A Kelbrook woman has been recognised for 50 years’ service to the Women’s Institute.

Margaret Berry, a member of Salterforth WI, has been awarded a certificate to commemorate her half century with the WI.

Mrs Berry, 78, was honoured by the WI’s Yorkshire North West Federation.

“It was very rewarding to be recognised in this way,” said Mrs Berry, who lives in Colne Road.

Although Mrs Berry has been a member of the Women’s Institute since 1959, she has not been spent all of her 50 years with Salterforth WI.

As she is from Kelbrook, Mrs Berry initially joined Kelbrook WI. But when the institute was eventually disbanded, Mrs Berry and 20 others joined Salterforth, which now has about 40 members. Mrs Berry describes its members as “very friendly”.

Although she admitted that she had taken a bit of a back seat since joining Salterforth, she was very active in a variety of different officer roles at Kelbrook.

She said her fondest memory came when she was president of Kelbrook WI in the early 1970s.

“Over a two-year period there was a nationwide scheme called Plant a Tree in 73 and Plant Some More in 74,” she said.

“During that time, the Earby Urban District Council made a garden area between St Mary’s Church and Kelbrook Beck.

"As president, I was honoured to plant a red oak tree on behalf of Kelbrook WI.

"It is still standing today.”