MEMBERS of Kidderminster's Women's Institute group welcomed the foundation's centenary baton into the town last week.

Starting its journey in Anglesey back in January to mark the organisation's 100th year next year, the baton journeying through England and Wales made its way through the Wyre Forest on Saturday, September 13.

And seven local forest groups, including the Kidderminster WI and Astley WI, had plenty of activities arranged to mark the event.

The baton arrived in Stourport to Pimms, a Victorian tea, celebration cake and entertainment at the Wyre Forest Discovery Centre in three Rolls Royces from the Teme and Tenbury WI group before leaving in a classic car cavalcade to Bewdley's Severn Valley Railway where it boarded a special carriage on board a train to Kidderminster.

Upon arriving in the town's station, the baton was welcomed with Bucks Fizz and refreshments and handed to Gill Lowe, co-ordinator of the oldest WI group in the forest area, Kidderminster, which was formed in 1925, by President of Astley WI Veronica Herridge.

Astley group member Brenda Knott said the celebrations on this stop were well received.

She said: "Everyone enjoyed Bucks Fizz, canapes and cake."

The Kidderminster section of its journey then took the form of being carried along the canal from St Mary’s Ringway to the Lock at Wolverley. The baton was carried by Kidderminster’s Olympic kayak star Lucy Wainwright with her colleague Kate Golder, and accompanied by a group of WI members who walked or cycled along the towpath.

At the end of the journey the baton was handed over to a member of Droitwich WI who then carried it by motorbike to Droitwich for its next stage.

"The baton will continue on its journey to other groups. Forest Group members were proud to take part on this historic memorable occasion. Our thanks to everyone," Mrs Knott added.

The baton arrived in Worcestershire on Tuesday, September 9, and will stay in the county until Tuesday, January 16 next year.