Past committee members
BOWI wouldn't have got off the ground had it not been for these members below
Since our founding in 2019, Barnsley Opals Women's Institute has developed and grown in a positive direction. We’re very proud of the diversity of our committee volunteers, and their abilities to contribute their own unique experience and skills to our success. Find out more about some of our team members below.
Past committee members
BOWI wouldn't have got off the ground if it wasn't for this team
Since our founding in 2019, Barnsley Opals Women's Institute has developed and grown in a positive direction. We’re very proud of the diversity of our committee volunteers, and their abilities to contribute their own unique experience and skills to our success. Find out more about some of our team members below.
Sarah Dunn
BOWI's Founder
About me
I am a thirty five year old Mum of two, we live in Royston with my husband and two cats. I am self-employed and run a creative franchise delivering classes and workshops to children and adults. I like crafts, reading, drinking gin when I get the chance and pretty frocks.
What inspired you to join the WI?
Since having my children I found that my social circle has diminished and my opportunities to leave the house on an evening are few and far between. I found myself feeling that I needed to make some new friends, but also that I wanted to do something worthwhile with my time and try some things that I might not otherwise be able to. I had previously visited a WI when I was a student in Leeds and knew that many WIs have ‘broken the mould’ and are offering varied workshops and classes. I asked around my local area to see if there were any women’s groups or WIs that might be what I was looking for but many were too far away so I took the plunge and contacted my Federation about starting a new one and here we are!
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Do you have any hopes or aspirations for Barnsley Opals?
I would love for BOWI to be the kind of place where women feel welcomed and valued, and there is genuine warmth amongst our members. We are already a fairly diverse group with lots of different interests so I would like us to ensure members feel listened to when they come to meetings and that we are all able to build friendships, learn new things and make a difference in our community.
Rebecca Beynon (Becca)
Assistant Secretary & Social Media
About me
Hi all! I’m Becca, BOWI’s Assistant Secretary and Social Media bod. I’m 38 years old and live in Denby Dale with my lovely husband James, a beautiful cat called Treacle and five rescue hens (Mrs Figg, Moaning Myrtle, Maggie, Pomona & Sybill). Recently we were joined by a beautiful Patterdale pup called Mabel.
I like to pack a lot into life and seem to be constantly on the go. I love being outdoors, me and James camp whenever we can squeeze it in and love to walk in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. I really enjoy crafts of all types and love learning new skills. I also volunteer with a charity called the British Hen Welfare Trust and do educational talks along with re-homing ex caged hens.
What inspired you to join the WI?
Joining the WI was always something I’d wanted to do but never got round to. I met Sarah (our awesome President) at adult craft sessions she runs, Sarah mentioned wanted to start a new WI in Barnsley and the rest as they say is history. I love to socialise and meet new people, and Barnsley Opals is the perfect opportunity to do just that. I also look forward to the BOWI being part of something bigger and making a real difference to our community.