FAR be it from me to suggest they can all remember every little detail, but when it comes to celebrating 50 years of the Queen's reign, few organisations are better placed than the WI.

Since the first one in Worcestershire was formed in 1918, a few monarchs have been through the front doors of Buckingham Palace, some staying considerably longer than others.

So, when the ladies set out to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee this summer, they are able to call on first-hand knowledge and a lot of memories.

Their big bash will be a singing and dancing extravaganza called, appropriately, Fifty Golden Years, for which they will be taking over Worcester's Swan Theatre this weekend.

The show is subtitled from Ration Books to Credit Cards, which gives a rather more accurate hint as to what's going on.

The two-hour programme has been divided into five sections, all dealing with a different decade of the last 50 years.

This has given the performers carte blanche to raid their lofts and attics.

"We've had great fun sifting through all the stuff we really should have thrown away, but never quite got round to," said publicity officer Jean Kennedy.

"It's amazing what you find hidden away in those dark corners or crammed into old suitcases.

"Mind you, it's a case of seeing if you can still get into it now!"

The show begins with a look at the 50s, still suffering from the austere immediate post-war years and then the coffee bar days that spawned rock 'n' roll, before taking a trip into the swinging 60s, scene of Carnaby Street and mini skirts.

The show dubs the 70s The Age of Aquarius with all its Flower Power in The Park, before the emergence of woman power in the 80s, the female executive and the Crystal Carrington shoulder pads.

Finally, the 90s covers the arrival of the world wide web, surfing the net and womans-institute.org.uk.

In something of a scoop, well-known actor Bill Maynard has been recruited to provide the pre-recorded continuity commentary.

"Altogether there are around 70 members involved in the production," Jean added.

"We've been rehearsing in Hallow Village Hall about twice a week since February. It's been great fun."

The production draws from 16 of Worcestershire's 155 WIs.

"It should be stressed this is a Worcestershire Federation effort on behalf of the WI countywide and individual WIs will probably be organising their own Jubilee celebrations too," Jean pointed out.

The Women's Institute is the largest women's organisation in the country, with 240,000 members.

In Worcestershire alone there are more than 4,500, which should provide a decent enough think-tank for celebratory ideas.

As far as Fifty Golden Years is concerned, it has all been written by county WI members, who have delved into the deepest recesses of their memories.

It has been produced and directed by Ann Moore and the choreography, most aptly for a musical, has been in the hands of the wonderfully named Elizabeth Broadway.

Whether this spectacular effort ever manages to make it to the stages of the New York boulevard we shall have to wait and see but, if ever the women want a word whispering in the right ear, they could always approach the WI's most famous member the Queen.

Fifty Golden Years plays Worcester's Swan Theatre on Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22.

Tickets are priced £7.50. For more details call the box office 01905 27322.