Welcome to Gothic Valley WI
PUTTING THE BLACK IN BLACKBERRY JAM
WHO WE ARE
From Jam and Jerusalem to Black Lace and Byron
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Gothic Valley WI was started in early 2012 by a group of friends and like-minded women in London. Our members come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and in our spare time we enjoy growing our own veg, protesting inequalities, raising awareness about women's issues, baking, jam-making, crafting and some of us wear lots of black.
As a group we feel that we have great skills and experience to share with each other and with the local community. From foraging to fencing and queer mermaids to death doulas, there will never be a dull moment in Gothic Valley WI!
We strive to be an inclusive group and invite anyone who identifies as female to join us.
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Where and when we meet
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7:30 - 9:30pm.
Our usual venue is the Radio Cafe Islington , 6 Navigator Square, Archway, London N19 3TD (the nearest tube is Archway).
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The WI - Inspiring women then and now
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In 1915 the WI set out to give women a voice and to be a force for good in the community. Since then, our membership and our ambitions alike have grown tremendously. Today, we are the largest women's organisation in the UK and we pride ourselves on being a trusted place for women of all generations to share experiences and learn from each other.
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The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.
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We inspire women through experiences, knowledge and skills. These are passed down through generations and continually updated to reflect the lives of women today.
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Whatever your reason for joining, we offer all kinds of opportunities to all kinds of women. For some, it’s a chance to meet people and catch up with friends. For others, it’s a way to learn valuable life skills and make a difference in their communities through WI campaigns.
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WIs come in all shapes and sizes and our members can be involved in the way that suits them. The WI is what you want it to be. The more you put in, the more you get out.
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Click here to learn more about the history of the WI.
INTO THE VALLEY OF THE GOTHS
Goth in its simplest form is a subculture
There is no specific thing that defines what you need to do or be to fit into the goth scene (even the implied black clothing isn't necessary!).
The subcultural arguably started in the music of the post-punk 1970s and has blossomed into the diversity we see today. People in the goth scene all have different musical tastes, follow different religions, have different occupations, hobbies, and fashion sense.
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The Valley of the Goths
You won't find Gothic Valley on a map, but as they say, home is where the heart is. Our hearts and homes tend to be off Holloway Road, reaching from Highbury and Islington to Crouch End. However, we have no geographical restrictions on membership and some of our members travel in from other parts of London and the South East.
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Gothic Valley WI - Then
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Gothic Valley WI developed slowly as like-minded people came together in North London. What started as an inside joke became our way of identifying with our local neighbourhood.
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Gothic Valley WI - Now
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Gothic Valley WI's alternative culture attracts and welcomes a diverse and inclusive membership.
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Our Mission
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We focus on women’s issues and feminism
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We are committed to the inclusion of alternative sub-cultures
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We are focused predominantly on our local community
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We are committed to campaigning and activism
WHAT WE DO
Supporting
Each WI holds eleven meetings every year and members can also get involved in the various regional and national level events and activities. Throughout the year, GVWI arranges a wide range of activities including speakers, learning and social events.
We also have sub-groups like CraftyGoth, CultureGoth and our sister group, BiblioGoth.
Socialising
GVWI runs a themed pub quiz for World Goth Day, holds a summer picnic, and hosts a Halloween party, all of which are open to friends and family, regardless of gender.
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Campaigning
The WI campaigns bring members together to take action on local, national and global issues. In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, we are focusing our attention on supporting members and their local communities through this uncertain time. Our work on loneliness and mental health will be particularly important in tackling the challenges that many of us are facing.
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Gothic Valley also raise money for Solace Women’s Aid, a local charity that supports women and children in London to build safe and strong lives and futures free from abuse and violence.
Sharing
Many of the London-based Women’s Institutes come together at community events and annual Group Meetings. We maintain good relationships with our sister WIs, and events like the Alternative Bring & Buy, 6 Music Festival and the Knitting and Stitching show give us the chance to meet new friends and to be ambassadors for the WI.
Networking
The National Federation of Women’s Institutes and the Middlesex Federation (GVWI’s county-level federation) provide additional opportunities for members, including educational bursaries, the Middlesex Federation Annual Council Meeting, and the National Federation Annual General Meeting.
