NEWS FROM THE INSTITUTES

DULL and DISTRICT. President Pam McDiarmid welcomed Carlotta Fraser who gave a cookery demonstration. Competitions: jug – 1 P McDiarmid, 2 D Procter, 3 E Alexander; muffins – 1 A Thom, 2 M Morrison, 3 D Procter.

KILLIN. Professor Dawn Skelton gave an insight into the operation of local company Later Life Training.

FORTEVIOT. Ladies met members from Abernethy and were entertained by Auchterarder. Competitions: sausage rolls – 1 H Harpham, 2 K Birnie, 3 H Johnston; floral arrangement in a shell – 1 H Johnston, 2 H McGregor, 3 M Robinson and C Paterson.

At the following meeting president H Johnston welcomed butchers Ken and Christine Allan who gave a talk on their business. Competitions: trifle – 1 C Paterson, 2 D Farmer, 3 M Clark; animal photo – 1 M Clark, 2 D Farmer, 3 J Craig.

GLENFARG. President Margot Moran introduced Katy Galbraith, who talked on making mosaics and brought samples of her work. Competitions: gift tags – 1 A Messenger, 2 S Chisholm, 3 A Harrison; pasta salad – 1 A Harrison, 2 U Stewart; flower of the month

– 1 L Stuart, 2 L Johnson, 3 S Chisholm.

NEWTYLE. President Evelyn Stirton introduced Joy Spence who gave an illustrated presentation on Australia. Competitions: Anzac biscuits – 1 J Fotheringham, 2 J Guy, 3 V Rennie; flower arrangement in wine glass – 1 A Steel, 2 C Wilson, 3 J Fotheringham.

KINGLANDS. Ann-Marie McMaster gave an illustrated talk about saving Scottish red squirrels. Competitions: collage – E Lennon; flower of the month – 1 S McGhie, 2 E Lennon, 3 J Chalmers.

KINLOCH. Elspeth Campbell presided at an entertainment evening, including whist with winners being Heather Macfarlane and Kate Imlay and the booby going to Ina Robertson and Lesley Evans. Competitions: Highlander biscuits – 1 Lesley Evans, 2 Elspeth Campbell, 3 Sheena Donald; sewn Dorothy bag – 1 Lesley Evans, 2 Janice Shepherd, 3 Elspeth Campbell; flower of the month – Ella Neill.

MADDERTY. Emily Watson introduced Marjory Paton who demonstrated handbells. Competitions: apple jelly – 1 C Craig, 2 F Haggart, 3 I Robertson; jam dish – 1 I Robertson, 2 E Watson, 3 A Bremner; flower of the month – 1 I Robertson, 2 F Haggart, 3 C Craig.

MEIGLE. President Catherine Ritchie welcomed members who discussed the Christmas Fair in Meigle. Competitions: flower of the month

– 1 M Hazel, 2 M Connacher, 3

M Milne; decorated Halloween biscuit – 1 S Liston, 2 C Ritchie.

METHVEN. Dot Goodison introduced Lisa Hainey, from Thorntons solicitors, who spoke on legal matters. Competitions: animal photo – 1 M West, 2 D Goodison; flower of the month – 1 M Chisholm, 2 M Pearson. MID ATHOLL and

STRATHTAY. Mrs Still welcomed Angie from Atholl Hair and Beauty who demonstrated skin care. Competitions: potato scones – 1 I McWilliam, 2 E Robertson, 3 J Cameron; pom-pom robin – 1 E Robertson, 2 I McWilliam, 3 K Yates.

MILNATHORT. President Jean Paterson introduced Clare Slight from charity Broke Not Broken, who spoke about its work. Competitions: cupcakes – 1 K King, 2 S Wardell, 3 D Stephenson; china cup and saucer – 1 N Paterson, 2 D Stephenson, 3 C Cochrane; flower of the month – 1 E Thomson, 2 M Paterson, 3 D Stephenson.

MURTHLY. Margaret Blackhall visited with Molly, a Guide Dog puppy and gave an illustrated talk about her experience training young dogs. Competitions: scones – 1 E Allan, 2 C Lord, 3 M Robertson; flower of the month – E Allan.

PITCAIRNGREEN. President Audrey Michie introduced Anne Buchan, who gave a demonstration of floral art. Competitions: vegetable soup – 1 A Michie, 2 G Shaw-Howells, 3 H Coventry; floral arrangement – 1 F Wylie, 2 H Coventry, 3 L Macnamara.

PITLOCHRY. Members celebrated the 98th birthday. Prizes from Aberfeldy show were presented, with Ginnie Wilkie gaining a first for her blackcurrant jelly, and Jane King the silver salver for best entry in show for her brown rolls. Competitions: something new from old – 1 J King, 2 K Scott; cupcakes – 1 M Gunner, 2 K Scott, 3 J King and G Wilkie. