THE Women’s Institute has been a long-standing part of Cumbria’s community, and British society, with decades worth of events, fundraisers, and local efforts.

First formed in 1915, the organisation celebrated its 100th birthday in 2015.

The WI movement started in Britain during the First World War as a way of encouraging women to grow, make and preserve their own food to help increase the supply of food in the country.

Locally, there are several WI groups, including Barrow, Rampside, Ireleth with Askam, Urswick, Scales, Kirkby, Thwaites and Silecroft.

The first WI branch was formed in September 1915 in Anglesey, North Wales. Since then, the number of branches has exploded, with groups set up across the country, most of them firmly linked with rural communities.

There are now more than 200,000 WI members in more than 7,000 branches.

As part of their 100th year celebration, members of the Barrow WI were treated to a unique look around Furness Abbey.

The former monastery itself dates back to 1123.

Fifty members were given a tour of the ruins by local author and chair of Furness Abbey Fellowship, Gill Jepson.

The day was topped off with a rendition of the WI's anthem, Jerusalem, during the tour.

A yearly occurrence for the institute is the Lindal Women’s Institute’s flower and vegetable show at the Buccleuch Hall.

The show originally started in 1949 as the Lindal and Marton Show but was forced to stop after running into problems with a lack of support before being revived by the WI in 1978.

In 1990, a newcomer to the village claimed a trio of prizes, with Mary Barton’s hard work in transforming her garden in 15 months attracting praised.

The show received a new record for entries in 1991, when almost 400 took part.