A WOMEN’S Institute, which has been running for more than 90 years, has closed its doors for the last time.

A mixture of emotions filled the last ever meeting of Wild Hill WI as the club, which was formed around 1919, was forced to close as no-one is able to take on vital committee roles.

Penny Love, press liaison at the Little Heath-based group, told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “With membership numbers decreasing over the last few years, for many reasons, members reluctantly had to admit that Wild Hill had run its course and WI adviser Jean Curl had the sad duty of ‘doing the honours’ of suspending the institute at the annual meeting in November.”

The last convention was both a “happy and sad” occasion with the speaker giving a brief history of pantomime, as well as offerings of handmade Christmas cards on show and the results of this year’s competition winners.

Each member also received a wrapped present, as well as the usual cup of tea.

Penny added the reason for closure was because no was “willing or able to” take on the roles of president, treasurer and secretary. However, 50 per cent of the members have found a new club to join.

“I hope it’s not completely the end,” she said.

“When institutions are closed, they are actually suspended for three years.

“Hopefully, at some time in the future, a new Wild Hill WI will be opened but in the meantime many of the current members will transfer to other institutes in the area and look forward being able to continue to enjoy the friendship and interest they have always had at Wild Hill.”