They’ve gone Dutch, cut short a Christmas party because of fading light, and have received royal telegrams.

So there was plenty to recall and rejoice about when members of the Tilford WI recently celebrated their group’s centenary.

There were plenty of candles to blow out on February 12 when around 50 guests and past and present members gathered at Tilford village hall for the group’s 100th birthday.

The event was not an impromptu party as preparations began nearly a year ago while special guests included the mayor of Farnham, councillor Brodie Mauluka and his wife, Caroline, and Ben Cahill-Nicholls, vicar of Tilford.

The event began with the usual formalities with Sue Small opening the meeting and welcoming guests, with apologies from a number of past members unable to attend.

It was clear to see the level of preparation that went into the event as one member compiled an account of various WI events which have taken place in Tilford over the century.

Although she was unable to locate records for the first 16 years of the group’s existence, the results were fascinating with everything from early Christmas parties to Covid being covered an impressive history.

One of the earliest came from late 1942 with a report stating that many members had to leave their winter party to complete jobs before nightfall.

They also answered an appeal to send knitted items and woollen comforts to Dutch children in 1945, and received a telegraph of thanks from the Royal Family in 1951 after Lady Kitson wished the Queen well during her husband’s operation

They also launched a lampshade course in 1954, purchased a new piano for the princely cost of £30 the following year, and wrote to the House of Commons in 1959 in asking their MP to support the banning of flick knives.

They also challenged the village’s cricket club to a match in 1960, welcomed a group of 30 London pensioners for tea in 1989, and joined Facebook in 2018 before Covid moved meetings to Zooms and members celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee.

“In 1996 we also received a letter from the Mayor thanking us for providing tea for those involved with the turf cutting for the new houses in Shepherds Way, Tilford,” heard the audience with photographs of past members and previous events also being displayed.

The biggest surprise came when Cllr Mauluke unveiled a centenary mosaic produced by member, Sarah Coyle, which even features the WI clock and the time 7.25, in a nod to the group’s 1925 founding.

The unveiling was followed by a short prayer by Rev Cahill-Nicholls commemorating the special day in the life of Tilford WI before members and guests tucked into sumptuous tea, cake and fizz courtesy of the committee.

There was also the formal cutting of a beautiful WI Centenary cake with current and past presidents wielding the knife.

And needless to say there was a toast to the Tilford Women’s Institute: Inspiring Women for 100 years. Here’s to their next 100.