A LONG standing member of Hartlebury WI has been given a unique award to mark her achievement of 55 years with the WI.

Sheila Bishop is a lead Preserves Judge for the WI and is currently in charge of NFWI training for new Judges.

In 1963, encouraged by her mother, Mrs Bishop joined Hartlebury WI. Since then she has been a member of the committee, a past president of Hartlebury WI and served on county committees.

Worcestershire WI Chairman, Sue Stone, presented Mrs Bishop with a distinctive china plate at the tea party which was held to celebrate 100 years of the WI in Worcestershire.

The china plate, which is inscribed with the WI Logo painted by Jenny Bird, a local potter, and was signed by all members of Hartlebury WI.

Marion Inman, the current President of Hartlebury WI, said "Sheila has always inspired and encouraged members."

Mrs Bishop has been married for 62 years, to Tony, a former Shuttle reporter while their daughter Naomi is a television editor and son Chris an award winning magazine editor in South Africa.

Mrs Bishop said "The WI is a wonderful organisation which gives women the opportunity to meet and make friends, have fun and learn many skills. I have not regretted any of my 55 years in the WI."

Her gifts included a bursary for a weekend stay, on a course of her choice, at Denman College in Oxfordshire.

This award, which will be given every other year, is to be named the ‘Sheila Bishop Bursary’.