Lyn Gibb-de Swarte shares how Littleport's Women's Institute celebrated its 101st birthday this week.
One-hundred-and-one years of not just singing Jerusalem at the start of every sociable monthly meeting, but campaigning for the last two lines of that William Blake poem to come true for women.
The WI was founded by women’s suffrage campaigners and, with its mix of fun and rebellion, it didn’t take long before the doughty women of Littleport began their own branch.
On Tuesday September 12, at its usual time (7.15pm) and venue (Littleport Village Hall), it celebrated entering its second century with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem led by the evening’s entertainers KJ and the Catt.
After a rather short business of the month meeting, as it was the special birthday too of member Pauline, 'Happy Birthday' was sung to her.
Then, the splendid homemade cake celebrating the WI’s birthday was cut and scrumptious buffet devoured.
Littleport WI president Margaret McGowen (for many years secretary for the Littleport branch of the Royal British Legion; husband Garth its chair) led the dancing that continued unabated until the party had to stop at the usual closing time (9pm).
Next month, on Tuesday October 10, the speaker will be from the Welney Wetland Trust Centre.
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