Ludlow WI was formed in 1984.  A few of the founding members are still with the Institute.  At its peak membership reached 80, but has now settled at around 60.

2004 was our 20th Birthday year, for which we were lucky enough to have a splendid line-up of speakers, including Brian Viner of The Independent, and Kate Adie.  Most of our past Presidents attended the Birthday Party, along with special guests, and Bettine Howes decorated a splendid birthday cake.

In 2006 we were very proud to have a resolution that we had put forward debated at the National AGM at Cardiff.  The resolution urged the government to prevent the loss of playing fields to development, and to encourage sport for a healthy population.  Liz Woodall, who had drafted the original proposal (which had been suggested by her husband), steered the resolution through its procedure within Shropshire and then spoke on it at the AGM.  Shropshire had never before had a resolution put forward to National.

The following year, 2007, saw Ludlow coming to the attention of National for very different reasons.  That year there was a good deal of unrest within the WI nationally about proposals to change the terms of membership.  Unfortunately, there was a lack of consultation by National, which prompted Ludlow to invoke constitutional measures to ensure that there was at least a full debate on the subject within the Shropshire Federation. 

2008 

The highlights of this year were undoubtedly the two fashion shows which we organised with Marks & Spencer.  The first one, on Valentine's Day, featured Spring and Summer clothing, and we provided a buffet lunch which included a range of fabulous puddings.  Autumn and Winter fashions were shown at the end of the Summer, in conjunction with a Ritzy Tea.

Our open meeting featured an amazing and charismatic speaker, Dr. Paul Whittaker, who is a deaf musician.  Indeed, he has set up the Music for the Deaf foundation to help deaf children into music, and a couple of weeks after he spoke to us he was receiving his OBE at Buckingham Palace.

September saw four members, Barbara Edwards, Barbara Bulgin, Barbara Bergstrand and Liz Woodall set off to spend the day at Denman College for its Diamond Jubilee celebrations.  These were superb, with amazing flower displays, a craft fair, fashion show, musical entertainments, country dancing, and the newly-opened buildings to admire. 

2009

Our Silver Jubilee year - please see the separate report on the year's activities.