MEMBERS of the Women’s Institute hope to proudly represent Witney with a brand new banner.

West Witney WI created the banner after going to an Oxfordshire WI event at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, in 2009.

Almost every other club in the county paraded their banner down the centre of the church, except West Witney.

President Sandra Fenton said: “I did not like it because, although we were there, we were not part of the parade.

“That was the reason we wanted to make our own banner.”

The banner was created by six members of the WI and includes many symbols that represent the town.

It features a deer’s head because the group was formed in Deer Park, while many of the other symbols reference Witney’s blanket-making past.

One of the corners includes a representation of Witney Mill and the edge features a blanket patchwork to recall Witney’s blanket.

Mrs Fenton said: “I think it is absolutely fantastic.

“Now we have got a banner we are all very excited and cannot wait to get into all the parades.”

The banner will now be displayed in the Corn Exchange, Market Square, in a specially-made oak cabinet, which was purchased by Witney Town Council.

Witney mayor Harry Eaglestone, who officially unveiled the banner last Wednesday, said it was “excellent.”