A Women’s Institute branch is celebrating the centenary of the group’s formation.

Some 80 members of Epping WI commemorated the occasion this week with a lunch at Epping Hall and the unveiling of a new banner and community bench.

The group also planted two rose trees in the community garden off Epping High Street to commemorate its first 100 years.

Epping WI president, Paula Christy-Harrold, the 29th in the group’s history, said: "Most of all we offer friendship and fun and a good social life for many women whether young or old.

"It is a great community group and as well as the thousands of cakes and jars of jam and cups of tea, we have made over the years Epping WI has inspired many women to make lasting friendships, and we hope to continue to do so for another 100 years.”

Epping WI was formed in June 1917 and held its first meeting in September of the same year, with its first president being Mrs A Wythes, of Copped Hall.

The group's first talks were on the subject of “parcels for the front during the war”, sugar substitutes and the care of children in winter.

The first competition saw members make a homemade Christmas gift, with the cost not to exceed six pennies.

Membership fees were discussed at the first meeting - with a suggestion that two pennies a month should be paid.

It was also agreed, by a majority vote, that members could take their children to meetings, and they would be cared for in another room. Girls could join over the age of 14.

Epping WI has also played a significant part in the history of the Women's Institute.

Its then-vice president, Mrs Trennow, put forward the organisation’s first national resolution, regarding the provision of a sufficient supply of convenient and sanitary houses, in October 1918.

Today the group continues to thrive and has a waiting list of more than 20.

It welcomes speakers to its monthly meetings, offers bursaries for members to learn new talents and also takes part in the Christmas Tree Festival at St John's Church.