News and Updates

Southwater Christmas Festival

The Christmas Committee are busily creating festive treats to sell on our WI stall at this much loved annual Christmas event.

Join us in Lintot Square from 12.30 on Saturday 30th November.
There will be plenty of shopping and food and drink opportunities, Santa's grotto, stage acts and more.

All culminating with the turning on of the Christmas lights and singing carols around the tree.

If you would like to volunteer to help set up or man the stall, contact us on [email protected].

Barns Green Water Station - September

Thank you to everyone who helped alongside Ann & Caitlin’s Guides and Doug & Jamie! There was a slight issue of lack of water….. An emergency dash, avoiding a bevy of pheasants (bevy is the actual collective noun! Who knew?!) to Shipley Scout hut resolved this and it was a very successful morning.

Freedom of the Parish - Ann Smith

Granting the Freedom of the Parish is the highest Honour that a Parish Council can bestow. Those who receive the honour are able to use the title of Freeman and Freewoman. Wi Committee member, Ann was awarded this prestigious accolade for her contribution to the village, including over 35 years in Girl Guiding as ‘Paddy’. And over 10 years running a community favourite ’The Little Teahouse’ with her daughter, Caitlin. Parish Council Chairman, Derek Moore presented Ann with the award with Doug & Caitlin in attendance. Well Done Ann!!!

Women's Only Cycling

We have the opportunity to get involved in some local women's only cycle rides
supported by Cycling UK staring this Spring.

If you have a bike and would like to know more, we are looking for 6 cyclists to join a largely off road ladies cycle around Southwater and the local area, including refreshments! We will even organise bike safety checks for you before we go..

If you are interested in joining in, speak to ilanit at a meeting or email [email protected]

Southwater Christmas Festival

We were delighted to be part of this fantastic village event. The Christmas sub-committee did us proud and it was a roaring success.

Remembrance Sunday

We gathered in Lintot Square on Sunday 12th November to remember those who fought so hard to give us the freedom we have today. Karen & Suzanne laid our WI wreath

Run Barns Green

Thank you the WI ladies and Southwater Guides who joined forces to man the water station today for Run Barnes Green, for the third year running.

We cheered and clapped and kept the runners hydrated and motivated.
Thank you also to Ann’s husband, Doug. Who managed the road closure and was in charge of the walkie talkie. We’ll be back again next year

Coronation Bonfire Celebrations

The rain didn't stop this village event to celebrate the coronation.

Happy Birthday to Us! We are 5!

Happy 5th
Birthday to us!

Southwater WI has been around for a fabulous 5 years now. We celebrated in style at our February Annual Meeting.

We have developed, evolved and achieved
So much. We couldn't do it without our fantastic committee and all of our members. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Southwater WI has become the heart of Southwater and long may we continue.

Remembrance Sunday 13th November

We gathered on Sunday 13th November along with so many people from the village to remember those who lost their lives at war. Jackie & Suzanne laid a wreath for Southwater WI. We will remember them

Thank you to our very own ‘Gardening Gang’ who made sure the war memorial garden was at it’s best.

Southwater WI's Queen of Stamps

At a Southwater WI committee meeting in the Spring, we discussed commemorating the Platinum Jubilee with a creative and lasting tribute. After a lively and imaginative discussion, the idea of creating our very own 'Queen of Stamps' was born. This amazing artwork was created at Southwater Community Partnership's 'Jubilee Jamboree@ on 4th June this year.
We were fortunate enough to have an incredible stamp collection donated by a local resident Alan Fillmore. Southwater based artist, Sandra Deighton very kindly drew the outline for us..
Several evenings were spent sorting the stamps into colours and those of Royal significance. On the day of the jamboree, the village turned out in their droves, residents of all ages selected and stuck their stamps, some still remembering which one was theirs. It was a true village collaboration. Once completed, we enlisted the assistance of local framer, Nicholas Gentle. We chose a mount in the Jubilee purple and the platinum coloured plaque reads 'Presented by Southwater WI to commemorate the Jubilee Jamboree in June 2022 celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1952-2022
Southwater Parish Council generously provided our Queen with a home in the lobby at Beeson House, outside the library, to be enjoyed by the people who created her and admired by the village.
We had intended to wait to organise an official unveiling ceremony prior to displaying our Queen. Recent sad events led us to feeling that now was the time to share her with our village. She was installed on Tuesday and the response has been incredible. The Queen was a WI member, at Sandringham WI for over 80 years and a long supporter of our institution. We will be remembering her at our September meeting with, reportedly, her favourite cake, Battenburg, and toasting Her Majesty with cups of tea and perhaps raising a little gin and Dubonnet in her honour.

Jubilee Jamboree - 4th June 2022

Well the sun shone and the crowds came! 'Mrs Jubilee' Karen James, lead our WI involvement in this fantastic local event. Thank you to all who joined in to help and all who attended on the day. We are still wondering where all of Mel's corgis went, I am sure they found some loving Southwater homes! The new WI gazebo had its first outing, first of many we hope!
Thank you also to the WI husbands, Chris for helping with logistics and Grant for the G&Ts! We look forward to showcasing our 'Queen of Stamps' once completed and framed.

Southwater's Jubilee Beacon - 2nd June 2022

A magical evening and a fitting tribute.

Thank you in particular to the WI husbands, Glyn Slowly & Adam Thiim who designed and built this awesome structure, assisted by Andy Epaminondas and a small team of willing helpers.

Our beacon was one of thousands lit across the UK at 9.45pm.

Throughout history the symbolism behind the flame has come to represent eternity. The lighting of beacons for a royal jubilee in part came to symbolize the country's perceived "eternal" devotion to the monarch. Poet Thomas Lowe was inspired to write the work "The Beacon Lights of Loyalty" by the lighting of the beacons in June 1887

Southwater War Memorial Garden

Thank you to Babs Humphrey who tidied up the garden and planted some lovely new plants. Thanks to Suzanne Lewis for ongoing weeding whilst walking Louis! Karen James & ilanit Slowly fought with cable ties and then rubber bands to attach the flags to the gates!

Holy Innocents 'Jubilee Windows'

The church exhibition of ‘Jubilee windows’ took place over the long Jubilee weekend

Here is our WI contribution, we were given the subject of ‘Garden Party'

Thank you to Karen James for knitting HRH and creating this whole windowsill masterpiece. Thanks also to Mel Moore for the corgi.

The schools and local clubs have also made exhibits, including girl guiding’s Commonwealth window, created by Ann Smith and her lovely guides.

The Village Hall Jubilee Decoration

Today (21st May) we decorated the hall, all ready for the hall events, starting next week. A big thank you to all who helped and supported, especially Keith True & 'Odd Job Bob'

Thank you to Karen James, Jackie Pearce, Suzanne Lewis, ilanit Slowly, Sue Pullinger, Carol Scoon, Tracy True, Avril Cooper, Coral Bayley, Honor Young & Patricia Thorpe

The sun shone brightly and our Queen looks magnificent, gracing the front of the hall for all to see.