Ladies meet for ‘Tea in the Park’
Celebration held at Queen Victoria School
Around 200 members of Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perth Federation joined around 16,000 women marking the centenary of the Women’s Institute.
Every Federation in Scotland celebrated the milestone on July 2 with their own `Tea in the Park’ events.
Local federation members met at the Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, which itself has played a part in the history.
All were piped in by Lynzie Mack of Menstrie, before chairman Mary Young gave an address reminding them that the first `Rural’ in Scotland had been formed in Longniddry in June, 1917, by Catherine Blair - an East Lothian farmer’s wife and active suffragette. Today there are 716 Institutes in 32 Federation areas with over 16,000 members.
A celebration cake sat on a cloth, embroidered in 1953 by members of Queen Victoria Institute, which ran from 1950-68, next to a piece of Mak’Merry pottery kindly loaned by Margaret Crawford of the Polmont Institute. The pottery was set up by Catherine Blair in 1919.
The cake was cut by Elspeth Murdoch, from Buchlyvie, who chaired the Federation from 197882. She was watched by a further eight past chairmen and Mary Young.
All present then enjoyed an afternoon tea provided by the school caterers in the refectory decorated with floral arrangements. These were presented to the past chairmen, other than one which was raffled and won by Mamie Davies, a Rural member for 70 years –the last nine years in Gargunnock Institute.
Vice chairman Ray McLeod gave a vote of thanks before members walked to the school chapel to be entertained by Callander Brass Band.
During the celebrations, Mary told members: “Centenary celebrations are taking place in each federation area today so potentially 16,000 women are celebrating.
“One hundred years ago, East Lothian farmer’s wife Catherine Blair recognised a need for women living in rural areas to gain the benefit of education and training in home skills, in family welfare and citizenship. Her vision was shared by others and in June 1917 in Longniddry 37 women turned up for a meeting and the first Institute was formed and is still in existence today.
“In 1950, here in Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, staff members and wives of staff members formed their own Institute. Though a small community they were very active and enjoyed entering competitions.
“In 1953 Queen Victoria Institute was awarded second prize in a Federation competition for a presidential tablecloth. This cloth, designed and made by six members and entitled `Four Seasons’ is here today. Many of you will recognise this cloth, which is used at Federation meetings.
“Nationally, celebrations have included a craft exhibition in Edinburgh, attended by Princess Anne, the creation of a craft banner with each Institure providing a logo and a new recipe book. Still to come, a tree planting ceremony and garden party opposite headquarters in Heriot Row in September.”