Other organisations?

I am a member of NWR but whilst everyone was very warm and welcoming I did get a bit tired of the talk of grandchildren - I can look at pictures and ooh and ahh with the best of them but not for several hours at a time, also why I haven't joined the WI. I haven't been to a meeting now for several weeks, I may go back after Christmas.

Of course, it may be that your local group is different from mine - I would give it a go.

sel am not a member of any but no people who are and they seem to have a very good time if that helps .i dont think its for me .x

Well that's one of my preconceptions shattered Barrow I thought the NWR would be slightly more serious - thought it was all worthy discussions etc. Yes, sitting round comparing grandchildren wouldn't appeal to me either. I'm put off the WI as I am not very domestically inclined {smile]

Thanks london I'm thinking it's you and me both then

Funny how the NWR has aged! Forty years ago, when it was still NHR, we were all young mums and desperate to talk about things outside the home as few of us had jobs in those days. Now, we are almost all retired, apart from a few bright young things in their 50s. But we still talk about interesting topics and have a separate book group too. I doubt if there are many younger women in NWR nowadays, as my DiLs generation have responsible jobs and little time to be 'joiners'.

Excuse my ignorance but can you tell me please what is NWR?
Have just been to a book club,enjoyed as held in a pub by the landladies mum,next one due16th Dec,very welcoming on first visit,even though books a bit of a let down they have a specific genre which is crime.
WI hasn't been open to newbies last two months,but will try in January.
Red Hats disbanded in last village due to lack of take up
U3A,in last village closed shop full of people so far up their own backsides.xxnellie

Aha now I know ...

NWR is National Womens Register

Thanks barrow it clicked when I saw posts after minexx

What a shame the U3A was a washout for you Nellie. I have found ours to be really inclusive and it has a huge range of activities that anyone can join. The theatre visits have really enhanced my cultural life as I don't like going into Manchester at night on my own - now we go in a coach and there's no hassle about parking.

Think I was just unlucky with the members,who where retired professionals and business people who wanted to keep the likes of me out,as the groups where held in private homes,you didn't get allowed to join groups unless you had an invite,you couldn't demand to be let in someone's home,so this is how it became very inclusive,but that village was very much divided in that way anno sounds very interesting and just the thing I would enjoy...no use crying over spilt milk though,will try WI in this village,there is no U3A.

I belong to the local WI, although it no longer calls itself that and has broken away from the main body.

It is just a group of ladies from the village who get together to listen to talks, have a bit of fun and drink tea. Some of the talks are brilliant, some boring, but I always try and go as it helps me to be a part of village life and connects me to others and their lives. It is a supportuve community and this is valuable. I have experienced nothing but kindness from all of them.

I belonged to NHR when it first started and really enjoyed it but it did get very clique-y! I don't belong to anything at all but I do volunteer and that has opened up lots of opportunities within the organisation. I have made some very good friends too, as you would expect really, as we all have a similar outlook.

kittylester whom do you volunteer for as i am interested for myself x

That's certainly not the way U3A is supposed to function, Smol. What a bunch of brainless snobs! If only they knew what they were missing not having known you!

Thanks anno ..like kitty I am looking to volunteer again if I am allowed whilst looking for work on ESA.
Have worked with families in the past,and have just received a call from age uk with a new project they are looking to start,will look into this more,if only it would lead to a paid positionxx

Join U3A and start your own group? If you have an interest that they do not cover. That is how U3A is supposed to work.
They vary hugely in size. There may be another one, just a few miles away. There are a few big ones round here and a few tiny ones.

Thank you all for your input (I sound like a meeting, sorry!) I wonder if these organisations will die off gradually - they thrived in the days when women didn't work I suppose. There are several WEA classes round here which are great although the name always makes me think I should be brandishing a torch

I don't see the NWR surviving our generation. We are rapidly becoming the Pensioners' Register! However the U3A should last because there will always be a Third Age.

It used to be The National Housewives Register?

Yes, Jess. It was founded in 1961 for 'lively minded' (sic) women who had previously had careers but now found themselves marooned at home with young children. The name was changed in 1987 to reflect the changing role of women in home and workplace. timeline here

I'm a big fan of WI and really think there are some really outdated views of it. It's not the wartime bottling, canning and knitting organisation of our mothers' generation although you can do all those things and more if so inclined. It's full of lively women with a huge variety of talents and activities to match.

When DH and I retired south, from Yorkshire in 2003 I didn't know a soul in the village so I joined the WI and soon found friends and activities waiting for me. In addition to the monthly meetings, with a speaker, there were numerous sub-groups including, craft, golf, croquet, swimming, walking, recorder-players, choir, gardening, outings, book groups and theatre trips. I could have been out and about every day. WI ladies like eating and talking so there lots of extra events involving those activities.

We moved to the south coast in June this year so of course I have joined the local WI and already, have found similar outgoing, lively ladies to get to know and make friends with. I miss my old WI but have had a warm welcome and feel at home here and today am going on the first of several WI Christmas activities - a lunch!

Please give it a try those of you who are still wondering about it. It's really not all Jam and Jerusalem.

I am a member of Rotary and love every moment of it. It is great to belong to a world wide family of 1.2 million, and to know that wherever you go, you will be welcome. I have taken part in community and international projects too. Good stuff!

As a young mother I belonged to NHR and resally enjoyed it but I moved out of the area and got back to work so ceased to be a member. Since then I have joined groups associated with interests I have rather than general social organisations.

My passion is archaeology so I am an active member of several local archaeology groups plus being a local volunteer with the Churches Conservation Trust, which looks after redundant churches and also CPRE. I also used to be a volunteer with Age UK (Age Concern as was). My village has a WI but seeing its programme in the parish magasine, it does little to interest me, neither does the Book Club or Darby & Joan group, even though I would qualify for membership.

How well joining a group works is very touch and go. DH, a singer, encouraged by a neighbour joined the village singers, but left after three months because it was so unwelcoming and cliquey. Other friends who belong to choirs elsewhere were gob smacked because most choirs are friendly and welcoming so if one group are unwelcoming, find another..

Local branches of national organisations vary enormously so all you can do is go along and see what's happening with any given group. Or you could start your own club around something that interests you.

When I retired a few years back, I desperately wanted to join a book club, but there didn't seem to be any.. . . .so I started one. I put a notice in my local book shop ( or you could also use the library) and we gradually built up to a group of eight, still going strong over 10 years later.