WI is the acronym for "Women's Institute." It's a women's social club. I copied the excerpt below from the home page of The Herefordshire Federation of Women's Institutes -- just one of many throughout the country --
"No - it's NOT all Jam and Jerusalem!. The WI is ideal for the woman of today. It offers women of all ages the change (sic) to make new friends, have a good time, learn new skills in a supportive environment and to get involved: in the village or town, in the county, and nationally. WI members are today's women working for tomorrow's world - and enjoying fun and friendship while they're at it.Locally, WIs meet for talks and demonstrations on anything and everything from gardening to computing. They also organise outings and get involved in the community - their chief aim is to improve and maintain the quality of life.
In Herefordshire, WIs can get together to enjoy sports, classes, competitions, craft shows, drama and music, workshops - and lots more. One doesn't have to be an expert to join in, all abilities are catered for. All members can participate either locally, countryside, or at Denman College, the WI's short-stay residential adult education college set in lovely Oxfordshire countryside - a famously riendly learning experience.
Nationally, the London HQ has professional staff looking after the interests of the organisation. The WI has its own national magazine, "Home and Country", available monthly on order from all good bookstalls at £1.45 (only 88p to members). It is a quality colour magazine, of interest to all women, but containing WI news and views as well. It also has its own publishing company, WI Books Ltd, which prints quality books on all sorts of subjects of interest to women (over 80 titles). A good selection is always available from Herefordshire's WI House, 90 St. Owen Street, Hereford, and non-members are welcome to drop in and see what is on offer."
Me again. At the time I took this, the page was located at http://www.newsquestmidlands.co.uk/hereford-times/hfd-wi/wi-1.htm