A SOUTH Lakeland woman has been commended after more than seven decades of involvement with her local Women’s Institute.

Dorothy Hornby, 89, who lives at Milnthorpe, first started going to the meetings with her mother as a little girl.

“The members were not too fond of it at the time, they didn’t like little ones," she said. “Things have changed during my times. It's much friendlier now than it used to be.”

Aged 18, she joined the Preston Patrick Women’s Institute, and later became involved with the Milnthorpe WI, holding roles from the press correspondent to president.

“The only role I have never held was a treasurer. I’m not very good with money I’m afraid,” she said.

Mrs Hornby, who worked in a shoe shop in Milnthorpe, became heavily involved with the drama activities of the WI, writing half a dozen plays for fellow members to perform.

The Women's Institute, the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK, was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during WWI.

Despite suffering from arthritis, Mrs Hornby still takes part in the monthly meetings of the Heversham-Milnthorpe WI.

“I am no longer a committee member, but I want to be involved with the WI for as long as I possibly can," she said.

“I just really like the WI. I have made many great friends over the years,”

Joyce Hayton, secretary of the Heversham-Milnthorpe WI, said: “Mrs Hornby is a very good member, coming to the meetings whenever she can. The fact that she has been involved for such a long time is highly commendable.”