Future is looking bright as Ingol WI turns 90 years old

Ingol WI celebrate their 90th birthday by having a Presidents Lunch at Ashton & Lea Golf Club. Pictured clockwise from top left are Lynne Dunnagan, Anne Crossthwaite, Rosemary Moreton, Jan Domleo, Trilby Beetham and Hilary Ronson.

In honour of past tradition on President’s Day, where the colourful bunch were invited to wear black accessorised with yellow sashes, current members and guests were invited to don their black attire with dashes of yellow for the special event held at Ashton and Lea Golf Club.

President Ellen Nuthall organise this year’s eventto celebrate the milestone anniversary of the formation of the group in 1928.

The afternoon tea was attended by Federation chairman Jackie Hobson and the vice-chairmen Ann Phythian and Heather Williams.

Ingol WI celebrate their 90th birthday by having a Presidents Lunch at Ashton & Lea Golf Club. Pictured clockwise from top left are Susan Milner, Joan Parkinson, Agnes Finley, Lynda Rayfield, Sandra Osgood, Sheila Mugridge, Ann Miller and Joan Nelson.

Ellen said: “The President’s Lunch started 90 years ago with ladies meeting together from other WIs to have a communal lunch and the ladies were asked to wear a black dress and yellow sash so it was fantastic to see all the ladies dressed that way.

“Currently coming to the end of my third term as president, it has been wonderful to spend time with so many inspiring women of all ages, I have learnt a great deal from them all.

“As a younger member I worried about being accepted and could not have been more wrong, bringing some new ideas and social activities while sticking to the over 100 year ethos of the Womens Institute.

Members from neighbouring Lund, Lea and Westby WIs also attended the get-together.

Ingol WI celebrate their 90th birthday by having a Presidents Lunch at Ashton & Lea Golf Club. Pictured clockwise from top left are Heather Williams, Ellen Nuttall, Jackie Hobson, Margaret Such and Ann Phythian.

The first meeting of the Ingol WI was held at St Margaret’s Mission Ingol, on Wednesday, November 14, 1928, to consider the advisability of forming a WI.

Founder Mrs J C Barnes canvassed locals for the group and was elected as president. Mrs Myres was made the temporary secretary and the speaker for the evening was Miss L Cartmell VCO.

A total of 56 members were enrolled and a committee of 12 was formed.

Today the group meet on the second Wednesday of each month at St Margarets Church Hall Ingol at 7pm.

Ellen added: “We enjoy a varied programme of speakers and have a great social calendar, eating out, coach trips, garden visits, theatre nights and more.”