A BATON marking the centenary of the WI institute passed through Nottinghamshire this weekend.
Coming from Gunthorpe, the special baton was first passed to the Burton Joyce and Bulcote WI on Saturday morning, to continue to Gedling.
It then headed to Netherfield, Mapperley and Sherwood, finishing at the Nottingham Castle Gate at 1pm.
The baton is in preparation of the great anniversary of the institute next year and is currently travelling around every WI in the National Federation in England and Wales.
It will complete its journey at London's Albert Hall in June of next year.
Serving tea, coffee and bacon butties, the members of the Burton Joyce and Bulcote WI came together in numbers to see the baton pass through.
"This is a great moment in history for the WI. Here at Burton Joyce institute, we're a force to be reckoned with!" said the chairman of the village institute, Gillian Broadbent.
Working alongside Gillian on the board is Lesley Comerie, who has been a member of the institute for just over eight years.
She said it's a great honour to have passed on the centenary celebrations.
"It's going to take the baton a whole year to travel to each WI across the country.
"I enjoy being a member of the WI a lot. I first got into it by tagging along with a friend. Somebody then volunteered me for the committee and I've been here ever since."
There are now 64 members of the Burton Joyce and Bulcote WI who meet on the second Thursday of every month at the Burton Joyce village hall.
Meetings can vary in activity, including crafts, walking and occasional guest speakers.
Taking on the challenge of passing the baton to Gedling on Saturday was the newest member to the Burton Joyce and Bulcote WI, Marita Smith.
Hopping onto the back of her husband Andrew's motorbike, the 48-year-old dutifully transported the symbol to Gedling Memorial Hall.
She said: "I've been a member of the WI for about a year. It's like guides for grown-ups. They're all lovely ladies and it's got a real sense of community.
"I'm taking the baton on the back of my husband's bike, I can't drive it myself! They first asked me if I wanted to run with it but I thought this would be better."
Also in attendance was Marlene Hobson who has been a part of the Burton Joyce and Bulcote WI for over 40 years. She has seen the institute go from strength to strength.
"I've had quite a lot of new members recently and we've started doing a lot of new things.
"We've got a crafts club and a lunch club, as well as a walking club. We walk together once a month. Last year some of us walked to Trent Valley Way and from Upton into Newark".
For more information on the Burton Joyce and Bulcote WI go to www.burtonjoyceandbulcotewi.weebly.com.
