Last week the baton was handed off from the East Suffolk Federation to the Essex Federation.
Pat Pratley, Essex Federation Chairman, receives the Baton from Jane Collier, Chairman of the East Suffolk Federation, at Cattawade Bridge.
The baton stopped in Chelmsford, where Joanna Starr of New City Girls WI dressed as a town crier and posed with it. We hear there were lots of ladies, lots of cake and lots of Jerusalem.
Before leaving Essex, the baton stopped off for a special guest appearance at Brentwood Lighting Up where it was greeted by members of The Brentwood Belles WI.
Last week the Centenary Baton was passed from the Norfolk Federation to the Suffolk West Federation.
Norfolk Federation Chairman Wendy Adams passes the baton to Suffolk West Federation Chairman Elizabeth Lansman.
Suffolk West has done it in style, transporting the baton by train and amphibious ‘Duck’, as well as by jeep, Rolls Royce, 1913 Ford Model T, 1953 Morris Minor and motorbike!
It has been taken to coffee mornings, afternoon teas and dinners organised by the 62 (soon-to-be 63) individual WI groups in the local federation, where members have also been encouraged to wear costumes representing the decades that have passed since the national federation was established almost 100 years ago.
On Saturday, the baton spent all day on Bury market and today it went on show at Oddfellows Hall in Whiting Street, before being taken for a photo shoot at Bury Magistrates’ Court, the site of Suffolk West’s first meeting almost 95 years ago.
Cllr Robert Everitt, the Mayor of St Edmundsbury, said: “What a lovely event – for 100 years of WI to be celebrated here in Bury is a wonderful thing. The ladies, as usual, have stepped up to the mark and made their presence felt by getting dressed up in some fantastic costumes, and I am feeling decidedly underdressed.”
Federation chairman Elizabeth Lansman said: “We are a vibrant organisation and I think it’s very important we don’t just look back on our history, but that we make sure we have a good, sound organisation to pass on to future generations.”
She added: “We’re an organisation that does lots of things, but this has brought people together from different WIs who perhaps wouldn’t meet up quite so often.”
If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll have seen how other Federations across the country have been celebrating the WI Centenary with the baton. It’s due to come to Cornwall in February of next year, and all sorts of exciting things are planned!
On the 18th, we’ll have the baton in Penwith. You’ll have a chance to go to either a morning event at Land’s End or an afternoon event in Marazion – or both!
You’ll be able to sign up with Alison at our Monday meeting. This is a once in a hundred years opportunity, so don’t miss out!
Norfolk Federation Chairman Wendy Adams receives the baton from Cambridge Federation Chairman Sally KingsmanThe Norfolk cushion proudly displays the baton
In Diss, 93-year-old Hilda Corbitt, who has been a WI member since 1952, received the baton from Norfolk Federation Chairman Wendy Adams.
Diss Mayor Keith Kiddie; Wendy Adams, Norfolk Federation Chairman; WI member Hilda Corbitt; Diss WI President Sue Morgan’ and Diss WI Vice President Suzanne Ferguson.
The baton traveled in style from King’s Lynn to Cromer on the Coasthopper bus!
Last week the Centenary Baton was with the Isle of Ely Federation, where it was greeted by local MP Steve Barclay in Elm and was taken to every WI in Ely.
MP Steve Barclay and some of the Isle of Ely Federation membersThe baton drops in to visit the members of Wardy Hill WI.
The baton has now made its way through the Huntingdon and Peterborough Federation, with a stop at the beautiful Peterborough Cathedral.
Over 160 Federation members were welcomed to the Cathedral by Canon Ian Black, after which they were given a guided tour in groups. After a tea, they then posed for the photo above, which will be included on the memory stick placed inside the baton.
The afternoon at the Cathedral ended with Choral Evensong, during which Jerusalem was sung by the choir and assembled WI members.
The Centenary Baton has recently been in Leicestershire and Rutland.
At Foxton Locks, there were 112 WIs representing the 144 WIs in the Leicestershire & Rutland Federation. WI members made bunting and joined it together along the flight of locks, holding it up between each WI for 300 metres. Some very ingenious bunting was produced with bras and knickers, while others were beautifully embroidered with colourful Institute names.
The Baton’s visit also included a flash mob (!) at the clock tower in Leicester.
Crowlas & Ludgvan WI 