GAZETTE & HERALD: East Tytherton Women's Institute celebrated its 80th anniversary with a party last week.

A group of 20 members and their guests gathered in the village hall for a meal and commemorative cake.

The WI started in 1923 when the village hall was built. In the 1950s the group had 40 members but numbers have fallen by half over the years.

President Maureen Holder said the group still had a good time and attracted members aged from 16 to 70 years.

"We only lose members when people move away now. All the others stay with the group," she said.

The WI meets once a month and holds parties, cake sales and barbecues as well as going on regular trips.

"We have a belly dancer coming soon to show us how it's done and once a group went to see the Chippendales in Swindon. We do have a good time," said Mrs Holder.

She said the group had moved on from the early Jam and Jerusalem days.

"It has changed quite a lot. The younger ones tend to get together and they don't take it so seriously.

"It's just a nice atmosphere. I think it is a really nice group to be part of," she said.

At the party the oldest member Joan Archer said grace and helped cut the cake. The women also toasted the Queen because the celebration coincided with her birthday.

Mrs Holder read a poem written by a WI member in 1972. The chairman of the Wiltshire WI and the president of the White Horse WI also attended.