Behind the door of 104: Launch of the NFWI-Wales Centenary Craft Exhibition

The WI centenary celebrations in Wales kick-started on Anglesey, the birthplace of the first WI in Britain, at the weekend (16 & 17 May) with the launch of the NFWI-Wales Centenary Craft Exhibition.

During the 2 days, over 1000 WI members gathered at the Bulkeley Hotel in Beaumaris, Anglesey to view the 13 magnificent 5ft x 3ft hand-crafted panels designed and created by members in Wales. Outlining key milestones, achievements and the diverse activities of the WI over its 100 years, the panels bring to life the contribution that the WI has made and the influence it has had on communities and the country.

Each of the 13 federations in Wales had responsibility for depicting a period in the history of the WI and over the last year, WI crafters have been busy designing and creating the panels in collaboration with Mair Stephens, the NFWI-Wales designer. The panels showcase members’ talents at their best and the craft skills were much appreciated by all who visited the exhibition.

3D displays and digital stories capturing the memories, attitudes, feelings and experiences of WI members also formed part of the exhibition.

During the coming months, the exhibition will travelling across the country and will be on display at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwed (20-23 July), the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Meifod (1-8 August), the WI Centennial Fair in Harrogate (3-6 September) and the NFWI-Wales Gala Concert and Annual Wales Conference in St David’s Hall (18 & 19 September).

NFWI-Wales acknowledges its thanks to the panel sponsors – NFWI, NFU Cymru, NFU Mutual, FUW, Abakhan Fabrics, Commercial Christmas of Llanelli, the Ashley Family Foundation and North Wales Newspapers.

Thank you also to members of the Centenary Panel working group for their guidance and support - Ann Jones, Chair of the Federations of Wales; Helen Carey, Adviser and Mair Stephens, Designer.

The 13 craft panels: