The south Norfolk branches of the Women's Institute welcomed a special centenary baton which is travelling around the country as the organisation prepares to mark its centenary year in 2015.

Members from Diss, Tharston, Scole, Pulham, Old Buckenham, Ditchingham and Tibenham gathered at the Thatchers Needle in Diss where they welcomed the baton which has travelled 380 miles around Norfolk by bus.

93-year-old member Hilda Corbitt, who lives in Diss, was given the honour of receiving the baton, which had travelled from Norwich, from the Norfolk WI federation chairman Wendy Adams.

Mrs Corbitt, who joined the WI in 1952, said: 'My neighbour and I joined and that was it. It's the friendliness of the group. I'm proud to be a member and you make friends with people who aren't just from your branch but all over.'

The Women's Institute was formed in 1915 and now has 166 branches in Norfolk which attracts a diverse range of women from a variety of backgrounds and it is this which appealed to committee member Jo Locke when she joined 18 months ago.

She said: 'It's meeting inspirational women. They've been professionals and had their own businesses and they still have so much to give. It's fun and their energy is phenomenal.

As the 100th anniversary of the Women's Institute nears, the centenary baton is making its way around the country for all 6,600 branches in England and Wales to see.

Starting in Anglesey, the baton was passed to Norfolk from Cambridge and is currently in Suffolk before making its way around the southern regions of England and finishing at London's Royal Albert Hall where the WI's national annual meeting will be held in June 2015.

There was a big turn out for the day with many dressed in outfits, including ladies maids and land girls, to represent women through the WI's 100 years.

Diss mayor Keith Kiddie was also in attendance. He said: 'The Women's Institute is a very important part of our society. It is my pleasure to help support them. 'They do a good job and they I am keen they continue their association with Diss.'

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