Forget jam and Jerusalem. It was skipping ropes and shrieks for the Women's Institute members who took part in a sports day.

Other familiar features of traditional school sports events were also in evidence, including netballs, obstacles, and eggs balanced precariously upon spoons. And in addition to the shrieks of laughter and encouragement, there were also plenty of smiles from the WI members who had gathered in a field near Bristol to take part in their first-ever sports day.

Sue Slade, of Stockwood WI, said: "We're not just a bunch of old fogeys who sit around knitting and doing crochet."

It was Mrs Slade, 59, who came up with the idea for the event, which was based on traditional school sports days and was organised by the Avon Federation's sport and leisure committee.

About 150 WI members took part, with teams based upon five "schools" named after members of the sport and leisure committee, who were their "head teachers" for the day.

As well as an old-style format, some traditional values to competing were in evidence among the competitors, who vied fiercely against each other during races but were quick to congratulate their opponents afterwards.

"We have winners and we have losers here, but there won't be anyone crying afterwards and complaining that they lost," declared Mrs Slade.

Some the WI members running in the races in a field near Chew Magna had a turn of speed that would put women half their age to shame.

"Some of our members are very fit. I do yoga and I can touch my toes," said Mrs Slade, who then proceeded to do exactly that.

Sport and leisure committee chairwoman Susan Meadows, 62, who presided over the event wearing a black mortar board and robe, complete with a cane and a whistle, observed: "It's such a shame that so many schools no longer have competitive sports days."

The greatest scandal of the afternoon involved one woman who was perhaps a little too competitive and ended up being disqualified for cheating in the egg and spoon race. Apparently she had her thumb on the egg while she was running.

Mrs Meadows said: "The sport and leisure committee is responsible for organising activities, such as a monthly walk, a croquet taster day, and belly dancing. This is the first WI sports day that we've organised in the Bristol area, and it may even be the first in the UK. It's been such a success that we may hold another one in a couple of years' time."

Members certainly appeared to be enjoying themselves as they took part in egg and spoon races, three-legged races, netball shooting, welly throwing, skipping, dressing up, an obstacle race, and a relay race.

"WI members always have a lot of fun," remarked Mrs Meadows.

The fun extended beyond the sporting events, with competitors afterwards enjoying a cream tea with strawberries from the family farm of WI member Felicity James, on which the sports day took place.

"Because of the cream tea we were keen for as many people as possible to play games, otherwise it would have been a field full of ladies eating," said Mrs Slade.

WI members sat in the sun during an afternoon break from events eating packed lunches they had brought with them in wicker baskets.

One organised lady had even brought a tea pot with a knitted cosy. Others enjoyed something stronger – bottles of red and white wine could be seen in a number of picnic baskets.

Many of the women had colourful stickers on their chests, which denoted that they had been placed on one of the races.

Jane Lucas, of Chew Stoke WI, had a sticker for coming second in the egg and spoon race. "Not bad for a 66-year-old!" she declared.

The president of Chew Stoke WI, Wendy Crocker, 59, who was wearing badge showing she came third in the egg and spoon race, said: "Some sports days are quite uncompetitive nowadays, but we're all very competitive here."

Susan Marshfield, 77, of the Winterbourne (Evening) branch of the WI won first place in the welly throwing competition.

What was the secret of her winning technique?

"I aimed at the adjudicator," she confided.

● For further information about WIs in the Avon Federation, call 0117 986 4782 or go to www.avonfwi.org.