About us

Baildon Belles was formed in 2009. From a first meeting in the pub (when we panicked no one would turn up), the group has grown to more than a hundred! We've changed our venue three times to fit you all in: from a tiny room in the pub, to Baildon Link, to the vast space of St John's Church Hall where we now meet on the last Thursday of every month.

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Our members

Our average age is forties, but we have members from 18 to 80. More importantly (for age is just a number!) we have a young, fun and firmly female agenda. And our membership isn't just from Baildon: people come from Saltaire, Micklethwaite, Keighley and  even further afield! Our aims are to enjoy ourselves and to do good for Baildon. We are a fabulously talented group of women, and getting together means we can learn from each other and help each other progress. Forget the 'old boys' network' – the girls are here now!

In our monthly meetings, we swap skills, make contacts and form friendships. Events have included burlesque, chapatti rolling and a giant pumpkin-growing competition (yes, there really is something for everyone!).

When & where we meet

About the Women's Institute

Baildon Belles is proud to be part of the Women's Institute. When you join Baildon Belles you also become a member of the WI nationally, and you'll get a monthly magazine (WI Life). More importantly, you'll become part of the largest women's group in the UK, a community of women that's been making things happen for nearly 100 years (the WI was formed in 1915 following the war). The WI is what you make it: it's not about jam and jerusalem (unless you want it to be) - it's about 'inspiring women' (the motto of the WI since a recent rebrand).

Our committee

Our current president is Emily McDowall, and she is supported by the hard-working Baildon Belles committee who meet each month to plan our meetings. Although the programme for the year is planned in advance, there's still a lot of work to do just before each meeting to ensure everything goes to plan.