Yesterday, Wednesday 16th September 2015, the 100th anniversary of the WI movement in Britain was celebrated in style by the Peel Belles WI branch, with the help of the Bellringers of St German’s Cathedral.

Members of Peel Belles met outside the Cathedral on Wednesday evening and started off the event with a rousing chorus of ‘Jerusalem’, which has been the WI’s anthem since the early days. Then the Bellringers started their ‘Peal of Bells for Peel Belles’ and the joyful sound of the bells rang out across Peel to mark the Centenary. Afterwards some members were able to have a go at ringing a bell themselves, and everyone enjoyed themselves hugely.

Originally formed in Canada in 1897, the first Women’s Institute meeting in Britain was held in Anglesey, Wales on 16th September 1915. Its aims were to revitalise communities, to educate rural women and to encourage countrywomen to get involved in growing and preserving food to help to increase the supply of food to the war-torn nation. Education and the sharing of skills has always been at the heart of the organisation, and this remains true today.

Since those early days, the organisation’s aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women’s organisation in Britain and currently has 212,000 members in around 6,600 WI branches. The WI today plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities. Recent national campaigns have included ‘Time to talk about Organ Donation’, ‘SOS for honeybees’ and the campaign for more midwives.

But today’s WI is not just about learning and campaigns. They know how to have a good time too! Speakers at meetings cover a wide range of topics, from technology to astronomy; from crafts to ice cream. And whilst the tea and cake is still very popular, you are just as likely to be offered a cocktail!

Peel Belles meets at 7.30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month at the St Patrick’s Church Hall and there is always a warm welcome for new members.