Branch of WI in Shropshire marks 90th anniversary

Sundorne WI in Shrewsbury is going strong and several of its members have been attending meetings for 50 years.

President Mabel Dyas says she could not be more proud, having only become president in November.

She said: "I couldn't be happier that we've celebrated 90 years together. Some of my members have been coming for for 50 years when it was a completely different era. They were told to come along by their mothers-in-law and they've been coming ever since."

Sundorne WI has 41 members and was formed in May 1924.

The branch meets at the village hall in Uffington, near Shrewsbury, and recently members enjoyed a celebration meal at the Corbett Arms, Uffington, to mark the milestone birthday.

Mrs Dyas, from Heath Farm, has unearthed the minutes from one of the very first meetings, and believes the WI has undergone a transformation. With jam-making no longer the soul focus, the popularity of the WI has increased across the country, with the film Calender Girls depicting the strong friendships that can be formed.

She said: "I think a sisterhood would be a good word to use, we support each other.

"We have our own care officer, and that really matters. When someone isn't very well or there has been a bereavement you always know there is someone there for you just to see you're okay."

And for some members, membership of the WI has been passed down through the generations.

Mrs Dyas said: "We have changed an awful lot in some ways, but we found a picture and one of my members recognised her mother.

"And that is such a lovely and special thing to have, to know your mum used to come and now you do."

Mrs Dyas has made sure that her committee has moved with the times, with a variety of speakers attending their meetings.

"They are such a wonderful bunch of ladies," she said.

"We can offer so much to new members. We had a beautician come in, so it's not all about how to run a home."

Mrs Dyas said the group would love some younger members.

"We would love that, we really would.

"We are an ageing group and the WI has changed enormously.

"It would be brilliant if some younger people could come forward because we quite a humorous bunch. We laugh together."

Campaigning

The Women's Institute was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War.

Since then the organisation's aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK.

They have enabled women to build on a wide range of skills, and it is currently campaigning for more midwives. Mrs Dyas said her role was very fulfilling, and she believes the WI has never been busier.

She said: "We do an awful lot. I just couldn't recommend it enough for friendship and for all the interesting things we do."

For more information about the Women's Institute, visit the organisation's website at http://www.thewi.org.uk/campaigns