WILLITON WI, the fifth oldest Women’s Institute in Somerset, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in May.

It will be holding a party for its members, and has also invited those from Watchet, St Audries Bay, Kilve, Bicknoller and Crowcombe WIs – which, with Williton, make up the Severn Seas Group.

The party, on May 17, will be at Danesborough View Common Room, where Williton WI meets regularly, and will be followed by a trip in June on the West Somerset Railway to Minehead, with lunch at the Beach Hotel.

It will be one of many events taking place around the county this year, as the Somerset Federation of WIs also celebrates its centenary.

“It’s lasted 100 years and is as relevant as ever,” said Chris Rayner, president of the Williton group, which now has 30 members.

“We’ve had ten new members this year, and people enjoy coming to the meetings and going to other institutes’ activities too.”

The group will have a display in Williton Library window to mark its centenary.

The party in May will include reading from a potted history of Williton WI, with extracts from past minutes – which give a revealing picture of social life and activities in times gone by.

** This Was The News 100 years ago - April 27th 1918 - A meeting was held in Williton to consider the formation of a Women’s Institute. It was arranged by Miss Meugens, and Lady Trevelyan presided.