THE MOTHERS’ Union branch which has been running in Petersfield for almost 130 years has announced it has closed.

The Petersfield branch, which was based at St Peter’s Church in The Square, has been active since 1889.

The monthly communion, service, which will still be held on the first Thursday of each month, began in 1928.

However, the women who run the group have found that due to their age, they no longer feel able to continue organising it, as most of them are now in their 80s.

The Rev Will Hughes said: “The Mothers’ Union has been around in Petersfield almost since the beginning.

“It’s achieved some fantastic things, most of which are carrying on in other ways.

“Much of their work continues but the members of the Mothers’ Union aren’t as young as they once were.

“They haven’t been recruiting younger people into it. They will continue to meet together, but it was just too much for them to do.

“I am in deep admiration of them for realising that and drawing it to a close before it became a burden.”

The national Mothers’ Union was started by the wife of the vicar of Alresford, Mary Sumner, in 1876.

Mary was related by marriage to the then vicar of Petersfield, whose wife coincidentally, was also called Mary Sumner.

The group has been involved in many activities in Petersfield over the years.

In 1963 there was a thriving Young Wives group and some members acted as babysitters for the children.

Many members over the years have knitted clothes for premature babies. They have also filled wash bags for people who were rushed into hospital.

In that time, they have also kept in touch with other Mothers’ Union groups around the world, particularly in Africa.

A celebration was held to officially mark the closure of the group with several of the members, who enjoyed tea, coffee and cake.

Mr Hughes added: “We have celebrated the wonderful things that it has done and celebrated the people who have been a part of it and marked its closure.

“It’s been an incredible force for good in terms of the work that it’s done.

“It’s a sad thing to see it come to an end but it’s the right thing for these people.”

Member Jill Walker added: “The Mothers’ Union members have always been at the heart of our church, always around when anything needed doing and were happy to be called upon to help. We hope that sometime in the future, a group of young women will come forward and start a new branch. This would be wonderful.”