Crafts by WI ladies on show at Smith
It is an honour to join you here in Stirling to share in the celebration of Crafty Goings On
Around 50 members and friends attended the opening of the Scottish Women’s Institute‘Crafty Goings On’exhibition at Stirling’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum on Saturday.
Chairman of the Smith Trustees, Colin O’Brien, welcomed everyone, including Federation chairman Mary Young, SWI national chairman Linda Retson and senior vice chairman Anne Kerr to the Smith.
He explained the layout of the galleries and museum saying he was pleased to welcome local groups and organisations as it was a“building for everyone”and he wished the SWI well.
The exhibition, in this SWI centenary year, showcases the skills of the women in Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perth Federation and promotes the preservation of Scotland’s traditions and its rural heritage, one of the main aims of SWI.
Mary Young thanked director of the Smith, Elspeth King, who had led all the preparations for the exhibition, and Federation secretary Alice Kilgour, who liaised with Elspeth and collected and collated exhibits in the Federation office.
She also thanked Michael McGuiness of the Smith for setting up the exhibition so professionally.
Linda Retson said:“It is an honour to join you here in Stirling to share in the celebration of‘Crafty Goings On’. What a lovely title.
“The centenary year is special for all of our members across Scotland but this must be a time of considerable pride for you to see all these wonderful items displayed, some of which were probably stored away and rarely seen.
“This is a chance to show what you are about and promote our wonderful organisation.”
She declared the exhibition open, wishing everyone a happy and successful event before tea was served.
‘Crafty Goings On’ features crafts of all kinds and is open until Sunday, August 27, from Tuesdays to Saturdays 10.30am until 5pm and on Sundays from 2-5pm.
There is a also a cafe, shop and garden at the Smith. Admission and parking is free.
There will also be craft demonstrations on Saturdays from noon until 2pm for the duration of the exhibition. The next is tomorrow (July 22) when Anne Muirhead of Gargunnock will feature knitting finishes and crochet.