Celebrating Federations and WIs 2018 anniversaries

2018 is a year marking significant anniversaries for the WI and for women’s history in Britain. Tomorrow marks 100 years since The Representation of the People Act received royal assent, which granted the vote to women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification.

Three years on from our centenary, 2018 is also 100 years since the WI’s first resolution was passed in October 1918. 

For many WIs and Federations around England, 2018 is also a special year for celebrating anniversaries. Several federations will be marking their centenary year, while many local WIs have also reached their 80th, 90th or 100th year since formation. 

Steeple Aston WI in Oxfordshire Federation

Written by Merrill Bayley, President of Steeple Aston WI

January 2018 meeting, Merrill stands aside whilst Julie H tells members more about the resolutions.  

In March 2018, Steeple Aston WI in Oxfordshire Federation will celebrate its centenary. Based in the small village of Steeple Aston, just north of Oxford, Steeple Aston WI is the oldest extant WI in Oxfordshire.

Towards the end of 1917, Mrs Vincent of Cedar Lodge Steeple Aston, called a meeting of the women in the village and told them of a new society called The Women’s Institute, which had just started in Anglesey North Wales in 1915. Miss L G Worrell took the minutes of the first documented meeting held on 21^st March 1918 and she subsequently became the first President. 

Members dressed up to re-enact Steeple Aston’s first WI meeting at Steeple Aston WI's 70^th birthday 

Having kept minutes diligently over the past 100 years with just a few gaps during WWII, Steeple Aston WI have a large collection of minutes and memory books. Over many years, members have covered these memory books with beautifully embroidered work which inside hold souvenirs and photographs taken at WI events and meetings. 

Steeple Aston WI's banner uses the motif of a cockerel 

Steeple Aston WI has always had the community at the centre of its efforts and achievements. During WWII, members organised the women of the village to make-do and mend and collect vegetables and fruit for picking and preserving. They also knitted scarves and socks for members of the armed forces overseas.

Today Steeple Aston WI continues to undertake various projects within the village. The WI is 36 members strong, with 4 new members joining recently.

A special programme of activities and speakers has been arranged for this milestone year, including a surprise outing for members in June. Its centenary dinner celebration will take place on 13^th March 2018 at the Village Hall. 

Birthday cards for Steeple Aston WI's 75^th Birthday celebrated at Linda Needle’s (President) home

If your WI or federation is celebrating a significant birthday this year, email us with stories and photos at pr@nfwi.org.uk as we would love to share your WI’s history and celebrations.

Keep your eyes peeled this year as we will continue to celebrate women’s suffrage and the many important resolutions that the WI have campaigned on over the past 100 years.