BANNERS, MUSIC and cake were in place for a local WI group to celebrate its Centennial anniversary.

President Marge Rastall welcomed the 70 members and other guests for Hexhamshire's WI 100th Birthday at The Parish Hall Whitley Chapel earlier this month.

Three members from Whitfield Institute graciously served the 'Crudities ' and the entertainment was provided by the talented Jason Arnup, who was a hit with the crowd, leading to impromptu sing-alongs and dancing in the aisles.

The delicious main course, which had been cooked by the Travellers Rest, was followed by puds, all made by members and including fruit salad and pavlova, all to ‘die for’.

Throughout the evening, the room was full of WI members generated a wonderful cacophony of noise and friendly chatter interspersed with great peals of laughter.

The birthday cake was cut by the ’shire’s oldest member, Barbara Parker, aged 93.  The other ‘senior’ member, Shirley Nixon, was unable to attend.

However, Barbara reminisced about being in the singing group, 'Shirley’s Girls', which was one of the happiest groups to grow out of the Shire WI. It met every week at Stotsfold Farm and often performed at local institutes and other venues.

Hexham Courant: WI's 'oldest member' Barbara Parker cutting the Hexhamshire WI’s 100th Birthday cakeWI's 'oldest member' Barbara Parker cutting the Hexhamshire WI’s 100th Birthday cake (Image: Hexhamshire WI)

Barbara then, to everyone’s surprise and delight, gave a very funny Joyce Grenfell monologue called ‘The Committee Meeting’.

Jason’s second session wasn’t underway long before tables were pushed back and the dance floor filled with happy, jiving WI members which ended a wonderful 100th celebration of the group.