PICKERING Women’s Institute has joined the national celebrations to mark the centenary year of the National Federation. A display of old photographs and memorabilia has gone on display at the town’s Beck Isle Museum and two members, Amy Allen and Alison Holmes, attended a special garden party event hosted by the Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace.

Pickering WI was formed in 1924 and the programme for 1933 is the earliest record, when the subscription was two shillings (10p) per member.

Secretary Susan Harlow said meetings were either demonstrations on cooking/crafting and lectures followed by either games, community singing or co-operative supper.

“There must have been a healthy membership judging by the number of ladies on the committee and sub committees,” she said.

“In 1937, there were 117 members with 29 going to London to see the coronation decorations.”

During the war years, egg collections were made and sent to local hospitals, clothing and food was collected for Spanish children, comforts were knitted for local men serving in the forces, evacuees in the town were welcomed to meetings, a plot of ground was taken over to grow vegetables and the fruit preservation centre formed with canning machine being purchased.

Each month collections were made for the Red Cross and PoWs and meetings continued as normal.

Susan said: “The drama and music group were very active entering competitions and doing well with the choir in 1950 qualifying to represent the North East region at the national singing festival in the Albert Hall. The groups also entertained in the social half hour after the meeting.

“In 1951, membership stood at 135. This has gradually declined, but Pickering WI is still very active with monthly meetings and taking part in walks, darts, quizzes.”

Pickering WI meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the Beckett Room at the Memorial Hall, Potter Hill, Pickering.

Phone Susan on 01751 476506.