Women on an Oxford estate have been invited to join a new Women’s Institute group as the organisation celebrates its 90th birthday in Oxfordshire.

The WI — traditionally known for making jam and singing Jerusalem — plans to create a new branch in Blackbird Leys.

If successful, the new group would cover both Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys and join more than 150 branches in Oxfordshire.

The Oxfordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes, which is celebrating its 90th birthday, now has more than 4,500 members.

New groups are springing up across the county each year, with many recruiting women in their 20s and 30s.

WI adviser Barbara Gray said: “Anything that helps women get together and socialise and have an enjoyable time is a good idea.

“People who join can widen their horizons in all sorts of directions.”

Mrs Gray, who lives in North Oxford and has been a WI member since 1964, said the plan to create a group on the Leys had begun when two women from the estate became interested in a WI promotional stand at the Town Hall last year.

She said: “If you get an approach, it is much easier to set up than going in cold, because we hope they will bring friends.

“There are all sorts of benefits of being in the WI. You are a member of the largest women’s group in the country.

“We run all sorts of events to suit everyone’s needs. Some people like going on trips, some people like cooking and some people like campaigning.

“You can make your WI group what you want. Really there is no strong pattern — the best sort of WI group is one with a good age range.”

Helen Fraser, a 33-year-old working mother-of-two who led a pilot group for the WI’s national campaign, Love Food Hate Waste.said: “The WI isn’t stuck in time. People can start their own groups and follow their own formats while knowing they are bonded with a huge and successful organisation.

“I believe it will still be around when my one-year-old daughter is old enough to join and will be just as relevant."

Lindsay Lee, 27, from Blackbird Leys, said: “There is nothing like it on the estate for women to get together. There is no focal point like it at all.

“I think it will be nice for younger people to get involved. I have a little one and it would be nice for young people with little ones to get involved as well.”

WI members pay a £29 annual subscription, which covers the cost of monthly meetings. The first three months are free.

To find out more about the Blackbird Leys WI Group, call Mrs Gray on 01865 514 239, or pop along to the first meeting at the Clockhouse, Greater Leys, from 7pm to 9pm on Monday, March 2.

A celebration of the WI’s 90th anniversary, due to be held at Christ Church Cathedral today, was cancelled because of the weather. A new date has not yet been fixed.