Truro Cathedral was filled to the rafters with for a service marking the centenary of the Cornwall Federation of Women’s Institutes on Saturday.

The service, which started at 2pm, was preceded by a parade of WI members proudly carrying their banners.

The rain held off as the parade of banners processed from Cathedral Green to High Cross and into the cathedral. The Cornwall Federation of Women’s Institutes banner entered the cathedral last, and was presented to The Very Rev’d Roger Bush, Dean of Truro.

More than 600 members of WIs from throughout Cornwall attended the service, which was led by the Dean of Truro. Special guests at the service included Colonel Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; John Willis, Cornwall High Sheriff; and Cllr Deborah Reeve, Mayor of Redruth. Also in attendance were Julia Roberts; Hon Treasurer of the National Federation of WIs; Jean Sims, Chairman of Avon Federation of WIs; Marilyn Holehouse, Chairman of Dorset Federation of WIs; Jill Rundle, Chairman of Gwent Federation of WIs; Sandra Ford, Chairman of Somerset Federation of WIs; and seven former Chairmen of Cornwall Federation of WIs.

Readings were given by Margaret Johnson, Chairman of Cornwall Federation of WIs; and Pam Selley and Liz Llewellyn-Jones, both members of the Cornwall Federation of WIs Board of Trustees.

The Dean’s address to the congregation included his thoughts about Jerusalem, the WI anthem.

A special reading was given by Julia Roberts, Hon Treasurer of the National Federation of WIs.

CFWI was formed on September 30, 1919 at the old County Hall in Truro.