Yesterday, Truro Cathedral was filled to the rafters with WI members for a service marking our centenary.
The service, which commenced at 2pm, was preceded by a parade of WI members proudly carrying their WIs’ banners. The weather was kind to us as the rain held off while the parade of banners processed from Cathedral Green to High Cross and into the Cathedral. The Cornwall Federation of Women’s Institutes banner entered the Cathedral last, and was presented to The Very Rev’d Roger Bush, Dean of Truro.
Over 600 members of WIs from throughout Cornwall attended the service, which was led by the Dean of Truro. Special guests at the service included Colonel Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; John Willis, Cornwall High Sheriff; and Cllr Deborah Reeve, Mayor of Redruth. Also in attendance were Julia Roberts; Hon Treasurer of the National Federation of WIs; Jean Sims, Chairman of Avon Federation of WIs; Marilyn Holehouse, Chairman of Dorset Federation of WIs; Jill Rundle, Chairman of Gwent Federation of WIs; Sandra Ford, Chairman of Somerset Federation of WIs; and seven former Chairmen of Cornwall Federation of WIs.
Readings were given by Margaret Johnson, Chairman of Cornwall Federation of WIs; and Pam Selley and Liz Llewellyn-Jones, both members of the Cornwall Federation of WIs Board of Trustees.
The Dean’s address to the congregation included his thoughts about ‘Jerusalem’, the WI “anthem”, and its call for justice and a desire to improve our society, both long-standing principles of the WI. Following his address, we all raised our voices and sang a beautifully rousing rendition of ‘Jerusalem’.
A special reading was given by Julia Roberts, Hon Treasurer of the National Federation of WIs. This was ‘A Reflection’, composed by Christine Woolf, a member of St Breward WI. The piece concluded with the inspiring words, “We can look back with pride and joy at the astonishing development of our WI movement in Cornwall, as it flourishes today. This is the last century’s gift to us. It is up to each one of us to take this splendid achievement forward, into the next one hundred years.”
Click here to read a full version of Christine’s ‘Reflection’.
CFWI was formed on 30th September 1919 at the old County Hall in Truro.
Thank you to all our members who came to the Cathedral yesterday and helped to mark this very special day.
Click here to see more photos of the day. Photos by David Chapman
What an inspiring celebration of our Centenary! It was wonderful to see all the banners together and didn’t they look colourful! I thought the service was beautifully planned and it went off so well. Lovely to see so many friends from other WI’s and especially the group from our newest W.I. Sea girls!
Pat Paxton