Bake- off time

Spade which you have none of. What do you discard? The H8, being the higher card would indicate values in the higher suit, other than trumps and the suit you’re discarding. So it would show Diamonds. Warning – do not signal at the expense of discarding from a suit you need to hold on to! Alloway SWI A good number of members attended the AGM on May 10. Reports were given by secretary, treasurer and president, summarising the year’s activities and finances. On the whole it has been another successful year with Alloway members participating in many events organised by SWI whether sports, quizzes or baking and handcrafts. Membership is down again but hopefully the new session will encourage some ladies to come along to enjoy fun and friendship. The competition results and presentation to the prizewinners was next on the agenda. The Baking Cup was won by June Foreman with Margaret McCreath and Marjorie McCracken second and third. The Handcrafts Trophy was won by Angela Smith and Anne Griffiths and June Foreman were next. Margaret Adams won flower of the month with Angela Smith and Janette Scobie as runners- up. The Monday morning Craft Group continue to meet in The Balgarth Pines at 10am for morning coffee and a chat. After the business was completed, Julie Breen and the Von Crapp Singers entertained with a variety of songs and some humorous interludes too. A fun way to bring the current session to a close. The next date to look forward to is July 2 when SWI members from all over Scotland get together at various venues to celebrate the Centenary of SWI with a Garden Party. Ayrshire Federation will host their celebration at Dumfries House. On September 13, the new session will start with a night of ‘ Zumba’ and the Competitons are A Ayr Rotary Club held a bake off at St Leonard’s Church to raise money for the international initiative End Polio Now.

More than 30 cakes, from a simple fruit scone to a frangipane tart on display were baked by Rotarians. Judge Geoff Russell from the Savoy Park Hotel had the unenviable task of tasting every carefully crafted work of art.

Ronnie Wilson jubilantly punched the air when he was awarded first place for his Guinness cake and received a Mary Berry cook book. Alex Thomson was second with his Clootie Dumpling. Jim Nelson third with his Citrus and Almond cake and Craig Wilson fourth with his Blueberry Sponge.

£ 500 was raised during the afternoon and through the Gates Foundation association with Rotary International, this will be tripled to £ 1500 for End Polio Now. Battenburg Cake, A Holiday Souvenir and Flower of the Month. Alloway Village Hall is the venue and start time is 7.30pm. Ballantrae SWI A lovely summer’s evening saw the AGM in BRICC house, Jessie Brown welcomed and invited all to sing the Rural song. The minutes secretary read previous year’s AGM minutes followed by April’s minutes. The day trip to Castle Douglas has a few seats left on Monday, May 20, leaving village at 10am. Jessie gave a resume’ of the year’s meetings and activities. Rossie McKinley gave her competitions secretary report, which showed an increase in entries. Treasurer Margaret Marshall gave a satisfactory financial statement, reminding that levies are to rise next year. Names were drawn for the SWI centenary garden party at Dumfries House on July 2. Trophies were handed over, Milroy Trophy for most points Janette Sloan. Jubilee Rose Bowl for runner- up Jessie Brown, Helen Mitchell Presentation Watch Janette Sloan, Dickie Trophy for Best Spring Bulbs and the Nicol Quaich for most points Jessie Brown. Thereafter, a lovely two course supper was enjoyed, courtesy of members ‘ Taste and Try’. President closed the meeting by thanking all for their support. Hon Member Jean Dunlop asked for a vote of thanks to the chair. Coylton WI The AGM was held in Claude Hamilton Hall. Trophy winners were: Moira Wilson Quaich for Horticulture: Meta McAlpine; Dunsmuir/ Robison Salver for baking: Meta McAlpine, r- up: Chrissie Shearer ( Golden Jubilee Salver); Aileen Dunsmuir Rosebowl for handicrafts: Chrissie Shearer, r- up: Marie Wilson and Karen Vaughan ( Golden Jubilee Rosebowl); Maria Watson Memorial for Novice in Handicrafts: Karen Vaughan.