Mirren sends good wishes as WI says it with flowers

One of the stars of the film Calendar Girls sent a special message to Wye WI as part of its 100th birthday celebrations.

Helen Mirren sent birthday wishes to the organisation, the second oldest Women’s Institue in Britain, via video at a celebratory service on Monday.

The Oscar-winning actress starred in the film which told the story of 11 members of Rylstone and District WI who raised money for charity by posing naked for a calendar.

Wye WI was the second to be formed in Britain – the first was in Wales.

Mrs Dunstan, the wife of the principal of Wye College, set up Wye WI with the support of 82 village women.

The first meeting was in July 1917 and 50 women signed up immediately.

By the end of the year Wye WI A special video message from Helen Mirren was played; a scene from the film Calendar Girls had more than 100 members, and some of their descendants are in the organisation today.

The WI celebrated the anniversary with a flower festival in Wye Parish Church over four days, from last Friday to Monday, which was a huge success with more than 600 visitors.

It celebrated the WI through the decades, including how it helped to feed people during two world wars by preserving fruit and veg.

There was a commemoration of the coronation as well as references to the Calendar Girls film.

Poems and photos that were found in the archives were incorporated into the floral displays.

One of the most popular displays was one which celebrated the WI’s work to help bees and featured a colourful flowers decorated with ceramic bees.

The Calendar Girls display was also a success, and visitors were particularly impressed with the elegant sunflower arrangement.

Alongside the festival there was a celebratory service in the church on Monday and the flowers will remain on display until they begin wilting.

There are some for sale including the Jam and Jerusalem roses which were grown especially for festival in Wye.

There will be further anniversary celebrations throughout the year, including an exhibition and a tree-planting ceremony.

FM4804831 Rosie Fletcher and Sheila Chapman admire the exhibition around the font Pictures: Paul Amos

Wye WI members in 1922, part of the display from the archives

This old photo dates from 1921

FM4804841 Vinny McLean gets into this exhibit with its WI jam and preserves theme

FM4809156 The Rev Ravi Holy, vicar of Wye, with Wye WI president Pamela Donovan at one of the displays

FM4804839 Save the Bees theme in this display attracting Sheila Gunning and Anneli Woolls

FM4804832 A display based on the Queen’s coronation is admired by June Dean

FM4804827 Beautiful hats

FM4804828 Sunflowers feature