The theme for the 2022 Blaikley Salver Poetry Competition was “Enchanting Pathways”. The entries were all impressive, but our judge chose her top three. The winners are: 1st – Tamsyn Gillie, Mevagissey WI 2nd – Judith Littleford, St Mary’s Isles of Scilly WI 3rd – Jill Pentin, Falmouth WI We would like to share with […]

Eleven members of Crantock WI recently paid a visit to Kresen Kernow, the Cornish archive and library. The group was met by Tamsin Mallett, Kresen Kernow’s Collections and Development Manager. Tamsin explained the background to the new building housing Cornish archive material, some dating back 800 years. The old Records Office located in Truro had […]

Here’s some information for those of you will who will be attending our Annual Council Meeting at the Hall for Cornwall on Wednesday 26 October. Please note that the Hall for Cornwall accepts card payments only in their cafe and bar. So if you’d like a cup of coffee before the meeting or during the […]

The bells were certainly ringing for the members of Pensilva WI when the Pillaton and St Mellion Handbell Ringers came to give the group a wonderful medley of tunes on their handbells. These ranged from My Grandfather’s Clock to Jerusalem to an excerpt from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and many more. Then came the highlight […]

This afternoon, the Cornwall Federation of Women’s Institutes was represented by Chair Helen Kestle and Trustee Penny Picton at the Special Commemorative Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at Truro Cathedral. You can see the full stream of the service here:

In August 2016, I left the Isles of Scilly and travelled to Penzance ready to board the sleeper train for a very special, much anticipated trip to London. Along with my-sister in-law, the Secretary of Catford WI (West Kent), I was going to see a display of the Queen’s wardrobe covering her entire life and […]

Memories of the Coronation in 1953: I was 12 years old in 1953 and my dad bought a 9-inch  black and white TV so that we could watch the Coronation. We were the only family with a TV and so all our neighbours (in Liverpool) were invited to come and watch with us. I remember […]

I saw the Queen when she visited Liskeard in 1956. My parents, sister and I looked on as she arrived, as we stood in an upstairs window of the pub on the Parade, Liskeard. – Jenny Jacock, Downderry and Seaton WI

I was fortunate to be present at the National Trust Anniversary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on one of the hottest days in July 1995. I stood behind one of the ladies who was being presented to Her Majesty so I had a wonderful view of the Queen. Dressed in yellow and carrying a parasol […]

I met the Queen about 25 years ago in Pendennis Castle on her visit to Falmouth. I was presented to her and shook her hand as she asked “And who are you?” The Duke of Edinburgh followed behind laughing and joking with everyone. It was very special and an event to treasure. I didn’t wear […]