Rural round-up

\SWIs

Balbeggie Members of Balbeggie SWI forgathered in St Martin’s Hall on January 12 for the monthly meeting. President Sheena Kyle welcomed members and wished them all a happy New Year. Following the business of the evening Sheena introduced Mike Robinson who is the Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society which is based in The Fair Maid’s House in Perth. He gave an enlightening and amusing talk on the history of the house, the excavations and renovations which were necessary to house the large collection of maps, books and all the other accoutrements which make up the Society Archive. He also told us of the workings of the society and some of the famous people who have been associated with it. For example HM.Stanley, Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott, Edmund Hillary, Neil Armstrong, Michael Palin, David Attenborough, Annie Lennox, and Roald Amundson. More recently Magnus Macfarlane Barrow OBE. FRSGS. Founder of Mary’s Meals and Professor Charles Withers FRSGS, Scotland’s Geographer Royal. Secretary, Anne Gwynn then thanked Mike for his most interesting talk and presented him with a donation to society funds. Tea was served along with the remains of Balbeggie’s 99th anniversary cake. Competition winners: A Poem in Scots. 1. Anne Gwynn 2. Muriel Adamson. Makerel Pate. – 1. Avril Angus 2.Lilias Bell 3.Anne Sidey. Flower of the month – ( a snowdrop) Lilias Bell. The meeting terminated at 9.50pm and Sheena wished everyone a safe journey home, especially on this snowy night. Date of next meeting, February 9 . Flowers for Valentine’s Day.

Bridge of Earn Mrs Wilma Scott, President welcomed members and guests to January meeting. Business was discussed with report from federation meeting in November and arrangements for Group Margaret Fletcher Competition in April. Arrangements for Community Entry at Spring Show were also discussed. After business, the meeting took the form of a craft evening with Ann Rodgie, member, showing her skills in making “Tassles” when all members took part and went home with a finished article. Sandra Murray gave a vote of thanks. Competitions were judged by Guest, Charlene Hunter, and resulted as follows: Childs Fingerless Gloves 1 - Norma Blair, 2 - Sandra Murray, 3 - Sheila Ellis. Flower of the month - 1 - Margaret Folan, 2 - Liz Davidson, 3 - Wilma Scott. Tea was served and Raffle drawn.

Caputh and Spittalfield January being members’ night the president welcomed all in the Spittalfield bowling club house on Tuesday 10. Business on hand was dealt with before a bowling member of the club explained and demonstrated the ‘outs and ins’ of carpet bowling and kept play moving (perhaps gaining a few grey hairs in the process). Members enjoyed the activity voting to repeat next year. The usual cup of tea and goodies supplied by the members was extra welcome.E.Moon and S Brown had most points. A raffle boosted funds and Sandy was thanked for his time, instruction and patience.

Carse group Carse Group SWI held its annual “Ruralympics” in Glencarse Village Hall on January 16. Longforgan A (50 points) won the Betty Graham Trophy, Inchture (37 points) came second and Collace and KInrossie third (33 points). Group Chairman, Janet Rougvie, thanked the scorers Muriel Anderson and Betty Graham, the timekeeper Alistair Cameron and all markers and runners for their help in making the evening such a success. Thanks were also due to Errol SWI, the hostess institute, for serving the teas. A presentation was then made to Sheena Kyle on behalf of Carse Group SWI in appreciation of all her hard work and support whilst in the post of Carse Group Chairman. Janet Rougvie then closed the event and wished all a safe journey home.

Collace and Kinrossie In January Collace and Kinrossie SWI President Janet Rougvie opened the meeting and welcomed all. She then introduced the speaker Anna Browne who gave us a fascinating and informative and talk on Viking crafts including knitting, textile dying and weaving. Anna runs courses and sells her crafts through Coupar Angus Community Shop. Vice President Susan Howarth preposted the vote of thanks. Competitions: Hand Made Flower (any craft) up to 4” – 1 Merle Palmer 2 Janet Rougvie. Three chocolate

Crook of Devon There was no meeting in December as members had a lovely Christmas Meal at The Inn, Crook of Devon, followed by Christmas stories and games organised by Kim Massey. President Mrs Alice Johnson opened the first meeting of 2017, she wished everyone a Happy New Year and then introduced Mr Jim Christie from the Woodland Trust Scotland, who gave a very interesting talk along with a beautiful slide show on the work of the trust. A vote of thanks was given by Mrs Isobel Mill. Competition winners: Flower of the month, Alice Johnson; Fascinator, Mary Paterson.

