A VISIT from two founder members and a special birthday cake helped Wheatley Women’s Institute celebrate its 60th anniversary.

May Harris and Dorothy Shorter were guests at the diamond jubilee gathering at the Merry Bells in 1979. They are pictured cutting the cake, with the chairman of the county federation, Pat Barratt, and Wheatley president Avril Tull.

Members reflected on their wartime role when they ran canteens, helped evacuees and produced a mammoth 676lbs of plum jam which they sold to help the war effort.

About 50 members attended the celebration, which included a buffet supper and entertainment from the Oxford Operatic Society concert party.