DESPITE being almost 100 years old the Lacock Women’s Institute is continuing to thrive.

Founded on September 19, 1919, when Matilda Fox Talbot held the first meeting, the group has gone on to become a central part of the village.

A picture which was taken outside Lacock Abbey on the local group’s 25th birthday in 1944 was also recreated 70 years later to celebrate its 95th birthday.

Meeting every month on the third Wednesday at the Lacock Village Hall, the group takes part in a number of activities and is looking to add to its current numbers.

“Our overall membership is starting to get a bit younger and we have about 29 members,” said secretary of the Lacock WI, Nancy Robertson.

“Last week we had David Dawson from Devizes Museum come in and talk to us about the treasures found in barrows at Stonehenge and we’re going to try and arrange a visit with him there.

“We do craft workshops and we’re going to make poppies this year and a wreath for the war memorial.

“I joined in 2006 after I was invited by my neighbour and absolutely we want people to get involved. It’s a good local group and the chance to meet new people.”

The WI was initially founded in Britain during 1915 and now has 220,000 members in approximately 6,300 WIs.

It was initially set up to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War, but since then has become the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK.