This year, the Grayswood Women's Institute is celebrating its 105th year. To mark the event, they're throwing a birthday bash this Wednesday 10 September from 7.45 at the Grayswood Village Hall. The dress code - dress from any decade since 1920 - has allowed people to be creative with their outfits! 

Established in August 1920, the Grayswood Branch of the WI was set up at a time of great change for women in this country. The Suffragette Movement had just secured the right of women to vote and the country was still very much feeling the impact of the Great War. Records show that the group's first President was a Lady Atkinson-Willes whilst Miss Anne Spread served as Vice President. 

Since then, the group has grown and adapted to changes in society. These days, it has approximately 30 members and welcomes additional guests to any meeting for a small fee of just £7. Whilst the average age of WI attendees nationally is between 50 and 90, Grayswood appeals to a younger audience with members typically ranging from their 30s to their 70s. Of course, all ages are welcome and there is much to interest everyone. It's a real mix of backgrounds and occupations among members too, creating a really diverse and interesting group.

The group meets at 7.45 pm at Grayswood Village Hall on the second Wednesday of the month. Monthly talks and events are extremely varied. Some of the meetings over the last year include a sound bath, talks on climbing Everest, curating the V&A, chocolate tasting, a mince pie competition and oasis free flower arranging....

To give you a flavour of what's coming up over the next few months, they have everything from Petanque & Pimms to a Christmas crafts and supper evening, a talk on the life and works of JMW Turner and a guided walk around Haslemere. Not only that - there is a pilates session for members to try too as well as an evening with an auctioneer. And that's just a fraction of what the next 12 months hold! 

The group would love to hear from you if you'd like to come along and see what the WI is all about. Current President Ailsa Guidi, Vice PresidentTonia Harvey, Secretary Sarah Upstone and Treasurer Rhiannon Kinghall-Were are an extremely friendly bunch. They love hearing the ideas that members have and encourage people to share them via a suggestions box that sits on their welcome desk at meetings. After all, the more input members give, the more that the committee can ensure that this local WI branch reflects what members want to see.

Of course, if you want to get involved more, then there are always additional spaces available on the committee too. For example, at the moment, the role of Sunshine Lady needs filling - this is someone who can provide a friendly greeting on arrival at meetings, welcoming new attendees and making them feel at home.

For those interested in joining a local WI group, or who just want to find out more, there are lots of other local WI branches. They all run independently but coordinate at both area level and nationally. 

Close to Haslemere, there are the following WI groups, all meeting at different times of the day and week, so hopefully for those interested in joining, there will be a suitable group for you.

Grayswood WI

Haslemere WI

Beacon Hill WI

Chiddingfold WI

Brook & Sandhills WI