THE bells rang out to welcome villagers, members and guests to the 50th anniversary service for the Bere Ferrers Women's Institute at St Andrew's Church recently.

The Rev Nick Law welcomed everyone, including chairman of the Devon Federation Linda Carew, WI advisor Carole Maytum and members of the Four Rivers Group.

Hymns were sung, followed by a reading of 'A Time for Everything' by Sue Hodgson and Jean White read the poem 'When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple'.

During the service, Sheila Gay gave a sermon with a theme of feeding, famine, caring, help and support, shared pleasures and networking.

Other readings and poems were given by president Rosemary Bell, Margaret Willmott and Jane Hamlyn.

The service ended with Ann Parsons accompanying the voices of all present, singing 'Jerusalem'.

A brief history of the Bere Ferrers WI was also given, telling of how the group started in 1960 with 40 members, with the postmistress Mrs Nicholson as the first president, and the book '50 Years of Bere Ferrers Women's Institute' was launched on the day, giving a snippet of social history with details of the lives of present members in 1960.

Other golden anniversary celebrations throughout the year have included a Tamar cruise and a return visit to Ambrosia.