AN HISTORIC institution celebrated its centenary with a garden party.
Newbold Pacey and Ashorne WI was founded 100 years ago by Georgiana Little, who gathered a group of 54 local women, meeting regularly at Ashorne Village Hut.
Numbers may have fallen – now there are 28 women aged 29 to 97 – but the WI is still going strong with regular activities, from learning new crafts to theatre trips.
President Trish Handsley said: “Membership fluctuated, particularly during the Second World War but the WI always supported the local community. Members ran a produce stall at the village fete to fund an annual children’s party and ensure all new village babies received a five-shilling saving certificate.
“In 1940 the members supported the war effort, producing more than 200lbs of preserves from government sugar. The records noted ‘in spite of war time difficulties and journey restrictions, speakers or demonstrators arrived at every monthly meeting’.
“Our WI is here to stay and we’d welcome more members.”
To celebrate the group’s long history, a garden party was held at committee member Judith Little’s house – who is married to William, the great grandson of founder Georgiana Little.
Guests included past and present members along with national chairwoman Lynne Stubbings.
Visit warwickshirewi.org.uk/wi/newbold-pacey-ashorne for more information.
