LONGWELL Green Women’s Institute is closing on April 1 in the wake of the national organisation’s decision to ban transgender women.
The National Federation of WIs (NFWI) announced in December that it was changing its policy following the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
This means that from this month – the start of the new subscription year – trans women can no longer be WI members although trans men, who were born female, can.
The NFWI, which has about 180,000 members nationwide, said independent legal advice had forced the decision, which had been made “with the utmost regret and sadness”. It intends to set up a network of inclusive WI Sisterhood groups alongside its formal structure.
Longwell Green, which had about 80 members, joins a number of WI branches across the country that have voted to close, often because committee members have decided to leave.
In a statement, the branch said: “It is with regret that Longwell Green Women’s Institute (LGWI) announces that it is closing from 1 April 2026.
“The LGWI has been in existence since 1954 and over 72 years has grown to a membership of over 80 providing friendship, wellbeing, interests and support.
“Due to the resignation of the three essential Committee Officers, (President, Secretary and Treasurer) who are not renewing their membership from 1 April, and despite unsuccessful appeals to the members to fill the posts, a committee cannot be formed.
“This was a difficult decision for the Committee Officers to make as they didn’t want to let down the members. The decision was the result of the National Federation of WIs’ (NFWI) change of policy to ban transgender women from being members, exacerbated by the manner in which this was handled without engagement or consultation with the grass roots members.
“Some members had also indicated they would not be renewing their membership for this reason. As a result, at a Special Meeting overseen by the Avon Federation of Wis (AFWI), the majority of members voted for closure.
“However, going forward, a community-based ladies group has been discussed with current members who are enthusiastic to continue meeting in a different guise. Such a group is likely to be set up meaning friendships, clubs, activities, outings etc can continue and grow, hopefully for at least another 72 years!
“More news on the new group in the very near future!
“The final monthly meeting took place on 20 March 2026 when members looked over the memorabilia that had been collected during the last 72 years and celebrated how successful our WI had been.”
A spokesperson for AFWI said: “’The Avon Federation supports the 87 WIs in our region, and we are working to support the members of Longwell Green WI. All our WIs are individual charities that rely on volunteers to operate, and March is the period in the financial year where members make decisions about holding positions in their WI and Federations.
“We continue to work to reach out to women who might like to get involved with the WI; either as members and post holders in their local group, or at federation level. The WI runs on the passion and power of women supporting one another, and learning from each other.
“For the full statement on the upcoming membership policy change, visit www.thewi.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases “