Wantage WI is one of eight WIs belonging to the Charn Group. The others in the local area are:
Childrey and Sparsholt. https://www.childreysparsholtwi.com
Charlton. https://oxfordshire.thewi.org.uk/find-wi/charlton
Grove: https://grovewioxon.weebly.com/
Hanney: https://thehanneys.uk/clubs-groups/womens institute/
King Alfred’s https://oxfordshire.thewi.org.uk/find-wi/wantage-king-alfreds
The Letcombes https://livewell.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Services/7305/Letcombe-WI-Letcom
Burnt Cakes https://oxfordshire.thewi.org.uk/find-wi/burnt-cakes
The Charn Group have a committee led by the Group Convenor who is currently Liz Dickins, former President of the Wantage WI. The members of the committee are usually the Presidents of the WIs in the group.
The group holds an event twice a year, usually in April and October, often at a local village hall. There is usually a main speaker with other things happening on the night. It is an opportunity for members to get to know other members in their area, and enjoy speakers whom the individual WI may not be able to afford.
All WIs have a role to play at the event, whether it is taking money at the door, organising refreshments, arranging a raffle, providing entertainment, or having a competition of some description.
We are very lucky to have our very own Liz Dickins as the Charn group convener because as we know Liz has a great way of making things happen!
March 2025
Charlie Dimmock gave us a wonderful talk on gardens, ponds and being on TV.
April 2024
https://businesswales.gov.wales/success-stories/sewing-style
Debra Drake gave a fabulous talk to the Charn group. Debra was a finalist in the Great British Sewing Bee.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03myqj2
October 2023
Andrew Prince gave a dazzling talk at the Charn group in October. “From Downton to Gatsby”
https://andrewprincelectures.com/
April 2022
And at last we are back and what a great evening with Eric Knowles. Very interesting and very funny. Any Lalique in the attic?
October 2019
On the 27th November we were treated to Carole Williams and her beautiful “Strictly Come Dancing” dresses.
Take a look at DSI ~London
April 2019
On the 24th April Stuart Hilliard from the sewing bee, talked to us about his life and his quilts. A fabulous talk really interesting and very funny.
On the 24th October 2018 Ali McLeod hosted a wine tasting and gave us a talk on Wines & Wine Making. Ali and Andy live in Wantage and have their own vineyard, Meadowgrove Vineyard, on the outskirts of the town which they have had for 15 years. They sell their wines into restaurants in the area. They also have a vineyard in Catalan, Spain and are producing award winning wines at great prices.
After the meeting we donated £100 to the Como Breast Cancer Support Group.
On the 25th April 2018 Gabriela, The Musical Entertainer, really entertained us with her singing, great sense of fun and brilliant playing on her many and varied ukuleles. She had been described to Liz as ‘Happiness in a Hat’ which suited her admirably.
After the meeting we donated £100 to The Blood Bikers
Wantage WI 