Records of the East Sussex Federation of Women's Institutes

The Women’s Institute (WI) played a major part in improving life for rural residents, especially women. It was established in the UK in 1915 as a response to the need to increase food production during the First World War. The aim was to improve the education and interests of women, and to get them involved in the growing and preserving of food. The East Sussex Federation of the WI was formed in 1919.

On 14 December 1919 the first WI market in England was held in Lewes. These markets were a vital boost to the post-war economy. Initially WI members provided the produce for sale, but the markets increasingly became a place for smallholders and gardeners to make a profit from the extra fruit and vegetables they grew.

The collection

East Sussex Record Office has an extensive collection of WI records covering around 150 local branches, and the federation headquarters. It contains information relating to local people, places and events, and is of potential interest to anyone researching an individual, the community, or social history. The archive includes scrapbooks compiled by WI members, as well as details of meetings dating back to start of the WI movement.

The scrapbooks range in date from the early days of the WI movement, to the commemoration of the Millennium. A number were compiled for the East Sussex WI Village Scrapbook Competitions to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953 and to mark the Golden Jubilee of the National Federation of Women's Institutes in 1965. Many of the scrapbooks contain material which is much earlier in date, and some have carefully embroidered covers.

Documents of special interest

We hold records from many branches throughout the county, listed below is a sample of what we hold, with reference numbers in brackets.

• Burwash WI scrapbooks, 1919–1965 (WI 20/4/1, 3)
• Burwash Weald WI scrapbooks, 1965–1997 (WI 56 1/1-7)
• Chiddingly WI millennium scrapbook, 1996–2000 (WI 58/4/1)
• Crowborough St John's WI scrapbooks, 1936–1985 (WI 104/6/1-3)
• Ditchling WI scrapbook, 1965 (WI 68/1/1)
• Forest Row WI scrapbook, 1921–1927 (WI 47/3/1)
• Heathfield Tower WI scrapbook, 1905–1971 (WI 13/3/1)
• Lewes St Anne's WI scrapbooks, 1919–1981 (WI 67/3/1-2)
• Little Common Afternoon WI, [c1892] – 1959 (WI 126/4/3)
• Northiam WI scrapbooks, 1952, including Perigoe family papers, 1805–1839; 1965 (WI 101/5/1-2)
• Old Heathfield WI scrapbook, 1903–1952 (WI 61/4/1)
• Ore and Baldslow WI, scrapbook, [1918]-1978 (WI 129/3/1)
• Tidebrook and Sparrow's Green WI, 1929 (WI 142/4/1)
• Uckfield Fourways Evening WI scrapbooks, 1955–1991 (WI 107/3/1-2) Barcombe WI scrapbooks, [1860]-1973 (WI 112/1/1-3)
• Waldron WI scrapbooks, [1850] -1965 (WI 10/5/3-4)

More can be found in our lists on Access to Archives.

Viewing these records

You may view these records at East Sussex Record Office, but as they are held off-site we will need one week's notice. You may request to view a maximum of five of these items at one time.

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