A WOMEN’S group in Cantley that has been running for more than 70 years is facing the prospect of closure unless it can find a new president.

First set up in 1939, the Cantley & District Women’s Institute is set to be stopped as of January unless it can find someone to fill the role.

And now the call is going out for someone to step up to the position alongside an appeal for new members as current president Eleanor Alison steps down after nearly 18 years.

Connie Burgess, 76, is secretary for the group, and first joined a quarter of a century ago when she moved to the area.

Mrs Burgess said that prospect of closure for the Women’s Institute (WI)- which will technically be suspended for three years- had left her “sad and upset.”

She said that the group had been hit by declining numbers in the last couple of years that had seen membership drop from 30 down to 15, and added that no current members were willing to take on the position, forcing the closure.

“I would say come and give us a try. You’re welcome to try us for three months for no charge, and we are a young-hearted group who are very friendly,” she said.

“We have a birthday party every year where we invite the surrounding Women’s Institutes to join us and they all compete to come along because we have so much fun.”

The group meets at Cantley Village Hall on the third Wednesday of every month, and also runs a number of clubs for things including theatre and Scrabble as well as going out on trips around the region.

The role of president is one that would mean overseeing the activities of the WI, with much of the work shared with the others in the group, including the secretary.

Unless someone steps forward, the group will have its last meeting on Wednesday, January 11 at the village hall.

Mrs Burgess, who emphasised that the group was for women of all ages, added: “We’ve not given up yet, and it’s not too late – there is still a chance to save the group.”

To find out more, contact Connie Burgess on 01493700452.