Suffolk West WI spread its message with weekend stall in Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds

Members of a Women’s Institute (WI) federation spoke to the people of Bury St Edmunds at the weekend with a stall in Charter Square.

Representatives from Suffolk West WIs, which has 43 branches across the area, spoke to townspeople and shared their vision of empowering women.

Rachel Hows, federation secretary, said: “We were out there promoting the WI and trying to recruit new members to keep it growing and involving the new generations.

“We had a really good response – we’re always keen to set up new WIs in the villages where they don’t already exist if people want to get involved.”

“The WI is the UK’s largest women’s organisation and dates back to a time when women were to be seen but not heard.

“Our main goal is to keep educating women – it’s a social occasion, a chance for women to spend time with other like minded women, a safe space for women and we aim to empower women.”

Suffolk’s WI is divided into two branches – Suffolk West and Suffolk East.