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With the festive season in full swing, Christmas decorations have gone up all around Caerphilly County Borough.

In Machen, even the giant Costa Coffee cup outside the Co-op store has received a Christmas makeover, thanks to members of the resurgent Machen Women’s Institute.

Earlier this year, the group knitted and crocheted an Easter topper for the postbox in Machen, before creating another display to mark Remembrance Day. Both proved popular with village residents.

However, while the postbox is out of action due to refurbishment, the group did not want to let residents down this Christmas. With the support of the Co-op, they instead turned their attention to decorating the giant coffee cup outside the shop.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Machen WI member Helen Davies-Pitman said 12 people were involved in creating the festive topper.

“The Co-op really embraced it,” she said. “We were all excited to give something back to the community and put a smile on people’s faces.”

The project rounds off a successful year for the group, which just two years ago was on the brink due to dwindling membership.

Now, Machen WI boasts more than 50 members of all ages — a significant increase from the eight members it had at its lowest point.

“The Women’s Institute has been in Machen for 80 years,” said Helen. “But it’s really been reignited in the last few years.”

The group meets twice a month and regularly hosts guest speakers, yoga sessions, trips away, fundraising events, community activities and more.

On January 2, members will be holding a community litter pick in Machen. Plans for next year also include trips to Windsor, ghost tours, and a variety of guest speakers covering topics such as homelessness, violence against women and girls, and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Anyone interested in joining Machen WI can contact Gwent Women’s Institute for more information.