NEWCHURCH held its centennial celebration on September 9 at Newchurch Parish Hall.

Most of the evening was a celebration supper with a Lancashire hotpot from McDee’s of Culcheth followed by trifles made by committee members.

The Lancashire theme was important as Culcheth was part of Lancashire in 1915 when the first Women’s Institute in Britain was set up in Anglesey and when Newchurch WI itself was founded in 1959, Culcheth was still in Lancashire.

President Doreen Procter had worked out a beautiful table plan in turquoise, white and gold and secretary Jean Riley had the green stage curtains decorated with Newchurch’s institute banner and bunting.

Before the meal, members sang Jerusalem and toasted HM the Queen as it was a special day for her also.

Newchurch’s ‘birthday girls’ were given their cards and Doreen reminded members of the Mosslands Group meeting in October and the photo competition in November.

After a delicious supper the Wigan Ukulele Club began a wonderful and hilarious mixture of songs.

Their lady percussionist did some amazing quick costume changes – a 1920s flapper, a Red Indian squaw and even King Louie from the Jungle Book.

When the club finally stopped for breath Eileen Griffith gave the vote of thanks and there was a ‘lucky dip’. Members helped clear up and Neville climbed the high ladder to take down the banner and bunting.

The next meeting is on October 14 at 7.30pm when June Corner will give a talk on ‘Naughty but Nice’.

The October competition will be ‘A Pair of Naughty Knickers’.