A SUFFRAGETTE CITY – Pilling Lane Women’s Institute Suffragette gala

Penny Drabble, Janette Prior, Marie Marshall, Janet Astley, Chris White, Anne Bewes, Eva Cocker, Anne Ingham and Anita Jackson, behind are Barbara Lancashire, Carol Molyneux, Joan Haworth, Barbara Kay and June Beesely

Although the theme for this year’s Gala was Disney, Pilling Lane Women’s Institute entered the Gala as Suffragettes, which fitted in with the scene from Mary Poppins and the chorus from the Suffragettes. 

Fourteen members dressed up in Edwardian outfits and decorated hats with the green, purple and white colours of the Suffragettes, and very prominently wore ‘Votes for Women’ sashes, three of the ladies are in their eighties, a mean feat for these ladies as the route was over three miles long and took two hours.  As

To the best of their knowledge Pilling Lane WI have never entered the Gala and it was their 84th birthday this year, although they had helped serving teas and more at previous years events.

The WI were absolutely ecstatic to win two 1st prizes and be awarded the new ‘Vivienne Taylor Memorial Cup’, the first prizes were for Best Adult Fancy Dress and Overall Best Adult Fancy Dress, the trophy was for the Overall category, they  could not believe it and were are so proud to have done it.  They can’t stop talking about it! Achieving this has given the WI a real boost, watch this space for next year.

For further information on Pilling Lane WI please contact Gaynor 01253 702980 or e.mail [email protected]