In November, exactly 100 years since a handful of Bude women decided to form a Bude Women’s Institute, 80 of their successors, with guests, joined together at the Falcon Hotel in Bude, to eat and celebrate the work of their WI. For 100 years the WI in Bude has inspired women with encouragement, friendship, workshops, outings and fundraising events.
The members arrived to find a corsage for every attendee together with a gift, a slate coaster engraved with a picture of Bude Breakwater and the WI symbol. A group photograph was taken and then everyone tucked in to a delicious meal. After the meal, Bude President, Carol Sparham, proposed the loyal toast to King Charles, and Helen Kestle, County Chair proposed a toast to Bude WI, wishing the members another successful 100 years. Carol then invited Helen to help her cut the celebratory cake. Bude’s own, Cousin Jack, took to the stage with songs and cheery chat.
Bude President Carol Sparham and CFWI Chair Helen Kestle cut the birthday cake
Before everyone departed, Bude President Carol Sparham thanked Cynthia May and her sub-committee for organising such a wonderful event, and a particular thank you was given to Joan Trewin, and her helpers, who created the corsages and the floral table decorations, and lastly but not least, to the Falcon Hotel and their staff for their hard work.