About District 8
District 8 covers most of East Anglia, the large bulge of land on the East of England. It has a long coast line and inland are the fertile Fens with wide open horizons. Our 12 clubs are wide spread, with the majority on the coast and the rest deep inland resulting in long mileages attending District meetings. However, the latter seem to be well attended and membership fairly static.
District Chairman
District Chairman Angela Leggett-Bond
Welcome
I am a Suffolk girl born and bred near the River Waveney, which forms the important division between the Suffolk and Norfolk borders.
When I was 18 years old, I was a member of Rotaract in Beccles. I had no knowledge of the Inner Wheel organisation, which I was invited to join in my adult life. I have since been President twice of Bungay Inner Wheel, but I had to leave when they decided to change the meeting from evening to afternoon. I then became a Member @ large while looking for another Club to join that meets in the evenings. I am now a member of Inner Wheel Ipswich.
I attended the 100-year celebration meal in London and made new friends with whom I am still in touch. I have attended several conferences and was excited and honoured to go to the International Inner Wheel Conference in Manchester 2024. It brings home to you how large Inner Wheel is when you meet all the ladies from around the world. I have already booked the hotel in Llandudno for the conference next year. I am saving up to attend the next International Conference in the Philippines in 2027. I cannot encourage you enough to attend these Conferences, it is wonderful to see and talk to other nationalities from the worldwide Inner Wheel.
Angela Leggett-Bond
Social Links
Who we support
Lighthouse is a Suffolk based charity that supports women, young people and children who are affected by domestic abuse.
They offer refuge for women, young people and children who are fleeing an abusive situation.
Once they are safe, the team helps them to rebuild their lives, from sorting out benefits to arranging school places and assisting with moving on into a new home when ready.
Lighthouse also run a women’s centre in central Ipswich. This service is open to women, young people and children affected by domestic abuse. However, anyone can contact them for advice.
AD8
District 8 Officers
DISTRICT CHAIRMAN – Angela Leggett-Bond
1st Vice Chairman – Vacant
Immediate Past Chairman – Heather Hewson
District Secretary – Deirdre Griffin
District Treasurer – Elizabeth Thomas
Member of Council – Catherine Forsdike
District Editor – Catherine Forsdike
International Service Chairman – Linda Fellas
Membership & Development Officer – Lesley Frary
Email Us
District 8 Events
| Meeting | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Club Officers Assembly* | 29 July 2025 | Letton Hall IP25 7SA |
| *secretaries to not attend - zoom to be organised instead | August - date TBC | |
| District Rally | 15 October 2025 | Hintlesham Golf club nr Ipswich |
Current Clubs
Beccles - Waveney House Hotel NR34 9PL - 3rd Thursday 12.15
Ely - St. Mary’s Church Hall, St. Mary’s Street, Ely CB7 4HF - 4th Wednesday 19.00
Felixstowe - Orwell Hotel, Hamilton Road IP11 7DX - 1st & 3rd Thursday, 1st Thursday 19.00, 3rd Thursday at 12.00 noon
Great Yarmouth - The Imperial Hotel NR30 1EQ - 2nd Wednesday 12.45 Please contact: innerwheelgy@gmail.com
Hunstanton and District - Le Strange Arms Hotel PE36 6JJ - 1st Wednesday 19.00
Ipswich - Ipswich & Suffolk Club IP1 3BX (Evenings) Variable Lunchtime - 1st Monday Alternate Midday & Evenings
Ipswich Orwell - Ipswich & Suffolk Club IP1 3BX - 2nd Wednesday
Ipswich East - Contact Secretary - catherineforsdike2@gmail.com
Saffron Walden - The Coach & Horses/Saffron Walden Gold Club CB11 3TR - 1st Wednesday 18.30
Thetford - Thetford Golf Club IP24 3NE - 1st Wednesday 18.30
Watton - The Methodist Centre IP25 6BJ - 3rd Thursday 19.30
Woodbridge - Ufford Park Hotel IP12 1QW - 1st Thursday 18.30
(1950) BECCLES
(1948) ELY
(1939) FELIXSTOWE
(1934) GREAT YARMOUTH
(1977) HUNSTANTON & DISTRICT
(2015) IPSWICH
(1972) IPSWICH EAST
(1990) IPSWICH ORWELL
(1947) SAFFRON WALDEN
(1959) THETFORD
(1981) WATTON
(1950) WOODBRIDGE
District 8 latest news
D8 Ely Inner Wheel A G M and change of President
On June 25th, Ely Inner Wheel club held their AGM and were pleased to induct new member Helen Newton (see picture). Outgoing President Carol Peacock handed over the chain to new President Julia Smith who will take us into our 77th. year 2025-2026. Carol Peacock was...
D8 IW Woodbridge have a great summer!
Way back in May, there was a wonderfully hot Summery day bringing lots of smiling people out to Elmhurst Park in Woodbridge, to enjoy a fun day of peace for the 80th anniversary of peace. There were many visitors competing to get the most marbles in the jar and...
D8 IW Thetford have their own Ascot Ladies Day!
Ascot Ladies Day - Having Lunch and tea at a member’s house and placing bets to raise money for Charity ...