Our Clubs
Getting to know people can be hard in a large group such as the monthly meeting,
so our clubs are a key part of our membership.
The smaller numbers at these can help to create and build on friendships, find common interests,
learn and share experiences, have fun and build memories.
Barton Bees is a very active WI and we have quite a few clubs, so all members are asked to take your time to explore each and never be afraid to reach out for more information, or ask to join any, the more the merrier!
Skittles
'Barton Stingers'
When: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Where: The Walkford Pub, Gore Road, New Milton
Time: Starts 7.30pm
Run By: Debbie Ward
Not a real skittles team, we play for fun and laughs, so no experience required, just a good sense of humour!
Some of us meet earlier and have dinner at the pub too.
Walking Groups
'Bees Knees' & 'Barking Dogs'
When: Various
Where: Anywhere
Time: Mostly 10.30am, but can vary
Run By: Trisha Tominey, Jax Elkington & Laura Ellner
Walks are usually once every 2 or 3 weeks, they can be anywhere, but usually not too far away and on average 3 to 5 miles.
Details of how far and the sort of terrain, is published with each walk. You have to sign up for the walks, so that we know who is coming and it is always at your own risk.
And. we are pretty good at finding a nice coffee shop or pub at the end too!
Short Walks
When: Various
Where: Anywhere
Time: Mostly 10.30am, but can vary
Run By: Linda Thorogood
For those who prefer a shorter walk or stroll, these are arranged adhoc and could be anywhere. We try to keep to easy paths and terrain, not travel too far and no longer than 2 miles.
You need to sign up for the walks, so we know who is coming and it is always at your own risk.
It's all about gentle exercise, good company and of course the tea and cake!
Crafts
'Busy Bees'
When: 2rd Tuesday of each month
Where: Mary Magdalene Church Hall, New Milton
(as per our monthly meeting)
Time: Starts 7.15pm
Run By: Sonia Dunn
Our members have a wide variety of crafting skills, sometimes we bring along something we are working on, other times we hold a class to learn something new. These can be led by one of our members and occasionally we bring in an expert.
We enter items into the WI New Forest Show & Brockenhurst Group Show, but you don't need to be an expert, it's all for fun!
There is an additional charge for this group membership, just to cover the cost of the hall fees.
Darts
'Bullseye Bees'
When: First Tuesday of each month
Where: The Conservative Club, New Milton
Time: Starts 10.30am
Run By: Georgie Gosnold
A lively bunch of ladies who are learning to play darts (or re-kindling old skills).
You don't need your own darts, just come for the fun and we always stop for a cuppa and chat after!
Gardening
'Blooming Bees'
When: Various
Where: Anywhere
Time: Various
Run By: Amanda Harris
For the love of plants, we maintain some flower boxes and beds down on Barton on Sea front and like to visit gardens and exhibits.
No experience required, just an interest in flora and fauna.
Sometimes a small working group, sometimes a day out, its all about, flowers, good company and of course the tea and cake!
Photography
'Snappy Bees'
When: Various
Where: Anywhere
Time: Various
Run By: Kay Lynch & Jo Dew
If you have a proper camera (no phones sorry) and like to get out to use it and learn more about taking great pictures, join our club!
No experts here, we learn from each other and enjoy some lovely visits to places of interest to take beautiful photographs.
It's all about a common interest, enhancing our skills, good company and of course there's usually some tea and cake!
Book Clubs
We have 4 book clubs
A lot of our WI members like to read, so we have grown to have 4 book clubs
All meet monthly, but is different on where they meet and what they read
Book Club - A
Meet: TBC
Where: TBC
Time: TBC
Run By: Carolyn Wallace
TBC
Book Club - B
'Novel Bees'
Meet: 1st Wednesday of each month
Where: Members homes (we take it in turn)
Time: 7.30pm
Run By: Kathy Anstead
We are a friendly laid back club who read a variety of books, but mostly novels.
All members can nominate books to add to our reading list.
We discuss and score the book we have read each month and there is always chat, tea and cake involved!
Book Club - C
Meet: TBC
Where: TBC
Time: TBC
Run By: TBC
TBC
Book Club - D
Meet: TBC
Where: TBC
Time: TBC
Run By: Chris Hollingshead
TBC