UPTON BISHOP has just been named as Herefordshire Women’s Institute of the year.

Upton Bishop Women’s Institute have just been honoured with this accolade in its 105th anniversary year - the oldest branch of the WI in Herefordshire.

It is not just about jam and Jerusalem or posing naked for a calendar like the women of Rylstone did that became the inspiration for the film the ‘Calendar Girls’.

Upton Bishop WI, which now meets at the Community Hub at St Mary’s Garden Village is part of the largest women’s organisation in the country that offer endless opportunities to make friends and to make a difference to your life and to your community.

The WI now has a forward-thinking structure and attitude, is full of interesting people and has a huge variety of opportunities for learning, entertainment and self-development.

Upton Bishop WI were nominated as they had a busy programme of events that included the Clean Rivers campaign that made waves for clean rivers, holding awareness stunts and undertaking craftivism and citizen science.

The group were also involved in metal detecting, competitions and playing host to an international best-selling author, an antiques expert and Guide Dogs.

Frances Lawford, president of Upton Bishop WI said that they had welcomed new members at the new venue and added that the members still make terrific jam and cakes and will have a go at any craft challenge that is sent their way.

The women celebrated Upon Bishop WI 105th anniversary in the summer, where people met each other again after many years, enjoyed seeing their younger selves in the photographs, listened to history talks, did quizes, and reminisced about ‘the good old days’ and made future WI plans.

Upton Bishop would like to thank the members of the local community who supported the event.

The next meeting on Tuesday, November 12, Upton Bishop WI will be hearing from Dr David Marshall about his work on "Apples and People" as the county grows more apples than anywhere else in the UK and plays an important part in the global story of the apple. There will also be a cooking competition for dishes containing apples.