It celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, but Teignmouth WI’s future beyond the next six months is currently looking uncertain.

The current committee are all stepping down in March 2027, and if they’re not replaced, the branch will have to close.

Teignmouth WI is a lively group who meet monthly at Richard Newton Hall and enjoy a range of additional outings and activities, according to their interests. The meetings always have an engaging speaker: recent guests have included a medical herbalist, a children’s author, a decluttering expert, an artist and a representative of Medical Detection Dogs. There are also monthly competitions and quizzes.

The branch also has sub-groups: the ‘explorers’ who go on trips to places of interest, a lunch club who try out local restaurants, and the ‘bright sparks’ craft group who get together to share their skills and techniques.

Members are all treated to a birthday celebration, and there are regular social events including spring and autumn suppers, and a Christmas party.

The branch celebrated its anniversary in July with a fancy dress party, where members dressed in 60s outfits.

The trouble is that none of the 28 members are willing to step into the soon-to-be vacant committee roles – and, as a charity, the branch is legally required to have a president, secretary and treasurer.

The current president Joanna Williams, who has been in post since 2023, is hoping to attract new members who might, in time, decide to join the committee.

New joiners certainly won’t be pressured into taking up one of the necessary roles, but she thinks people coming in with fresh ideas might welcome the chance to steer the branch in new directions.

“It’s a super, super group,” she said. “There’s a lot going on, there’s something for everybody.

“It’s a fun, friendly, welcoming, engaging group of women who enjoy meeting up and chatting. And lots of our members make new friends in the WI and meet them socially - there’s quite a big social scene outside the branch activities.

She added that the WI’s rather staid reputation is definitely a thing of the past: “I I think WI has shaken off its fusty, old-fashioned image.

“You don’t have to bake cakes, you don’t have to make jam, and we don’t sing Jerusalem at every meeting – although we do sing it at special events.”

Anyone who might be interested in joining Teignmouth WI is encouraged to take a look at their Facebook page to get an idea of what they do, and then just come along to one of their meetings, which are held at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Richard Newton Hall. If there are any further questions, email her at [email protected]