In this section, you can read about any news relating to the Forest Group, CFWI or NFWI. Don't forget to keep an eye on emails from Avril who circulates all communications from CFWI and NFWI.
FOREST GROUP CAROL CONCERT 1st December 2025
Methodist Church, Kelsall
FOREST AUTUMN MEETING 2025
Monday 13th October at 2.30 pm at Tarporley Community Centre.
Being keen on sewing myself, I found Debra Drake's talk, who was a finalist on the Great British Sewing Bee 2022, very interesting. Debra explained she had started sewing when she was 9 years old and with this love of fashion went on to gain an HND in Fashion and Design, but chose not to pursue this as a career. After 20 years working in the corporate world of Communication and Events and when her son was older, she took up sewing again. Debra was amazed when she applied to go on the Sewing Bee and was accepted to go on the show. She won garment of the week three times and was a finalist. Debra now specialises in making "Chanel" type jackets and runs workshops on how to construct these bespoke jackets. She has recently been offered a job at a top fashion and design college.
Susan Vincent
Methodist Church, Kelsall
FOREST AUTUMN MEETING 2025
Monday 13th October at 2.30 pm at Tarporley Community Centre.
Being keen on sewing myself, I found Debra Drake's talk, who was a finalist on the Great British Sewing Bee 2022, very interesting. Debra explained she had started sewing when she was 9 years old and with this love of fashion went on to gain an HND in Fashion and Design, but chose not to pursue this as a career. After 20 years working in the corporate world of Communication and Events and when her son was older, she took up sewing again. Debra was amazed when she applied to go on the Sewing Bee and was accepted to go on the show. She won garment of the week three times and was a finalist. Debra now specialises in making "Chanel" type jackets and runs workshops on how to construct these bespoke jackets. She has recently been offered a job at a top fashion and design college.
Susan Vincent
CFWI AUTUMN MEETING 2025 at the Storyhouse, Chester
The meeting didn't begin well - there were huge problems in the region with travel on road and rail meaning that many didn't arrive at 9am as planned but drifted in as traffic allowed! But 800 members still made the journey to support our wonderful speakers.
The morning session was filled with inspiration due to three incredible women - Charl Tinne from Cale Green WI who shared how the support of her WI empowered her, Samantha Phillis, also from Cale Green who told funny stories about her busy life, and finally NFWI Chair Jefyl Stone who joined us with a look at how WI is evolving to inspire the members of the future.
Our meeting was made extra special by our Afternoon Speaker, Aled Jones. He was warm, friendly and engaging, sharing stories from his incredible career, meeting remarkable people and embracing exciting new opportunities, whilst staying true to his roots. He wasn't able to stay as long as planned as he had to get back to London for rehearsals for the musical Elf at the Aldwych Theatre, but we're so grateful he was able to join us and we're sure all our members left with smiles on their faces.
There were a dozen Kelsall WI members at the event and if you're sharp eyed you might spot 3 familiar faces in the third row on the right. The others are not so easy to find but they all enjoyed the day.
Fiona
The meeting didn't begin well - there were huge problems in the region with travel on road and rail meaning that many didn't arrive at 9am as planned but drifted in as traffic allowed! But 800 members still made the journey to support our wonderful speakers.
The morning session was filled with inspiration due to three incredible women - Charl Tinne from Cale Green WI who shared how the support of her WI empowered her, Samantha Phillis, also from Cale Green who told funny stories about her busy life, and finally NFWI Chair Jefyl Stone who joined us with a look at how WI is evolving to inspire the members of the future.
Our meeting was made extra special by our Afternoon Speaker, Aled Jones. He was warm, friendly and engaging, sharing stories from his incredible career, meeting remarkable people and embracing exciting new opportunities, whilst staying true to his roots. He wasn't able to stay as long as planned as he had to get back to London for rehearsals for the musical Elf at the Aldwych Theatre, but we're so grateful he was able to join us and we're sure all our members left with smiles on their faces.
There were a dozen Kelsall WI members at the event and if you're sharp eyed you might spot 3 familiar faces in the third row on the right. The others are not so easy to find but they all enjoyed the day.
Fiona
