The Women's Institute is 100 years old today. MAXINE GORDON reports on why it is still going strong in its 100th year

WHETHER they are making jugs of cocktails or jars of compote, meeting in church halls or city centre bars, it seems women can't get enough of the WI.

The organisation is looking in great shape as it celebrates its centenary.

Not only has Gary Barlow just finished writing Calendar Girls the musical - based on the infamous charity venture of some North Yorkshire members who bared all for a good cause - but membership is robust too.

And not just in the countryside.

York has a lively WI movement, with groups in Heworth, Osbaldwick and Murton, Acomb, Poppleton, Elvington and Copmanthorpe as well as two in the city centre, including one that meets in Brigantes pub on Micklegate (which has a waiting list to join).

In the past couple of years, new groups have been set up in Malton, Selby and Whitby. Last month, 60 women signed up when a new one was established at Monk Fryston, near Selby.

 

York Press:

Janice Whiteford, WI federation chairman for North Yorkshire East

Janice Whiteford is the federation chairman for North Yorkshire East and says the region has 105 WI groups with some 2,700 members - and despite it being 100 years old, is as relevant as ever.

The organisation's special mix of campaigning, craft-making and friendship remains as appealing today, she says.

"I have been a member for 39 years. I started to come when I was a young mum and I wanted to meet new people and wanted some time for myself. I learned an awful lot along the way. That's still the same today - people want to meet each other and socialise and get to know people in the area, and learn stuff along the way."

Rather than crafting and baking being old-fashioned pursuits - they are now the past-times of choice for thousands of modern women.

Janice says: "There is a whole generation of women who missed out in their education and their mums didn't have the skills. On TV, there are shows such as the Sewing Bee and The Great British Bake-Off and people want to do these things and there is nowhere they can be taught. We have filled that void."

Activities have moved with the times too. "If they want to make cocktails or wine making, they can do that too," says Janice.

But some things never change. Campaigning has been a strong element of the WI's raison d'etre, and that continues today.

The first WI meeting took place on Anglesey, North Wales, on September 16th 1915, and groups quickly spread to the UK. Today, the organisation has some 200,000 members, including the Queen.

Each year, members vote on the issue on which they will campaign in the months ahead. This year it was social care, and there have been previous drives to boost organ donations and set up breast cancer screening programmes, as well as campaign against litter.

Looking ahead, Janice believes the future is bright. "Membership is growing, particularly in urban areas. We will continue to evolve."

Sue Smailes is president of the Brigantes WI in York. Aged 59 and a town planner, she joined just three years ago. She said: "My mum was in the WI and it was really supportive when she needed it most. I wanted to get involved as I wanted to meet more local women."

York mum of two Hester Cashdan is one of the younger generation of women flocking to the WI.

Hester joined three years ago when in her late 30s and is now the president of York Central WI, which meets on the third Tuesday of every month at Jacob's Well, Trinity Lane.

She joined on the recommendation of a friend, and hasn't looked back. "People know about the cliches of the WI: the jam and the baking, which is appealing as well. But I was very interested to find out that they were such an active lobbying force and pressure group on a series of diverse issues."

Hester enjoys working with her committee members to put together a varied programme of events. "We have a really diverse age range with members in their 20s up to retired women. At the last meeting, we had a hand-drumming workshop and we had a guitar playing workshop too. We've looked at alternative therapies including nutrition and acupuncture and are planning a life-coaching workshop. We try to do traditional things too, like flower arranging and cake decoration."

What about jam making?

"We haven't got round to that yet - that's a bit scary, the pressure is too much!"

To find out more about joining the WI or finding a local group, contact the federation office in Thirsk: 01845 522415 or email: fedsec.nyefwi@btconnect.com