MEMBERS of the Wallingford Women's Institute are appealing for help to uncover the lost history of their group's banner as the county gets ready for centenary celebrations.

This year the Oxfordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes turns a hundred and branches across the county have been asked to share the stories behind the banners that are used by each group for special occasions.

But despite having an historic banner which has at its centre an intricate image of the town painted on silk, Wallingford WI members have no idea who made it or when.

This is because the current WI was restarted in 2012 after spending 11 years disbanded.

President Carole Wilsher said the history of the group had been lost through this in combination with boundary changes in the 1960s and 70s.

She explained: "We used to be part of the Berkshire federation so I imagine when we changed over to Oxfordshire a lot of our records went then.

"Some groups have their meeting minutes going back decades but we don't even know when we were originally founded."

Nationally, the WI was formed in 1915 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.

The WI celebrated its centenary in 2015 and currently has almost 220,000 members in approximately 6,300 WIs.

In Oxfordshire, there are around 4,900 members spread across 141 WIs.

Mrs Wilsher said: "It's such a shame that we know we have all this history, as the banner looks to be from the 20s or 30s, but no idea what it is.

"The banner is beautiful and clearly professionally made but it is only good luck that it was preserved by Wallingford museum during the years we were disbanded."

The banner is now reserved for special occasions by the group, and it takes pride of place when other WI's visit.

It also made an appearance when a ceremony was held at Christ Church, Oxford in 2015 for the national anniversary.

Mrs Wilsher admitted she is worried much of the history has been lost forever but added: "I have this hope that somewhere hidden under someone's bed is our full archives."

To get in touch with information call 01491 835 265 or visit wallingfordwi.co.uk