Portaferry woman given honour for work with WI

Portaferry woman given honour for work with WI

6 January 2016

ONE of the Women’s Institutes most dedicated members has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

Mrs Elizabeth Lyttle, from Portaferry, is the recipient of the award for her services to the community in Portaferry.

Joining Portaferry Women’s Institute back in 1959, she has been president of the local WI on no less than 21 occasions.

She was also been a founder member of the Upper Ards Historical Society and acted as a treasurer for the group.

Speaking of her delight at receiving the honour, Mrs Lyttle said: “I was very surprised and I haven’t got over it yet. 

“You know before it is announced ,but when you accept the honour you keep it a secret. I didn’t tell my own family.”

Mrs Lyttle now expects to receive her award from Mr David Lindsay, the Lord Lieutenant for County Down, at Hillsborough Castle.

The Portaferry Institute has the honour of being the second oldest WI in Northern Ireland.

Recalling her first impressions of the organisation, Mrs Lyttle said: “It was a lovely gathering of women — rural women helping rural women. It is non-sectarian, non-political and you get to know a lot of people in the area. Not only Portaferry, County Down or Northern Ireland, but worldwide.

“I must say we have also got some younger members these last few years.”

Mrs Lyttle has also spent time in London for meetings of the Associated Country Women of the World, which helps rural women in other parts of the world.

Mrs Lyttle said the Institute’s international work was less well known, but pointed out that they had recently raised £1,000 to bring a woman from Estonia over to one of their conferences.

“That side is not as well known not as well publicised,” she said. “Northern Ireland is very generous.”

Looking to the future, Mrs Lyttle says she has no intention of slowing down or missing her monthly WI meeting. “Not while I am able,” she said.