roughly 18in (46cm)
6 Cheese Straws
Recipe of own choice
4 Jam Tarts
Homemade Shortcrust Pastry, own choice of jam.
Battenburg Cake
Recipe of own choice with homemade almond paste.
‘Drink Me Cordial’
Recipe own choice.
5 ‘Eat Me Iced Biscuits’
Recipe own choice.
Alice’s Garden - Class 2 £5
Fresh flower arrangement in a teacup & saucer.
Standard size teacup, to be brought to the showground ready for judging.
An Invitation to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party - Class 3 £5
Maximum size A5
Style own choice.
The Queen of Hearts Fabric Heart Cushion - Class 4 £5
Any size.
Decorated Mad Hatter’s Top Hat - Class 5 £5
Standard bought felt top hat allowed.
Crafted made hats will be judged separately.
Alice in Wonderland Themed Fancy Dress Costume - Class 6 £5
Size to fir 5 -7 aged child.
Crafted White Rabbit with Jacket & watch - Class 7 £5
Any material allowed.
Alice in Wonderland Themed Decorated Cup Cakes - Class 8 £5
5 x decorated, plus 1 x plain for tasting.
To be displayed on a plate.
Closing date for entries with payment by Friday 1st August 2025.
Medieval East Grinstead
Wednesday 1st October 2025
10.00am - 4.00pm
Step back in time with us!
Join WSFWI on Wednesday 1st October 2025, for a captivating journey through medieval East Grinstead.
What’s in store?
- Morning guided tour of East Grinstead with East Grinstead Museum’s expert guide
- Afternoon guided tour of the stunning Sackville college, a Jacobean Almshouse.
- Uncover East Grinstead’s fascinating history, admire its architecture and discover the influential people who shaped East Grinstead.
Don’t miss this opportunity to step back in time and experience the magic of East Grinstead.
Book your spot now by emailing tickets@wsfwi.co.uk £20 per person
Faberdashery
Saturday 4th October 2025
1.30pm - 4.00pm
Barnham
Save the date, more details to follow
WSFWI 106th Annual Meeting
Wednesday 22nd October 2025
10.00pm - 4.00pm
Brighton Road Baptist Church, Horsham
Save the date, more details to follow