This week on Via - free courses for WI members!

 Here is a selection from this week’s choices: 

https://via.thewi.org.uk/

What’s on?

 Plenty of social activities for our lovely Brixham WI! 

Getting to know everyone!

 Here are some of your committee - President Val, treasurer Jenny, membership secretary Tina, Jill H, Sheila and Ann.

So you will know who they are next time!

Our Birthday Party & Kingswear Celebration

Wednesday 24th June, we celebrated Brixham WI's Birthday, and we also remember 100 Years ago in 1926, when Kingswear WI was formed, which sadly closed just a few years ago and the 5 remaining members joined the Brixham WI  Unfortunately only one of the ladies was with us.  To mark this occasion Ann (thank you Ann) baked a special cake which we sent with our love and best wishes to Virginia, Julia and Carolyn.

We had a lovely afternoon, celebrating with good food, good company, quizzes, bingo and a raffle.

What’s On?

 Loads of opportunities for socialising open to all Brixham WI members! Come along and give something new a go! 

Great sessions coming up this week on Via

 https://via.thewi.org.uk/courses

Click on the link to see more and sign in.

Via - find a course to suit you!

 https://via.thewi.org.uk/courses/the-last-dance-part-1

What’s on?

 

Exciting events coming up - save the dates!

Craft Session 
Tuesday 21 July 2026 at 2pm
Needle Felting 
The Chestnut Community Centre
1-3 Poplar Close Brixham TQ5 0SA
Cost 3.00 pay by BACS by Friday 
17 July 2026. 
Bring a drink and maybe a simple picture of the design you wish to create. 
There is parking along the road at the side of the community centre

Annual Cream Tea 
Wednesday 19 August 2026 at 2pm
The Golf Club 
Cost 6.00 pay by BACS by Friday 
14 August 2026


Event visit 
Tuesday 6 October 2026 at 11.30
Kent’s Cavern guided tour 
Cost 12.00 pay by BACS by Tuesday 29 September 2026
There is a very nice cafe for either breakfast before the tour or lunch afterwards!  Please let us know if you are able to offer a lift to Torquay. 

There will be a board at the monthly meeting for each of the above for members to sign if they wish to go. 

Useful information from Devon and Cornwall Police

 

The “Hang Up and Call Your Bank” Scam

Many people now know that the safest way to contact their bank is by calling 159 👉 Unfortunately, scammers are adapting — and using this advice against you   ⚠️ Here’s how the “Hang Up and Call Your Bank” scam works A criminal calls you pretending to be your bank and says things like: “Money is being taken from your account right now — we need your password to stop it” You refuse (which is the correct action) and then they say: “That’s right — never share your password. Please hang up and call your bank immediately” 👉 This sounds genuine — but it is part of the scam   🧠 What’s really happening The scammer is using social engineering to gain your trust and control what you do next. They know: You trust your bank You’ve been told to call them yourself You will feel reassured making the call yourself They know you will immediately make that call   ⚠️ Here’s the trick Even after you “hang up”: The scammer can keep the line open You may even hear a fake dial or ring tone When you dial 159 (or your banks phone number) you could still be connected to the scammer A second scammer may answer pretending to be your bank 👉 So although you think you’ve called your bank — you haven’t   ✅ How to stay safe ✔️ Safest option Use a different phone to call your bank (e.g. mobile instead of landline, or vice versa)   ✔️ If you only have one phone Hang up Wait at least 30–60 seconds Call a friend or family member first  👉 This confirms the line is properly cleared 👉 Then call 159   🚨 Warning signs Be suspicious if the caller: Tries to shock or scare you  Pressures you to act quickly Talks about money being at immediate risk Asks you to move money to a “safe account” Tells you to stay on the phone Tries to stop you hanging up 👉 Your bank will NEVER do these things   🟢 Key message “HANG UP PROPERLY – THEN CALL SAFELY”   ✅ Remember 159 will never call you You only use it when you dial it It connects you safely to your bank   ✅If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime 🌐 Report online here: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud 📞 Or call: 0300 123 2040   ✅ Final advice Scammers rely on panic and urgency. 👉 Take your time remain calm and stay in control   Please feel free to share this advice

Book Share

 Our Book Share group is very welcoming and friendly - we meet once a month to chat about the titles we have read, and suggest books for the forthcoming month. We meet at Churston Golf Club on the second Wednesday of the month at 11 am, for about an hour, or so. Lovely coffee and tea available, too! 

Here is a Brian Bilston poem, in case you feel like a little read right now!

If you would care to join us, ask to join our Brixham a WI Book Share WhatsApp group, just put your question in the WI WhatsApp group. 

Plenty to do and see here…

https://www.greatbiggreenweek.com/

Getting to know you…. Our monthly coffee morning!

 This morning at Lupton House a group of us met for a very interesting chat and a very lovely coffee (tea or hot chocolate!). A great opportunity to get to know some of your fellow WI members!

There is a second hand bookshop, too! Open on Tuesdays and maybe some other days, though I don’t remember which! They have a very good selection available, plus an offer of five books in the crime and fiction section for £5! A bargain indeed!

It was a bit chilly and showery for us to sit outside - maybe next month!