Dunning President Lesley McRae welcomed members to the first meeting of 2017. The visiting speaker was Diane Holme, her talk had the interesting title “How Many Polar Bears”. Along with a slide show, Diane told of a cruise taken in search of polar bears and yes ,there were bears ,the correct number was given by Celia Marshall and she was presented with a bag of Glacier mints! Celia also gave the vote of thanks. Comps: A Snow Scene - 1 Pam Williams. 2 Liz Piggott. 3 Janette Peebles. Flower of the Month 1 Nan Ross, 2 Celia Marshall, 3 Kay Williams and Liz Piggott. Mary White brought along shortbread to have with our cup of tea which was greatly enjoyed. Fowlis Wester The sight of ladies scurrying into the hall with hot dishes and vying for oven space told us that we were in for a special evening. It was our Burns night, with Audrey McColl addressing the haggis, which she made an excellent job of. Plenty of chatter and laughter made for an enjoyable night and President Wilma Brown thanked us all for our efforts. Unfortunately a few were unable to come due to winter illnesses, we hope they are all better soon.

Glencarse President Norma Butcher opened the meeting of January 9 with a happy new year and a warm welcome to all our members and any visitors attending on the night. She then introduced the speaker for the night, Mr Ron Wheatley. Ron is a member of Carse in Bloom, and he went on to speak about all the work that has gone into keeping the garden and planters in bloom for the best part of the year, he also spoke about the residents and school children and thanked them for the way they all played their part with watering and litter picking. It was a most interesting talk and lovely to see the pictures of it all in bloom. All the members work very hard all year to keep it all looking so beautiful. Thank you all very much. Competition: Winners - Short Bread Fingers; 1 Cathy Forbes, 2 Nancy Robertson. Christmas Plant; 1 Jessie Smith, 2 Cathy Forbes.

Madderty President E Watson welcomed all members to the first meeting of 2017. Business was discussed and entertainment was provided by members including a poem, quiz and a story which incorporated a fast paced game for all to participate in. I Robertson gave thanks and the results for the competitions were as follows: Best Use of Christmas Cards: 1 E Watson, 2 A Bremner, 3 F Haggart. Three Rock Buns: 1 A Bremner, 2 F Haggart, 3 I Robertson. Flower of the Month: 1 I Robertson, 2 F Haggart, 3 E Watson. Hostesses: I Robertson, F Haggart, B Lyall. The next meeting will be on February 1 with a talk on Scam Awareness by Angie Menzies, to be held at Madderty Hall at 7.30pm, all welcome.

Strathallan Susan Gray, president warmly welcomed members on a very chilly evening. Usual agenda items were discussed. Coffee morning in November raised £511. Susan introduced Diane Holme, president of Auchterarder SWI, who asked the members ‘How many Polar Bears?’ The talk was presented with excellent photographs of her trip to Svalbard, formerly known as Spitsbergen, in the Arctic Ocean. Walrus, bird-life, flora and fauna featured in the photographs but the polar bears were the main attraction. Susan Gray thanked Diane, on behalf of the members, for an informative talk of a polar bear’s life-style in the Arctic. Raffle was organised and tea served by Jean Dawson and helpers. Competitions- Knitted Egg cosy- any ply 1. Pam Brand, 2= Lesley Buchan and Elsie Galloway. Favourite vase – 1 Janet Shanks, 2. Jean Dawson, 3 Christine Taylor. Next meeting on Thursday, February 9, in Lesser Aytoun Hall at 7.30pm. Competitions – Banana Loaf and photograph of a winter scene (7’’ x 5’’ max) There will be a raffle at this meeting.