The dedication of four long-serving members of the Women’s Institute (WI) has been recognised as the organisation emerges from the pandemic.

Upper Clatford WI awarded six of its members long service certificates, with times ranging from 25 to 55 years. The certificates were presented to the members in the WI’s first meeting back in person, meeting for a garden ceremony as restrictions ease.

“They’re over the moon,” said Liz Male, the Vice President. “We thought such massive achievements needed to be recognised, and we’re really pleased with how it turned out.”

Upper Clatford WI was formed in 1918, and has expanded from being a village-focused group into one with members from across the wider area beyond the parish. Many of its members have been with the group for decades, and following a chance discovery, the WI decided to celebrate its longest serving members.

“It was my idea,” Liz said. “My sister is president of a Warwickshire WI and she found the certificates there, and I thought that we had ladies who might get similar awards. So we found the certificates, printed them and got them signed by the national chair before handing them out.”

One member, Sylvia, has achieved 55 years service as she approaches her 90th birthday, while another achieved 50 years, of which 38 were in Upper Clatford and another 12 in Kent before she transferred.

The awards were given out in the garden of member Linda Gent on July 21, with members meeting for the first time in person following Covid. Val, Betty, Mavis and Cynthia received their certificates on the day, while Sue and Sylvia, who were unable to make it to the meeting, will receive theirs another time.

“They didn’t know anything about it,” said Maureen Dyson, the WI Secretary. “It was a lovely evening with nibbles, quiz and prosecco.”

The long service certificates reflect the many years these members have spent in the WI, and for many years, offering activities and social outings that nowhere else did at the time.

“Years ago, it was the only outlet for stay-at-home mums to meet ladies from all varieties of life,” Liz said. “So we ensure we ran educational talks, funny ones, and everything in between.”

The group were hit by the pandemic, with Covid limiting their ability to fundraise with events. However, the group took lockdown in their stride, being early adopters of online meetings.

“We were determined not to be beaten by Covid,” Maureen said. “We held an online meeting every month without fail since May 2020, and we welcomed seven new members as well.”

Events during Covid included a Valentine’s Day event with paper flowers, chocolate and prosecco, a cream tea delivery, as well as social calls to check in on all members.

“We organised a rota to speak to everyone in the pandemic,” Maureen said. “Some ladies are widows so we gave them a friendly call, and they were very pleased to get them.”

“It was never a five minute call,” Liz added, “it was always best to allow a morning! It was an opportunity to listen and see whether people needed a visit.”

Now restrictions are easing, the group is planning to restart some of its groups which had been curtailed, such as its drama group. It also plans its first meeting back in the village hall this month, with a speaker from the RNLI set to come and talk to members, ahead of further plans for the rest of the year.