SOARING interest in Barnt Green Women’s Institute, which was the first group to form in Worcestershire, has led them to officially reform after a 14-year absence.

The group was initially set-up in 1916 by Lady Margesson but disbanded in 2003.

Barnt Green residents Nicola Denning, Jackie Greenhalgh and Julia Walters organised taster sessions last autumn, in what would have been its 100th year, with a view to reforming.

Numbers in the four sessions varied from 40 to 70, leading them to officially reform this year, with a total of 81 women joining their first meeting on needle felting.

Committee member Nicola Denning said: “We spent some months meeting with our WI advisor to get this up and running and we hoped we would get at least 20 members.

“Now 64 women of all ages have become members of the new Barnt Green WI. This has surpassed our expectations.

“They like the great atmosphere, and are already forming new friendships. This is what the committee hoped for. They want to inspire women and to be inspired.”

The WI hope to create offshoot groups such as a book and a craft club.

The group meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of the month in Barnt Green Baptist Church and welcomes new members. Email barntgreenwi@gmail.com for details.