AN “absolutely fabulous” branch of the Women’s Institute is set to launch in Ferndown tonight.

Glamorous ladies of Ferndown are set to relaunch the town’s branch with a dash of style and fun, said pres-ident Jacqueline Moss.

“We’d like it to be more champagne and canapés than jam and Jerusalem. But everything has its place, and we hope there will be something for everyone,” she said. The branch hopes to attract women of all ages, and has already secured the services of 28-year-old Leah Smith as vice president.

“Jacqui told me she’d had a brilliant idea. I’m very community minded, and the WI is known for doing good work and has a lot of clout,” said Leah.

Women would be able to discuss concerns that they may not be able to talk about elsewhere, such as parenting issues, she added.

With the WI’s traditions in mind, the ladies have been given 10kg of blueberries by Jeremy Trehane of Trehane Nurseries to make jam to sell from a stall at the Barrington Centre this Christmas.

“My mum was a member of the WI and it took me back to my childhood days, standing on tiptoe, and looking through the window of Stapehill village hall, listening to the ladies sing Jerusalem,” said Mr Trehane. And in a modern display of equality, the branch has appointed two honorary male members.

Cameron Smith and William Pyman, both six, received the honour as thanks for their help with picking the blueberries.

Tea, coffee, champagne and canapés will be served at the launch the branch at the Barrington Centre tonight at 7.30pm.