A VILLAGE Women's Institute has celebrated a milestone.

Morton WI is 60 years old.

And the branch has marked the occasion with a well-attended celebratory event, and its 725th monthly meeting, at East Morton's village institute building.

Past and present members were joined by representatives of other local organisations including Morton in Bloom, the village society, institute and community shop.

Morton WI president Anne Wilson spoke about the branch's close involvement with the community over the years, and she thanked members and local groups that had helped put together the evening's event.

"We were delighted to welcome such a large turnout to celebrate our anniversary and we're grateful to everyone for joining us on what was a very special evening," she says.

In April this year, Morton WI donated and planted a plum tree at the community orchard, and children from the village primary school had painted pebbles to place around its base.

As part of the anniversary celebration, the event's guest of honour Helena Harrington, of the West Yorkshire Federation of WIs, carried out an inauguration ceremony which saw the tree officially handed over to the community.

Following the ceremony, activities continued in the institute. There was a Prosecco toast, refreshments, cakes, a tombola, stalls selling handicrafts, jewellery and produce, and a display outlining some of Morton WI's milestone moments and achievements from across the years.

The branch was officially registered in February, 1963.

There were 60 members, and 13 on the committee.

President was Mrs Winifred Lawrence.

The group has been heavily involved in the community since, and has supported numerous causes with donations and fundraising events.

It has given to a host of organisations, from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, East Morton Primary School and the recreation ground to the institute building and Keighley Talking Newspaper.

And since its formation, the branch has organised teas at the village gala.

Morton WI currently has 24 members, and welcomes new recruits.

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the institute building, from 7.20pm.

There is a £5 charge for non-members, who can attend three meetings as a visitor, but the money is refunded from the annual fee if they choose to join.

Details of meetings can be found at the Crossflatts Tesco Express store, in the window of the institute, on the noticeboard inside the building and at the village green.

For further information, email presidentmortonwi@gmail.com.