It’s 100 years since WI was formed

WI members across the area are marking 100 years since the West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes was formed.

This year’s centenary celebrations follow the 2015 events marking 100 years of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.

The first West Sussex WI, and second WI in Britain, was formed at Singleton and East Dean in 1915.

The programme of special events starts tomorrow with lunch for 100 West Sussex members at the Avisford Park Hotel in Arundel, where West Sussex federation chairman Yvonne Price will cut the centenary cake.

Selected WI members will be the planting 100 oak trees at Northwood National Trust Estate in Slindon on Saturday, March 16, at 10am.

Events co-ordinator Janice Langley promises there will be something for everyone on Friday, March 29, at A Musical Evening, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at Clair Hall in Hayward’s Heath.

The evening’s entertainment will showcase young musical talent in the county – West Sussex Music Youth Big Band, 15-year-old soloist Henry Godwin and Worthing Steel Band.

Tickets are priced at £8 and can be obtained through the WI or online.

Continuing the year of celebration will be an afternoon at Fontwell Races on Thursday, May 16, where the West Sussex federation will be sponsoring a race.

There will be a Chairman’s Reception in July, while Preserving the Past for the Future in September will look at ways to archive the West Sussex WI memorabilia.

The federation centenary annual meeting will be held in Worthing in October.

Then in November, members will be celebrating at a lunch with a difference, promoting the WI campaign on food waste.

The year of centenary celebrations will finish with carols in Chichester Cathedral in December.