Shropshire WI members glued to screens for royal tribute
They weren't in the splendid surrounds of London's Albert Hall – but the Shropshire Women's Institute members who spent the day watching it on the big screen were experiencing the next best thing, writes Shirley Tart.
Even as the movement's historic annual meeting, 100 years after the UK formation, was taking place in London with Her Majesty the Queen as chief guest (long-time WI member, president of Sandringham institute) local ladies who weren't in the capital were at the pictures experiencing the latest WI attraction, live streaming.
And it was almost real time as the Queen, flanked by her daughter the Princess Royal and daughter-in-law the Countess of Wessex, led the tributes to the greatest women's organisation ever formed.
For a cool fiver a ticket, Cineworld in Shrewsbury maybe didn't quite have the Albert Hall cachet but the Women's Institute is fantastic at creating its own ambience. There were also gatherings in Market Drayton and Much Wenlock.
And it worked. Which was more than you could say initially for the sound system, leading to a bit of consternation for national chairman Janice Langley who lost microphone power as she started speaking and asked if there was a man about.
However, Janice kept her cool and all was well. There is something rather endearing about the odd blip on the most special occasion and nobody handles blips better than the WI.
Speaking of her delight at being with them on the big day, Her Majesty told an overflowing Albert Hall: "In the century since you were formed, so much has changed for women on our society, economically and socially.
"Women got the vote, a British woman climbed Everest, we have had the first woman Prime Minister and the WI has been a constant throughout, it has continued to grow and evolve and to demonstrate that it can make a real difference. I congratulate you all."
The Queen also formally received the WI centenary baton to thunderous applause and she pressed the button to chart its journey across all 69 federations over the past 18 months, including a week in Shropshire.
The royal visitors each presented special award cups and there were flowers, including the WI centenary rose. They were given by grand-daughters of proud members.
There were live links during the day to other streaming gatherings – Anglesey, Devon and Cheshire – while the winning Singing for Joy choir performance was a delight. Guest speaker and historian Lucy Worsley, who is curator of the royal palaces, was entertaining and informative with her own look back at the WI history.
Lucy recalled that 2015 is 100 years since women joined the police force.
She said: "Their uniforms came from Harrod's, they weren't allowed truncheons or batons but they could carry umbrellas. So I have this picture of a man with a swag bag being beaten senseless by a policewoman with an umbrella and wearing a Harrod's uniform!"
Spreading interest even wider, the day's other speakers were inspirational Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former wheelchair racer and parliamentarian and Helena Morrissey, chief executive officer of Newton Investment Management.
Treasurer Julia Roberts told members that they face the next 100 years from a secure financial stance, while still ensuring that the WI is affordable for all. And Albert Hall or down the flicks, we all got the message. The WI is in good heart, good spirits and jolly good nick. Happy anniversary!
