IN scenes reminiscent of the 1964 classic film My Fair Lady thirty elegantly dressed ladies donned their hats to enjoy a garden party with a difference.

Members of Llantilio Pertholey Women’s Institute descended on the garden of president Maureen Braithwaite in Lansdown Road, Abergavenny, for an afternoon which saw them enjoy strawberries and cream and a selection of homemade cakes.

The event organised by the branch, which celebrates its 90th anniversary next year, is just one of many to take place during the summer and saw old and new members come together.

“It was a lovely day and the rain didn’t dampen our spirits,” said Mrs Braithwaite.

“The event was entitled ‘My Fair Ladies’ and when the ladies arrived it was just like the Ascot scene in the film My Fair Lady.

“They were all beautifully dressed and enjoyed fruit punch, strawberries and cream as well as cakes made by the committee members.”

During the afternoon, members took part in a competition to guess the name of the resident scarecrow. The winner of the competition was Jane White, who chose the name Alfred (also the name of Eliza’s father in the ilm) The branch meets on the first thursday of each month at Mardy Community Hall at 7.15pm. A trip to the American Museum at Claverton Manor, in Bath is due to take place on September 30, 2008.