SELF-DEFENCE, song and sewing are on the agenda this year for one of Oxford's youngest Women's Institutes, which called for more members to join on its 6th birthday.

Leys WI, founded in 2009, is carving out a reputation for itself as a "hands-on" WI, with members young and old coming from across Oxfordshire.

It meets on Wednesdays at the Clockhouse in Greater Leys and has about 15 regular members but president Linda Page, 49, said fresh faces were invited to join.

She said: "We have tried to encourage other people to join but a lot of them think 'I'm not old and I'm not retired, so why would I want to join the WI?'.

"It would be nice if we had more. We aren't a traditional WI; most of us work and we aren't that organised, but it's fun-chaotic."

Mrs Page, who lived in Tarragon Drive, Greater Leys, for 10 years before moving to Kennington, first joined after being invited along by then-president Rachel Fisher.

She added: "It was really interesting stuff. At my first meeting we learned how to do hand massages and at the second we talked about the importance of writing wills.

"There is a mixture of hands-on stuff and talks and we try to alternate sitting and listening with actually doing something."

In May 2013 the group showed off its zany side with a fancy-dress take on the Harlem Shake dance craze, performing a filmed comedy sketch to an excerpt from the song.

In 2016 members will take part in a singing workshop, a pottery demonstration, a self-defence talk, beekeeping and Christmas crafts in December.

The group also regularly rolls up its sleeves for charity and on the night of its sixth birthday collected sanitary products for the homeless in Oxford.

Treasurer Abby White, 39, travels from Boundary Brook Road in East Oxford to the WI with guide dog and honorary member Annie.

She said her favourite sessions were a wool-spinning class and a talk from an Oxford University Press speaker on writing and publishing children's books.

She said: "I live on my own and work from home. Most of my socialising is outside of Oxford and I wanted to do something more local.

"It's fun and there's something different every week. We have done some really interesting talks and events, and some where we share food and have a natter.

"I think the WI is definitely relevant. We are quite a young group, we don't sing Jerusalem and I find it really valuable to go to a social event that's just ladies. You can relax."

Jenny Wells, of Greater Leys, learned about the WI during a chance conversation with Oxfordshire Federation chairwoman Barbara Gray while working as a hairdresser.

The 59-year-old said: "It's nice to have things going on in your local area, and it's a lovely venue. You meet a variety of interesting people from all walks of life."

The 2016 membership subscription for the WI is £37.50 and two meetings can be attended free of charge. For more information visit theleyswi.moonfruit.com