A CELEBRATION of friendship was had when the final curtain was called on the Bowness-on-Solway Women’s Institute group.

For 100 years, the group has held regular get-togethers helping one another and playing roles in the community.

The Bowness-on-Solway faction had a long-standing joke with the Scotby group over which was the first to be opened in Cumbria.

But, in reality they were just pipped to the post by Scotby.

History has revealed that on the day the two groups were officiated, the person doing it had opened Scotby in the afternoon as it had been closer to Carlisle, before travelling to the Bowness group in the evening.

Over the years it had been a thriving group of women, doing many things for the community and the wider area.

The women all have other interests in the community and plan to keep being involved.

Proud of what they have achieved over the years, even though the numbers have fallen, president Sue Gallagher said: “This wasn’t a sad occasion and we don’t want to think of it like that: we marked our 100 years.

“It has always been difficult for us to get new members, as geographically we’re not in the best position.

“We didn’t have enough people to make it sustainable over the last few years.

“By the end, we had a very positive seven members who will all stay friends.”

The WI played an important role in Mrs Gallagher’s life, as the group help her integrate into the community.

She said: “I was a teacher for 35 years and I felt I needed to do something for myself, I needed to get involved in the community.

“I was always glad to get to know people with other interests and I now feel like I’m part of this community.

“Times have changed and a lot of people don’t have as much time as they once had to take part.”

At its peak, the group had more than 35 members and this year had been a great year with the group winning the federation quiz.

Present throughout the final meeting was an official representative from the WI Federation, who was required to officiate the vote for closer (the official term for closing a group).

The formal part of the evening was explained and a secret vote was held, before it was agreed unanimously to disband Bowness-on-Solway WI.

The members have all been offered places at other WIs in the area, but intend to stay firm friends and continue to meet up and take part in community work.

The evening ended on a high with soup followed by a competition to select the best pudding.

Agreeing not to meet again as the WI they would all remain in contact as a

perfectly formed group of friends.