In September 1959, the inaugural meeting of the Bicester guild was held at the Methodist Church in Victoria Road.

Founder member Joyce Price said: "I remember it was quite a large hall and there must have been up to 30 people there.

"At that time there was no Women's Institute in the towns and people from the guilds' national federation came along to tell us all about it.

"If you are a little shy, which I was at the time, it got you into things, it really helped a lot of people and gave me a lot of confidence."

The guild's aims include developing new skills, exchanging ideas, discussing topical issues and organising charitable events.

Recently, Bicester's guild held a soup day raising £115 for the Katharine House Hospice near Adderbury and Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.

Talks have been given on a range of subjects, including life in South Africa and keeping birds.

Liz Sheppard, serving chairperson, added: "We have a wide range of talks from the light hearted to the political."

Bicester Townswomen's Guild meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Pop-in Centre in Crown Walk. For more information contact Barbara Mercer on 01869 252637.