The tree was long the symbol of the WI until a rebrand in the 21st century replaced it with the current “Inspiring Women” strapline. Now Mowesi Marshgate WI has brought its own tree into local life, planting a sessile oak sapling at Otterham and St Juliot Hall in a small ceremony just before Christmas.
The tree was applied for and received free from the Forest for Cornwall initiative, which has so far planted 600,000 trees across the Duchy in a bid to help the environment and work against climate change. St Juliot Parish Council and the hall committee then advised on the best place to plant the young oak.
WI members and some husbands arrived at the hall to find the guest of honour, the chairman of St Juliot Parish Council and the hall committee, David Langley, had already dug the hole for the tree! Members will now water and care for the tree until it is mature enough to need no care.