The Cheshire Federation of the Women's Institute celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

During 2019 the Chairman of the Federation, Jean Harding, came up with the suggestion that all WIs in Cheshire should plant a tree during 2020 as a way of celebrating the anniversary.

Timbersbrook WI, which meets on the second Thursday of the month in St John's Community Hall in Buglawton and currently has a membership of around 60 people, decided that we would not only plant a tree but go one step further and provide a bench for local people to use.

Money was set aside from W.I. funds and the President at the time, Pam Barrow, met up with Buglawton in Bloom supporters and agreed that the best position for the bench and the tree would be on the grassy space in front of the Church House pub.

At around this time the National Federation of the W.I. was focusing on social isolation, particularly among the elderly.

Pam saw an article in a national newspaper about a village that had provided a bench that carried the words Happy To Chat.

Members thought that it would be an excellent idea for Buglawton to have its own Happy to Chat Bench.

Accordingly, the bench is now in place carrying the inscription Timbersbrook WI 2020 The Happy to Chat Bench.

Buglawton in Bloom member Sandra Bainbridge organised the town council to position the bench and make it secure.

It was originally intended that the tree, an Amelanchier which has lovely white flowers and black berries which attract birds, would be planted at the same time and Buglawton in Bloom would plant a garden around it, making a nice feature area for people to sit and hopefully have a chat.

A small planting ceremony was planned but, unfortunately, Coronavirus has got in the way and this will have to be carried out at a more suitable time.

Formed in 1915, the Women's Institute was originally brought to life to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War.

Since then the organisation's aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK.

Timbersbrook W.I. was formed in 1922 and originally met in the Silversprings canteen in Timbersbrook, moving to Buglawton Church Hall in the 1960s.

A speaker is arranged for most meetings and this month we heard from a professional guitarist who had led a most interesting life which included getting arrested in Russia.

Occasionally we have crafting evenings and once a speed dating meeting when members got to know much more about their fellow members.

New members are warmly welcomed to our lively meetings, once the threat from Coronavirus is over.