By Isle of Wight Observer
Yarmouth WI celebrated its 20th anniversary with a celebration at the town’s Royal Solent Yacht Club, on Friday.
More than 40 members and guests gathered for afternoon tea, including five original members of the society.
It was formed in 2006, led by president, Amy Willcock, and attracted so many members that it was featured in a BBC documentary and was also in the National WI Life magazine.
Originally based at the George Hotel, Yarmouth, it later moved to its current base at the Yacht Club. In its early days it courted controversy, especially as one of its members was a 1960s glamour model, and the coverage of this ended up in national newspapers.
Since then, Sue Biss, who now is the chairman of the Isle of Wight WI Federation, Irene MacDonald and Trish Benton have served as presidents, successfully building on the organisation’s early success. Yarmouth WI has given the women of West Wight lots of opportunities to take part in focused talks and activities, visit fascinating places on the Island and beyond, and take pleasure from the comradeship found in the WI.
Marion Smith, who has been president for the last two year, said: “Yarmouth’s great strength is down to its members, who over the 20 years have proved to be a very talented, interesting group of women who want to join in, contribute, help out and add to society.”
Sue, who also attended, added: “The Women’s Institute itself was so different then. Amy came in and brought something completely new to us.
“There has been a lot of fun and friendship and it really has been a great 20 years.”
Among the guests were the presidents of Freshwater Bay, Lisa Reed, and Freshwater Central, Ann Steward.