PAST and present members of Kilve and District WI enjoyed a summer extravaganza to celebrate the group's 70th birthday.

Some 26 members and five guests tucked into Pimms and lunch, followed by a quiz and a raffle at the home of member Claire Heather at Hilltop, Kilve.

One of the most sought-after raffle prizes was a cream tea for two at the Chantry Tea Gardens in Kilve, donated by owners Nick and Jacqui Dawe.

Among the members at the celebration was Phyllis Lemon who joined the institute at the tender age of 14 in 1942.

She used to attend meetings with her mother, who was a founder member of Kilve and District WI.

Margaret Bigg, an area adviser for the Somerset County Federation of WIs also attended: "She is an old friend of Kilve and District WI and brought her sunny personality and risqué joke book!" WI press officer Dilys Farrant said.

Photo: Steve Guscott