100 years of Women’s Institute celebrated at Saddleworth branch’s glittering ball

A GLITTERING ball marked 100 years of the Women’s Institute as the Saddleworth Branch celebrated in style.

Around 160 guests dressed up to the nines for the evening at the Saddleworth Hotel, which raised £1,120 for charity.

Guests took their places at tables named after WI campaigns, such as free school dinners and breast feeding, to enjoy a delicious three-course dinner before dancing the night away to entertainment from Beetles celebration band The Threetles.

Trish Leigh, vice-president of the Saddleworth WI, said: “Thank you to everyone who supported us and to local businesses for their very generous raffle prize donations.

“We would also like to thank the Saddleworth Hotel and fantastic staff for their continued and much appreciated support.”

Recently, the WI raised more money for charity as the Handicraft and Cake group made £152 for the British Legion from the sale of their hand knitted poppies.

Next up for the WI is their popular evening Christmas Fair at the Saddleworth Hotel on Wednesday, November 18 from 7pm.

Visitors can kick-start their Christmas shopping early and choose from a huge variety of gifts and decorations from more than 40 stalls over two floors. Entry is £2.50 and includes a glass of mulled wine.

Then members and non-members are invited to their Christmas party on Wednesday, December 2 with a surprise performance and entertainment by their Singing Group.

And they will round off the year with a visit to the Country Living Fair in Harrogate on Saturday, December 5.

The Saddleworth WI meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 8pm at the Saddleworth Hotel. New members and guests are always welcome. Donation of 50p per member and £2.50 for non-members per meeting. Their popular sub-groups meet regularly and include a Food and Drink group; Cinema and Theatre Group; Book club; Singing Group and a Walking group.

For details of events, activities, sub-groups and monthly speakers visit their website www.saddleworthwi.com or Facebook page.