THE start of 2015 will be marked in style by a Harrogate branch of the Women’s Institute as it begins the celebrations of the organisation’s centenary year.

Spa Sweethearts WI aims to recruit 100 members during 2015 and the group is already well on its way to achieving its target, with more thank 60 ladies having signed up before the year had even begun.

President Becky Warburton, 26, said: “This is going to be a huge year for the WI as it marks 100 years since it was founded in 1915.

“Although our group is relatively new, having been set up in 2011, we are just as keen to mark the centenary as more established branches. We’re very proud to be part of such a powerful and respected organisation, and we also want to show that the WI is relevant to modern women of all ages and has an important role to play in 21st century life.

“Our 100 Years, 100 Members campaign encourages women to leave their preconceptions behind and come along to a meeting with an open mind. We’d love to have new visitors at any of our meetings in 2015 and we’ll show them what the WI is really about.”

As part of the group’s campaign, Becky has set up a new Twitter account to demonstrate the diverse and interesting activities of WI groups around the UK. Each week in 2015, a new group will take over @WomenoftheWI and share news from their members and their meetings.

The first meeting of the year will be A Vision for 2015, on Thursday, January 8 at St George’s Social Club on St George’s Road, Harrogate, at 7.30pm.