MEMBERS of Bramshott Women’s Institute celebrated their last summer party with a sumptuous cream tea, inviting family and friends to the Liphook Church Centre, off Portsmouth Road.

President Sylvia Futcher told The Herald: “Sadly, after 11 years, we have to close the Bramshott WI branch down. This is due to the lack of volunteers who can organise and run the monthly meetings, because everyone is getting older.

“Our last meeting will be in January 2018, but before then we are having a grand Christmas Party in December to thank all our previous and present volunteers.

“It is very sad that we have to close the branch - it has always been a lovely social get-together. We have been on many trips and made visits to historic places over the years and everyone has enjoyed the monthly meetings.”

Sylvia has been president for three years and recalled some of the highlights of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Women’s Institute in 2015, when she and fellow member Rita Warren were invited to represent the branch at the Queen’s Garden Party. Sylvia said: “Despite having to close the Bramshott branch, some of us intend to carry on and are looking for another WI in the area which also meets in the afternoon.

“Unfortunately, the Liphook branch only meets in the evenings and many of our ladies don’t want to go out late, especially in the winter months.”

Bramshott WI currently has 19 members who meet at the Church Centre, off Portsmouth Road, in Liphook, every second Monday of the month between 2pm and 4pm.