When it was founded 100 years ago, the aim of the Women’s Institute was to revitalise rural communities and to encourage women to get involved in producing food during the First World War.

Although decades later the organisation’s aims have broadened, along with its 208,000-strong membership, the founding principles are unchanged and education and sharing skills is still at the heart of the WI.

FLORRIE Goodwin loves a chat and a fruit scone. Hardly surprising when you consider she has had 60 years to perfect both skills.

At 93, Florrie is probably one of the Women’s Institute’s longest serving and most loyal members.

That became clear not long after I perched next to her in a corner of her living room – the temporary home to a lively hubbub of fellow members.

The women invited me to meet them to reminisce about Alresford’s branch, to coincide with the WI’s national centenary year.

It wasn’t long before I knew who the star of the show was going to be.

First to be brought to my attention was Florrie’s membership card which she was given when she joined the Alresford branch in 1955.

At six shillings and sixpence – 17½p in decimal currency – compared to today’s annual £36 fee, even joining itself was a privilege.

 

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Florrie, a great grandmother of five, said: “You had to be nominated in those days, you didn’t just join. My sister-in-law lived next door and said why don’t you join?”

Florrie felt the WI wasawelcome distraction after the death of her brother from cancer.

She received her WI badge and became accustomed to the words of Jerusalem, played on the piano at each meeting.

Meetings of the newlyformed club were held on the first Thursday of the month and sub-committees were formed to organise key events, such as the flower and handicraft shows.

Demonstrations would include how to use one’s cooker, buying fish and meat and corset making. As its peak, the club had more than 50 members.

As the WI evolved, coffee mornings would take place at members’ homes and it was soon entering a float into the annual village carnival – which, Florrie told me, it won in 1983. Florrie, who spent 14 years as the village’s postwoman, embraced her carnival float role, as Florence from the Magic Roundabout.

She was also keen to take hold of the more serious business, such as being branch president, three times.

Having been widowed for six years, all those memories have not only given Florrie an anecdote or two, but have motivated her to continue to attend meetings, even if her days of cycling are well behind her.

 

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She said: “We have had a wonderful time because we have always been friendly and always care about each other.

“Especially when you are older and on your own, you do need someone to keep in touch with.”

Now with about 27 members, the club still thrives and its activities are varied.

My chat concluded with a rundown of the fashion show members had taken part in and watched at their meeting the night before.

And then second helpings of tea and scones were offered around. What’s not to like about that?