Burlesque dancing, cocktail making, business networking and cake baking - it’s Women’s Institute, but with a modern twist.

Ipswich Star: (L-R) Cake & Revolution members Victoria Norfolk and Miranda Acres outside Ipswich Museum. Pictures: Miranda Acres(L-R) Cake & Revolution members Victoria Norfolk and Miranda Acres outside Ipswich Museum. Pictures: Miranda Acres (Image: Archant)

A new Ipswich branch of the long-running organisation formed six months ago and it has already reached its capacity of 100 active members.

Selling itself as “more Prosecco and body confidence than jam and Jerusalem”, Cake & Revolution is made up of mostly young women who are reinventing the traditional image of the WI.

This month it was chosen as the winner of a competition to take over Ipswich Museum for the night on March 2 to run an event of their choosing.

The forward-looking WI is opting for a black-tie affair, with a glass of bubbly on arrival followed by lashings of homemade cake and a line-up of female performers, compered by Tallulah Goodtimes, with drinks supplied by Greg Cooper from Beer & Co.

During the evening, guided tours highlighting remarkable women of the museum through the ages will be available, and there will be a silent auction of “experience” prizes donated by businesses.

All proceeds will go to Suffolk domestic abuse support charity, Lighthouse Women’s Aid.

Member Miranda Acres, who is organising the event along with Victoria Norfolk and Amanda Glasper, said: “We’ll be highlighting the strength of women in history and the present day, and celebrating International Women’s Day which, not coincidentally, falls on March 8.”

When asked why the WI is still going strong after more than 100 years, Ms Acres said: “They are relevant because women like to network and also we support local charities who need supporting.

“It’s about empowering women and getting more independence and it’s about inspiring each other and I don’t think that will ever go away.

“It’s a great organisation.”

Cake & Revolution meets every month and puts on different activities for its members, including a burlesque dancing class and chocolate crafting session.

This month a member of staff from the Spread Eagle pub in Ipswich is going to hold a cocktail-making workshop for the women.

Interest in the WI group has been so high that it has had to turn away wannabe members, Ms Acres said.

As a result, a separate group of 50 “equally inspirational” women has gone on to form.

For tickets to the event on March 2 - called Cake and Mammoth - see here.