Over 40 ladies including 4 visitors attended the monthly meeting of Stowe WI at the village hall. As it was March it was also the annual meeting where the committee and president are elected. During the regular part of the meeting, forthcoming events were spoken about, the ladies are going to see The Longest Yarn in Lichfield; a visit to Dunham Massey later in the summer and Christmas events were also discussed. The annual meeting then took place, there are now 51 members of Stowe WI, with more new members hoped for during the next 12 months, 3 of the committee have decided to retire from their roles and 3 new members have been duly elected in their place. Kath gave her yearly report and was subsequently elected for another year in the role of president. 

Hixon and Area Community First Responders gave a presentation on how the scheme works in the villages.There are 5 qualified community first responders at present, however they are hoping in increase this to 10. They are all volunteers. The training is provided by West Midlands Ambulance Service and after their intensive initial training they have yearly mandatory training to complete. They respond to Category 1 and Category 2 emergencies which could be heart attacks, unresponsive patients or excessive bleeding. They stated that in their busiest month they attended 58 calls, and when they get to the patients location, the relief on peoples faces when they turn up makes their job worthwhile. They have charity status so are continually fund raising, Suzanne is part of the scheme and she is always selling her handmade crafts to raise money for them, she has raised £800 from the regular coffee mornings that the WI host at the village hall. 

President Kath gave a cheque for £150 to the first responders to help with their fund raising, and they are the chosen charity for Stowe WI this year. 

The next meeting of Stowe WI will take place on Tuesday 14th April 2026, and the coffee mornings are on the fourth Thursday of the month, 23rd April being the next one.

New members and guests are always welcome.

Meetings are held in the Village Hall at 7-30pm on the second Tuesday of the month.

Stowe WI also holds a monthly coffee morning at Stowe Village Hall on the 4th Thursday of the month. Everyone is welcome between 10-00am and midday.