A BATON celebrating 100 years of the Women's Institute reached Monmouth last Thursday evening.

Some seven institutes across Gwent met at Shire Hall and went on a historic walk in and around the town carrying the baton which has been travelling around the UK.

Some of their stops included the Rolls Statue in Agincourt Square, Savoy Theatre, and Monmouth Castle.

The walk finished with a Welsh ploughman's supper at Drybridge House, in Monmouth, where each institute sang songs ranging through the 100 years.

Coordinator for the group, Sue Evans is based at the Hendre Institute, and said: "The Women's Institute headquarters in London produced a 'time capsule' baton and this has been travelling around the UK. It has already travelled around Wales and Gwent is the last county to have it.

"The seven institutes, which included Hendre, Wyesham, Penallt, Llandogo, Llantilio Crossenny, Monmouth Agincourt, and Narth, all had a wonderful time. The baton will now go to Herefordshire and will reach the Albert Hall in London next June."

The history of the Women's Institute originated in Canada and came over to Britain in 1915 in Anglesey, north Wales.

Sue added: "It was set-up so women could get together and swap ideas of how to manage their home, children etc – it has since become an international movement."