A dual celebration is being enjoyed by members of the Inner Wheel Club of Musselburgh in 2024/25.

They are marking the centenary of the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland, and the Musselburgh club’s 70th anniversary.

To celebrate the national organisation’s 100th birthday last week, on January 10, Elaine Clark, vice-president of Inner Wheel in Musselburgh, came up with the idea of decorating shop windows in the town.

A trio of shop windows – Edinburgh Flooring Services on North High Street, Elena Di Rollo on Bridge Street and Blueberry gift shop near the Town Hall on High Street – were dressed to reflect the work and service of Inner Wheel, which supports local and international charities including WaterAid and Sightsavers.

“We would like to thank them for making this possible,” said Sheila Bowler, spokesperson for the Inner Wheel Club of Musselburgh.

She explained: “Our club are working on other projects to mark 100 years of the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland, and our club is celebrating its own birthday.

“As a club, we have been meeting in Musselburgh for 70 years and we will mark the occasion by hosting a dinner next year.

“We have other things in the pipeline so we are going to be very busy.”

Mrs Bowler highlighted the history of Inner Wheel, saying: “Inner Wheel started in Manchester in 1924. It was the brainchild of Mrs Margarette Golding, whose husband was in the Rotary Club. She felt that women could meet together and do good in the world but help people of the local community as well.

“There are over 9,000 members in Great Britain and Ireland and over 120,000 members in 4,000 clubs worldwide. Although only women with a Rotary connection could join in the early years, this changed and clubs can now invite ladies to join.

“Every year on January 10, clubs do a vast range of activities to remember our founder and usually tie it in with something to do in the community.”

This year, the club is donating goods to East Lothian Foodbank and East Lothian Young Carers.

Mrs Bowler said: “In past years we planted flowers in the Hollies day centre, restored the Inner Wheel bench at the harbour and one member made lemon curd for a local care home. It really depends on what some of the ladies come up with.”

She added: “Our club in Musselburgh started in 1954/55. The Inner Wheel year straddles two years – we start the new year in September and finish in June. Our 70th anniversary celebrations will not be until later in the year and into next year.”

A soup and pudding lunch will be held on February 24 from noon till 2pm at St Michael’s Church Hall on Dalrymple Loan. The club is raising awareness and funding for research into sepsis, which president Helen McMillan has chosen as her cause this year.

Mrs McMillan said: “We are delighted to be joining in the celebrations to mark 100 years of the Inner Wheel and are looking forward to further promoting our club in Musselburgh, who have their 70th anniversary next year.

“As we raise funds, and support local, national and international charities, we create real friendships within the club and have a lot of fun. New members are always welcome.”

The club meets on the third Wednesday of the month, except July and August, at the Ravelston House Hotel.

Anyone who would like further information on the club can email secretary@ innerwheelmusselburgh.co.uk