MEMBERS of a Women’s Institute are celebrating their 90th anniversary in true jam and Jerusalem style by serving up recipes for 120 dishes.

Ranging from beetroot chutney and tattie cake to Nan’s toffee and Bessie’s tea loaf, the recipes appear in a book published by St John’s Chapel Women’s Institute, in Weardale, County Durham, to coincide with the anniversary.

They are favourites with WI members past and present.

The book also contains a dedication to past president and long-serving WI member Bunty Hall, who died in June at the age of 92.

“Bunty made a huge contribution to the WI, both in the dale and at county level, and inspired us all,” said current president Jean Proud. “She was our longest-serving member and is sorely missed.”

St John’s Chapel WI has its roots in the lead mining and farming communities of Weardale in the Twenties.

Its first president was the wife of the boss of the Weardale Lead Mining Company, Mr H S Willis. They lived in a mansion in Ireshopeburn, travelling around the dale in a chauffeur-driven limousine.

Mrs Proud, who recently celebrated her 83rd birthday, joined the WI 25 years ago from the now defunct Young Wives’ Club at Wearhead.

“Over the years, we have represented a cross-section of the community,” she said.

Mrs Proud said much of the success of the WI, which has 29 members, was due to “people caring for each other in a close-knit community”.

She said this was reflected in the success the WI had lending its voice to campaigns to retain an ambulance station at St John’s Chapel and helping to ensure the future of Horn Hall community hospital, in Stanhope.

“This anniversary has to be the biggest event ever in our social calendar,” added Mrs Proud. “We regard it as a great achievement.”

That pride was echoed by Cecilia Wharton, chairwoman of Durham County Federation of Women’s Institutes, who was one of the guests at the WI’s party, held at St John’s Chapel Town Hall.

“It’s amazing to witness the dedication that has been shown by the WI in Weardale over the years,” she said.

“They inspire each other working for the best things in life. In this tiny village in Weardale, they have proved the WI is one big family.”

Among other guests were representatives from the four other WIs in Weardale – Frosterley, Stanhope, Westgate and Wolsingham.

􀁧 St John’s Chapel WI’s Our Favourite Recipes book is on sale at outlets in Weardale, WI members or call 01388-517587.