The bells rang out to greet over 300 WI members and guests as they attended Choral Evensong on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Surrey Federation. Beautiful blue and yellow flower arrangements by WI members graced areas of the Cathedral.

Evensong on Thursday 12th June had been specially arranged to include a celebration for SFWI. Following the Dean's welcome, Chairman Valerie Arnold gave the address reflecting on the past nine decades  and said "We will continue to work together for a better future for our members and the community."
The second lesson was read by former Chairman Pip Davis, and Evensong ended with the singing of "Jerusalem".

At the end of the service about a dozen White Rock Doves were released on the Cathedral green.

 

The 90th AGM on Monday 21st April was subtitled THEN AND NOW and was attended by members from our oldest and newest WIs. 

The speakers during the morning were of special interest to WI members, Taylors Tea a great supporter of the WI movement and supplier of many cups of tea, together with St. James's Place Partnership talking about Inheritance Tax Planning and Sandra Winter National Secretary of Hand Bell Ringers (GB) who talked about the history of this art, before giving a special performance with Kingswood WI hand chime ringers. 

We have had a tremendous start to our special year and a return by our much loved performing arts troupe was so popular that an extra performance was hastily arranged.

Rapturous applause welcomed the return of the troupe who sang a selection of popular  songs and ballads interspersed with special performances from our favourite artistes. Many compliments were heard as the audiences left and the performers were very happy to be back in the limelight again for a short while.

 

We will be holding numerous other special events to celebrate this momentous year, many of which are listed on our Diary Page.

Very special events are planned for June, an Evensong celebration at Guildford Cathedral on 12 June and following this an evening at Wisley RHS Garden on 24 June. This will be entitled "Midsummer Magic" open to everyone interested in WI over the age of 16 and we are convinced it will be exactly what it says. Do come and join us; full details on our Projects and Events pages.

Also this year our visit to Denman College will follow the theme of celebrations under the title "Celebrations Then and Now" it will include classes on craft, photography, preserves, shopping with style, rambling in Betjeman country and dance magic.  This is also the year of Denman's 60th anniversary so a visit by members will be truly memorable.

There is a lot more to come this special year, watch this space!