A GROUP of ladies converged on Woodbury Village Hall to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the village s women s institute. Launched in February 1920, the Woodbury Women s Institute held a special birthday party last week. The hall was decorated with bund

A GROUP of ladies converged on Woodbury Village Hall to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the village's women's institute.

Launched in February 1920, the Woodbury Women's Institute held a special birthday party last week.

The hall was decorated with bundles of balloons and celebratory posters and ladies were treated to a meal as well as an array of entertainment.

A spokesperson for the institute said: "The ladies enjoyed a meal of leek and potato soup, followed by Thai curried chicken or vegetable lasagne; birthday cakes and grapes, ending with coffee and mints.

"As well as 19 visitors from other branches in the Clyst Group, Woodbury were honoured to have Sally Wilson, county chairman, and Mary Andrews, a county advisor, as special guests."

There are 28 active members in the Woodbury Women's Institute.

"During the meal, Ozzy D, the entertainer for the evening, introduced himself to each table giving a taster of some of his tricks and slight-of-hand.

"One of the guests, Shirley Weston from Pennsylvania WI, was the one person with a �20 note in her handbag, so Ozzy called her to the stage, asked her to write her name on the note, then he apparently set it on fire.

"Then, with his hands cuffed behind his back, he somehow transferred three cards from Liz Hill, who was standing on the 10 cards she had been given, to the president Sue Bury, who had placed her 10 cards in her pocket.

"So, Liz finished up with seven under her foot, and Sue had 13 in her pocket. Magic indeed!

The spokesperson said the event ended with Sally Wilson thanking Woodbury for inviting her.

She added: "Margo Crundwell, Woodbury's secretary, gave a vote of thanks to Ozzy D.

"The party concluded with a cheerful 'thanks' to the helpers, and a 'farewell' to all, by our president, Sue Bury.