About Us
We are the Whiteley Jambusters WI and we formed in 2017. We are a relaxed, friendly, informal group of women based in Whiteley in Fareham. We are a forward-looking, group of women and we have had talks on everything from bee keeping to jewellery making.
We are hula-hoopers, history walkers, walkers, theatre goers, cocktail drinkers, readers, gardeners and everything else in between. But most of all we like to have fun together. We have an active Book, Culture and Dining Club as well as a Walking and seasonal Garden Club.
So if you're looking to have fun, make friends and learn new skills please explore our website to find out more about what we do, what we've got coming up and how to get involved.
Meet The Team
Lucy, President
Hi, I'm Lucy, the current President of Jambusters. I am a general enthusiast, lover and thoroughly opinionated consumer of art in all its forms especially books.
I am environmentally friendly, a keen allotmenteer, walker, technophile, evolving cook, craftily challenged, amateur mixologist, dedicated Chelsea supporter, fiercely feminist and well established, unashamedly mad cat and dog lady.
Jill, Secretary
I've been privileged to be Jambusters Secretary for the last couple of years and think we have an amazing group. The WI is such a diverse organisation-moving with the times yet also staying true to its core value with friendship and community at its heart.
Aside from WI, I enjoy walking, travelling, reading and, of course, spending time at the allotment (if you didn't know). Hubby and I are slowly ticking off sections of the South West Coast Path-and we're always looking forward to getting our boots on.
Lorraine, Treasurer
Lorraine (in Spain) is our longest serving Committee member, having joined right at the beginning, and she have been our Treasurer since 2017. In 2020 Lorraine and husband Colin moved to Estepona in Spain, and from their townhouse rooftop terrace enjoy views of both the mountains and sea. Lorraine works remotely for a UK firm of accountants based on Hayling Island and in her spare time loves crafting, exploring her new surroundings and visiting daughter Penny who lives in nearby Gibraltar.
Jenny, Committee
Jenny heard about a new WI starting in Whiteley from a friend and decided to give it a go, although wasn't sure if it was her "thing" - jam and Jerusalem and all that! And all these years later she's enjoying all the activities on offer and has made lots of new friends along the way. When she's not looking after her grandchildren Jenny loves to travel. As a keen gardener and reader she enjoys our Book and Gardening Gals' Group. She is also amazing at making our Birthday Cakes!
Sara, Committee
Having recently retired, plus moving to a new area, I needed some new social contacts and the obvious place to to start my search was my local WI. I was lucky to find the Jambusters on my first hit!
I am new to the WI family but have found a warm welcome and a great selection of activities so now have lots of dates in my diary to look forward to. I recently joined the committee and look forward to getting even more involved.
I would thoroughly recommend any woman in a similar position to bite the bullet and give the WI a go, it is not the old fashioned jam making institute that it may have been in the past. so come and say hello, you never know you may stay!
Susan, Committee
I am Susan and am an early and recent retiree. I started planning my retirement and wanted to ensure I had a network of similar minded people to help the transition and keep me current and stimulated.
I was lucky enough to visit Jambusters first and found a home. I love walking, music history, and creating art. I have recently joined the committee and hope to contribute to the warm and welcoming group.
Pat, Vice-President
Vice-President Pat loves cooking, baking and dining. She also enjoys Pilates and gardening but says she has black thumbs not green fingers. Pat loves spending time with her family but also loves travelling and Cornwall is a favourite destination. She says Jambusters is perfect for meeting new friends and learning new skills and she loves being a part of this lovely group.
Sue, Assistant Treasurer
Sue is also a founding member of Jambusters and is our Assistant Treasurer. Like many of us Sue joined initially to make new friends and after a couple of years decided to become more involved by joining the Committee. Sue often takes the lead organising dining and garden group activities and is also our raffle guru. She has a passion for gardening, enjoys reading and walking and volunteers in a school library. Sue and husband Lawrence have just welcomed grandchild No2 Arthur.
Chrissy, Committee
I am an early retiree (I hope this is a real word) having completed 27 years lecturing in A level Biology at 6th Form College. I became an enthusiastic returner to sunny Hampshire in November 2019. I have 3 children and acres of time to fill, now they've fled the nest. I came here for love, but have settled with a lodger and a part-time job.
I love to play tennis, countryside/seaside walks, kayaking, cycling, gardening, painting and singing. I really like socialising, so am very positive about the Jambusters crew. What a wealth of potential we have...for meaningful causes and good fun! It makes me feel so much more at home already.
Judith, Committee
I was welcomed into Jambusters after lockdown and have thoroughly enjoyed our friendly and active group ever since.
My hobbies are learning Finnish as I love my annual trips to Lapland to visit my son, walking, cross stitch, gardening and socialising with friends. I also volunteer at our primary school once a week.
We are fortunate that the Jambusters WI group brings pleasure, friendship and interest in many different ways.