The many occasions in the past when people of Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood had good cause to be in high spirits are depicted in ‘Celebrations’, the latest three-week exhibition being staged by Cowes Heritage.
Held at Regatta House, Bath Road in Cowes, the event includes past memorable milestones of the four local Women’s Institutes in the area. And as this is the centenary year of the very first WI in the country, the official opening was performed at a preview evening last week by Sue Biss, vice chairman of the Island’s Federation of Women’s Institutes.
Introducing Sue, Maureen Groves, wife of Cowes Heritage chairman John Groves, said Cowes Heritage members decided on the ‘Celebrations’ theme for the exhibition after she and John attended a Christmas trees of goodwill event at Birmingham Road Methodist Church and saw a golden tree from Gurnard WI to mark their 50th anniversary.
Sue Bliss told fellow guests she was fascinated by the variety of subjects covered:
“So much hard work has gone into this, and I hope everybody who comes enjoys the experience as much as I have.”
Other subjects covered in the displays include special events involving the Royal Yacht Squadron, street parties, royal visits, football triumphs, Northwood and Solent Middle schools and boat launchings. The WI display showed that the oldest of the branches in the area was Northwood WI, founded in 1926, and which since 1931 has had its own hall.
The exhibition, the 14th staged by Cowes Heritage, is open daily between 10:00-16:00 from Saturday 17th October to Sunday 8th November. Admission is free.
Photographed L-R: Maureen Groves, Sue Bliss and John Groves
