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2000s

In 1999 the results of an audit on the media's perception of the WI revealed how useful it is to the media compared with other women's organisations. The media gave considerable coverage to the Triennial General Meeting at the Wembley Arena in 2000.

This meeting was addressed by the Prime Minister. Some of the 6,000 WI members present showed their disapproval with a slow hand-clap as they felt he was using the occasion to make a party political statement.

PM Tony Blair and Helen Carey AGM (2000)

The NFWI chose to celebrate the millennium with a Craft Spectacular exhibition at Tatton Park, indicating a continued commitment to crafts, preserving and passing on old skills and developing new ones. The setting up of alliances with other organisations also helped the NFWI to conduct high profile campaigns.

2000
The Prime Minister addressed the Triennial General Meeting and a science conference was organised with the Natural History Museum. The Women 2000 exhibition took place and the website was redesigned and relaunched.

The millennium exhibition, Craft Spectacular, took place at Tatton Park. WIs organised a 'Buy British, buy local' fortnight.  The NFWI Chairman of Public Affairs Jill Cobley, addressed MEPs in Strasbourg about threats to postal services in rural areas.

2001 
The Volunteers' Hours Survey taken from 1,000 WIs, showed that their members devoted 3,477,312 hours to voluntary work each year. In that same year, following the Foot and Mouth crisis, the NFWI called on the Government to support family farms. The NFWI was also invited to join the Rural Task Force. The 'Pathway to the 21st century: celebrating our communities' project was completed .

2002
The What Women Want postcard campaign was launched, leading up to the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. A review of the constitution took place, Denman College became integrated with the NFWI and the Community Challenge Project was launched.

2003 
Barbara Gill was elected as the NFWI Chairman and the WI campaigned with  WWF-UK and the Co-op bank on the 'Chemicals and Health' campaign. Five WI members completed the London Marathon and the Membership Communications System was introduced.

2004
The NFWI archives were deposited at The Women's Library and opened up to the public. The NFWI membership survey results were published and the National Needlework Archive project was launched to record the WI's needlework textiles.

2005
The WI celebrated its 90th anniversary. A special badge was issued and the Community Challenge Project was completed.  The WI garden at Tatton Park won an RHS gold medal. Following the sudden death of Barbara Gill,  Fay Mansell was elected NFWI Chair. The 90@90 report was published.

2006
The final issue of Home and Country magazine, which was started in 1919.

2007
Launch of WI Life, a new membership magazine.

2009
The WI Cookery School opened at Denman College.

2010
The First Real Jam Festival was held at Denman College and a WI Album by The Harmonies was launched.