Activities - finding a group is proving rather complicated.

So last night I attended an open meeting of a new WI group.

The evening, on the whole, was quite nice. But on reflection I realised that was all that it was - nice. I wasn't particularly engaged by the whole idea; there were far too many people there for me to be in any way confident that I could come to feel part of the group. Most people seemed to have come along with someone they knew or knew someone who was already involved, and when there are over 130 people in the room it's very hard if you've come on your own.

I like the idea of the WI. I like the idea of an organisation where you can meet new people and try new things without any pressures. But I've now worked out what my problem with the WI is - I have a problem with the W.

I'm sure there are numerous people out there who would like to join something like the WI but cannot because the constitution states "Membership of the WI is open to women" (question 12 of the FAQs) - to the apparent exclusion of those who are not, or do not identify themselves as, women. 

So what about those people who enjoy crafts and baking and all the other things traditionally associated with the WI. People who also want to learn new things, listen to interesting talks and go on trips to the V&A to see their ballgown exhibition. People who want to meet new people and get involved in campaigns. Whilst there are groups that will do one or other of these things that are not exclusively for women, I can't think of any other organisation that covers it all in the way the WI does or works on anything like the same scale.

So that is my conundrum. 

Well my main conundrum. There is also the problem of Jerusalem; it's always been a bit to militant for my liking. But then I also refuse to sing Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.