A Chelsea Pensioner was guest speaker at the Hereford start of a year-long 100th birthday party.

Herefordshire Federation of Womens Institutes celebrate their centenary in 2020, and they have planned a busy year of special events to mark the momentous occasion.

It all kicked off at the annual council meeting at the Three Counties Hotel.

Guests included the Mayoress of Hereford, many past Chairmen of the Federation, as well as neighbouring Federation representatives.

The first speaker was Mr Alisdair Nuall, from the Marine conservation society, who talked about the plastics floating around our oceans and what we can do to help.

But the star of the day was Mr Brian Cummings, MBE, an 87yr old Chelsea Pensioner who gave a light hearted talk about how he came to live in the Chelsea Hospital, his accommodation there and his life with the other pensioners, male and female.

The Federation are organising a trip to the Hospital later in the year for WI members.

Many events are planned for the centenary celebrations, culminating next year with a Garden Party at Lower Hope, Ullingswick.