THOUSANDS of women in Hampshire will be uniting to celebrate a treasured institute.

With the new year comes a new celebration and for the Women’s Institute (WI) it’s a 100- year anniversary.

It’s a group which has brought the ladies of communities together for the past century, being formed in a time when everyone was desperate for support.

The WI was created in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War.

It has since been dubbed the biggest voluntary organisation for women in the UK.

In Hampshire alone there are 200 groups and 8,500 members dotted across the county – all focusing on a mission to help the community.

To celebrate its centenary, members will be passing a baton across the UK in wacky costumes, unusual modes of transport and singing the praises of their beloved organisation.

The baton left Angelsey on New Year’s Day, which was where the first WI group was formed, and will be passed on to every group in the country for the next month, finishing in Yarmouth on January 20.

The baton will reach Hampshire next week travelling from Alresford and ladies in the county are getting ready for a mass celebration.

Ros Cooper has helped organise the baton relay and said: “I think the WI is an extremely empowering group for women and the baton relay is a chance for every member who wants to, to get involved and celebrate what they are a part of.

“It’s a brilliant group and Hampshire women will be going all out for the event transporting the baton on fun modes of transport like a Harley-Davidson, hippie van and Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery’s staff car from the Second World War.

“It’s a really exciting event and we can’t wait for it to come to Hampshire, so anyone that would like to come and join in or cheer us on, please do.”

To find out all the dates and venues of where the baton will be coming in Hampshire, visit hampshirewi.org.uk.