The bell, cast in the image of Saint Osyth, bears the following inscription down the side of her cloak: “Presented to Nundle branch of the CWA by the WI (Women’s Institute) of St Osyth, Essex, England, 1947”.

When a Salvation Army thrift shop volunteer (with great eyesight) found the bell in a box three years ago, and spotted the inscription, they phoned a branch member and returned it, where investigations began.

This was no mean feat, as Nundle’s early minutes had unfortunately been lost, so the internet proved an invaluable tool.

St Osyth WI records, however, were a mine of information. 

They revealed Miss Biddy Payne, a past secretary and foundation member of Nundle CWA, visited the club in Essex in 1947 and received the gift to bring home to Nundle.

Wanthella group president Margaret Schofield said Miss Payne had attended a world conference in Amsterdam and asked if Nundle CWA could be paired with another similar organisation in England.

“As St Osyth WI was formed a month after our club, it was felt the two clubs could grow old together,” Mrs Schofield said.

“They formed a wonderful friendship and Nundle CWA would send over food parcels, tins of lard, fruit cakes and other items, which were hard to come by in post-war England where rationing ruled.”

Several legends surround Saint Osyth (or Ositha), the most fantastic of which was the young girl had her heart set on becoming a nun, but her father was against it and wanted her to marry a wealthy nobleman.

She ran away to the convent, but was executed by beheading. 

Here’s where the rumour gets really interesting.

After having her head chopped off, she picked it up, ran back to the convent with it, knocked three times on the door and collapsed. 

“Last weekend our branch members had the opportunity to see photos of St Osyth,” Mrs Schofield said.

“A CWA member from Dubbo Evening branch, Ruth Shanks, is world president of the Country Women of the World, and took the opportunity to visit the club on an overseas tour.

“She found the story of the bell so fascinating, and made contact with them. Club members picked up Ruth and her husband from the station and showed them around. 

“They hosted a wonderful garden party for her, with all the members’ husbands dressed in union jack waistcoats, acting as wait staff.

“The husbands call themselves WISHes – Women’s Institute Supportive Husbands.”

Mrs Schofield said members found it fascinating to see photos of the club where the tiny bell had originated. 

She said their association would now continue into the future.