Blue plaque unveiled for Women's Institute pioneer

A blue plaque has been unveiled to commemorate a pioneer of the Women's Institute (WI).

Catherine Margaret Boscawen married Lionel Petre, the 16th Baron Petre, in 1913, and became known as Lady Petre.

She became the first chairperson of the Federation of Essex Women's Institutes (FEWI) in 1917, and later served as a magistrate and county commissioner for Girl Guides.

Sue MacEwen, the current vice-chairwoman of the FEWI, said Lady Petre was very "worthy" of the blue plaque that was unveiled at Ingatestone Hall, near Brentwood, on Friday.

"Catherine Lady Petre embodied everything the Essex WI stands for; education, inspiration and friendship," said MacEwen.

Two years after their marriage, Lady Petre's husband was wounded in World War One and died from his injuries at hospital in England.

Lady Petre took on the family estate and restored many of the Tudor features of the 16th Century Ingatestone Hall.

In 1921, she married former Conservative MP Sir Frederic Carne Rasch, 1st Baronet, and they moved to Woodhill House in Danbury.

Carne died in 1963 and Lady Petre, who had two children, moved to a flat in London. She died in 1983.

She also ran a school training young women to be milkmaids during World War One.

Her grandson, John Patrick Lionel Petre - the 18th Baron Petre - was one of about 50 people at the unveiling ceremony.

"She was a person of many different accomplishments, but in some way really this house, to a large extent, is her memorial," said Lord Petre.

Ingatestone Hall is privately owned, but puts on guided tours and events.

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