Life on the Edge events

Life on the Edge Events Programme

We are excited to promote our June LotE events  programme…

• The Women’s Conservation sessions are aimed at women (trans & non-binary folk included) in the Brixham area, and you can join any of the sessions that interest you.

• The Bug House making is for anyone age 12 or older.

• The Glow Worm Walk is aimed at anyone who is interested but please note, this is a 3 mile walk on uneven coast path in the dark so is only suitable for confident walkers.

• The walk is open to all.

All tasks will be run by experienced leaders who will provide all you need including brews and biscuits!

All events are free!

Booking for these events is essential. We can provide transport if needed.

To book your place or find out more information about the days themselves please email: lote@southdevon-nl.org.uk

or visit the South Devon National Landscape website! 

What’s on and a puzzle for you!

 Ok, so you have all had a chance to get a copy of our 2026/27 programme booklet…. (Available at the last two institute meetings) Who has spotted the error? 😕 (I take full responsibility, as proof reader!)

 The WI (National Federation of Women's Institutes)

As we celebrate Volunteers' Week, we wanted to take a moment to thank each and every volunteer that supports the WI. Our WIs would not be possible without the dedication and support shown by the thousands of charity trustees that help run them all.

Thank you for all the amazing work you do for your WIs and your communities - we wouldn't be the same without you

Information from the NFWI Annual Meeting on Thursday 4th June

 The WI (National Federation of Women's Institutes)

“My inspiration comes from you and your engagement – today and everyday – with our wonderful movement. Our impassioned discussions on our two resolutions today are just one reflection of the collective power we hold and the impact we have in our communities.

So, we will be back together in 2027 in Hull. I look forward to standing here and looking out at you all!” – Jeryl Stone, NFWI chair

Well if you watched the NFWI annual meeting today - wow what inspiring women speakers. I think the WI should produce some T-Shirts with ‘Be more like Anne’ on them - re Anne Boden, the first woman to found a British bank. (Written by a WI member)

Anne also chaired the government’s Women-led High-Growth Enterprise Taskforce. As a relative newbie (just over a years membership), I’m certainly going to embrace AI, support Women no matter what and never give up, despite those who knock me down cause my face doesn’t fit! I’m so inspired!

We need to stop trying to fix the women; there’s nothing wrong with us. We need to fix the system.’ – Anne Boden

Thank you very much for sharing your advice and experience, Anne!

Updated calendar

 

Urgent message from the committee!

 URGENT - DATE CHANGE OFBOUR NEXT MEETING

Good afternoon, ladies, 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Brixham WI’s annual birthday party meeting which was due to be held Wednesday 17th June has had to be postponed.

We are going to rearrange the meeting for the following Wednesday 24th June @ 2.00pm at the Brixham Cricket Club, North Boundary Road, Brixham TQ5 8LH.   Bring yourself, a plate of food, some money for raffle and bingo and your cup.

Also, because of this date change craft on Tuesday 23rd June is also cancelled.

We will get back to normal next month.

PLEASE WOULD YOU LET ANY OF YOUR FRIENDS WHO MIGHT NOT SEE THIS KNOW OF THESE CHANGES.

A message for you from Tina:

Ladies. Come to Cribbage tomorrow. 2pm Brixham Rugby Club.

Lots of laughter guaranteed. Tuition available. Buy a drink coz they are not charging us. 

Afternoon Tea 2026

 An Afternoon Tea has been arranged for Wednesday 19^th August (instead of WI meeting) @ Churston Golf Club, from 2 – 4pm, the Afternoon Tea will cost £6.00 – 2 scones, jam and cream with tea or coffee.  The board will be available at the next WI Members Meeting Wednesday 17^th June, so please sign up.

 

Payment will need to be made by BACs.

What’s on?

 

Ladies that Lunch" spent a very enjoyable time at Churston Golf Club on Tuesday. Nice food, great company and lots of fun. Thanks Jill Passmore for organising it for us.

What’s on?

 

Exciting opportunity here!

 

Our May Meeting

 At yesterday's meeting, which was our annual meeting, Lynn Asher was presented with flowers to thank her for her service as our President for the previous 2 years. Sparks Beattie who was also resigning from the committee was given some cheese! ( Sorry no photo for that).

Val Pearson won the silver spoon for most points through the year in the Flower competition.

Lynn and new committee member, Maureen

Val, our new President, and Barbara.

Theatre, anyone?

 The Scarlet Pimpernel.

This is very moving….

 ….especially as we were reminded of our Life on the Edge project today.

Mental Health Awareness week

 We all know someone who is affected. Find out more on Via.

What’s On?

 

Here’s something we can all do!

 Me & The Plastic Sea

A blister pack recycling scheme is coming to Brixham!

In collaboration with Prospect Brixham, we are bringing a new recycling scheme to the town!

We are working with the company My Group who recycle every bit of the product; foil, plastic and any residual medication waste. (I’ll pop a link to their website in the comments!)

You can find us for our first collection day on Saturday the 11th July on Fore Street (see photo here for more details).

We’d like to spread the word so if any local businesses would like to have a poster, please let us know! We hope to introduce a few drop-off points soon too, to make things a little easier and more convenient for people.

And lastly, if you’d like to support the scheme moving forward funding wise (we have to pay per box we fill and send off!) so please get in touch!

So remember folks, save those empty blister packs and spread the word!