Thornton Hough Women’s Institute (WI): 100 years at the heart of the community

WI Hall is the home of Thornton Hough WI. A former blacksmith’s cottage and forge, it was donated to the local WI by William Hesketh, the first Lord Leverhulme, for 999 years for a peppercorn rent.

The WI hold their monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of every month with guest speakers and it’s also where they organise their own short breaks, arts clubs, camping/other holidays, book clubs and a raft of community pursuits.

In 2025 Thornton Hough WI took on the hospice’s £50 challenge.

What we didn’t know then, they did of course, was that within a year they’d be celebrating a centenary year.

So, it seemed apt that we offered them another £50 (to make a round £100) to take on the challenge once again.

When Janet Gaywood, President of Thornton Hough WI, visited the hospice recently, she told us a little more about the WI and reflected on last year’s challenge.

“Our WI is part of the Cheshire Federation and Mid-Wirral group of WI’s.

We, like all the others, are about friendship and trying to make a difference in our local communities.

We’re all about supporting local charities and Wirral Hospice St John’s is one very close to our hearts.

Being 100 years old in March this year means we’re be embarking on a series of events to mark the anniversary.

The £50 challenge was so much fun last year that we’re working it into our programme again in 2026.

Last year we held two events between our forty-three members.

A delicious cream tea where we’d used the £50 to buy the ingredients for cakes and scones, and also a clothes swap where the ladies sorted out some of their pre-loved, quality clothing, shoes and other accessories, for a pop-up and pop-in shop together, which was also an occasion to organise cake and refreshments.

When we were told we had won a category called ‘The Community Impact Award’ and it was to be presented at the hospice to our members, Marj, Sheila, Judith and myself, we were so honoured.”

Jo Roberts, events and corporates manager for the hospice responded,

“The hospice was privileged to meet with the great ladies from Thornton Hough WI and receive their kind donation of £850 raised from their £50 challenge events.

The WI slogan is Inspiring Women and in the sense of underlining what they do, all I can say is that they certainly are.

Wirral Hospice is so grateful for their kind support and we’re looking forward to working with them all again this year.”

Hear, Hear! From everyone at Wirral Hospice St John’s.

Is your organisation or business up for the £50 challenge to raise funds for Wirral Hospice St John’s?

Find more details of how to get involved at (link) or contact fundraising@wirralhospice.org

We’ll be delighted to help