DUNHAM Massey Women’s Institute celebrated this year’s national centenary by planting seasonal flowers around the Dunham Massey sign post.

Last year, their own 95th birthday, was a far bigger celebration. With help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, a film called the Wild Indians of Dunham Massey was made about their branch.

It featured the stories of individual members.

Janice Bushell, from Widgeon Road, Broadheath, who, joined in 1963, shared memories from the film, and more.

She’ll never forget her first meeting: “A lady played classical music on the gramophone, and I was bored.

“To cap it all, I gave the vote of thanks!”

“When I first went, everyone wore a hat.

“Even in 1975 at the diamond jubilee meeting at the Royal Albert Hall, they were still wearing hats.”

Janice still treasures the menu from the subsequent dinner held at the Café Royal, signed by the 14 delegates at her table.

In 1976, just like the founding president, the Countess of Stamford, Janice, took on the prestigious post herself.

It was a momentous year because it was the year Lord Stamford died.

The WI were asked to help clear Dunham Hall.

“Copies of the Yorkshire Post going back years filled his study. When I opened a wardrobe, all his mother’s clothes fell out.”

Dunham Massey WI doesn’t sit on its laurels. It has started a Friday book club in the Tesco community room, Altrincham as well as a card making group.

“I like the companionship, said Janice.

“Most of the chatter goes on during the washing up rota.”

And they still make jam and sing Jerusalem.

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