ON WEDNESDAY of last week many Women’s Institutes in the district held their own local celebrations of the coming of age of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.

Last Monday, the Cirencester Women’s Institute – prouder than most – for it was in existence before the establishment of the National Federation – celebrated its own coming of age.

The chairman welcomed Mrs Nugent Harris formerly a member of the National Federation and a guest of honour.

Mrs Harris said “In Cirencester they call themselves country women. Townspeople undoubtedly thought that country people were dull of mind and dowdy of dress. But that was not true.

You must always as an institute learn all you can about the state of agriculture in your own county and country. It is very important that we as women should understand that. I think there is one great bond between country folk of all kinds and that is the love of the land. I am quite sure there is not one institute member here who has not the same love for the land as I have.

Countess Bathurst in her talk said that young people today did not know how to use their hands. They had always got to be 'gadding about' whereas if they did a bit of work with their hands they would have a little quiet and repose and time to think things out.

In this direction she knew the Women’s Institute did an immense amount of good. It gave women a healthy, wholesome occupation the sort of thing which made life pleasant in every way.

Thanks largely to the energy and initiative of Miss Grace Hadow then a resident of Cirencester, who was quick to see the advantage to the country of this new war time movement, the Cirencester Women’s Institute was early in the field.

In was inaugurated at a public meeting held in June 1916 in the Apsley Hall, now occupied as the x-ray and electrical department at Cirencester Memorial Hospital. And in view of the statement made by the chief speaker at Monday’s celebration that every Institute should first be interested in agriculture – it is interesting to recall that this meeting was arranged by the Agricultural War Committee Women’s Sub-Committee.

The first meeting was held at the Bingham Library on Monday, July 10, 1916. At that meeting demonstrations and exhibits of fruit bottling were very effective and highly appreciated as also were the economical menus given by members. A little music and refreshment relieved the more serious side of the gathering at which 70 members were enrolled.

In April 1917 Miss Hadow resigned and Countess Bathurst succeeded her as president occupying that position until the end of 1919 when she was succeeded by the late Mrs Scotford Harmer.

The coming of age celebrations were marked by a tea and pageant in the beautiful grounds of Cirencester Park by kind invitation of Countess Bathurst. It was attended by about 200 members and among the company were a number of members of the Sapperton WI.

The celebration concluded with the presentation of an Empire pageant play Britain Awake given by members of the institute. To this the public were invited and a large number attended.

The many very fine dresses were designed and made by Mrs Peyman and Miss Benney.

The characters were: Patriotism, Mrs Williams; Britannia, Miss Woodbridge; Wisdom, Miss Poole; Fear, Miss C Crook; Motherhood, Mrs Parr; Housewives, Mrs Goulding, Mrs Weaver, Mrs White and Miss D Matthews.

July 31, 1937