WOMEN’S Institute (WI) members enjoyed a date with the Queen this week when they watched a live stream of the organisation’s centenary celebrations in London.
To mark its one hundredth anniversary, the WI invited the Queen, Princess Anne and Sophie Countess of Wessex, to join 5,000 other members for its annual general meeting at the Royal Albert Hall yesterday (Thursday, June 4).
The meeting was streamed live via the internet and at The Witham in Barnard Castle, WI members from across Teesdale gathered to join in the celebrations.
As well as singing along to the WI’s anthem Jerusalem, the women enjoyed a slice of fruit cake made to the same recipe as the one cut by the Queen, president of Sandringham WI, in London.
Members also enjoyed listening to the speeches by historian and television presenter Lucy Worsley, businesswoman Helena Morrissey and former wheelchair racer and parliamentarian Tanni Grey-Thompson.
Hazel Yeadon, of Boldron WI, said: “It was a great day and wonderful be a part of the national celebrations. We had a few problems with the live stream at first but I don’t think it spoiled anyone’s enjoyment of the event and we all to sang Jerusalem with the Queen.”
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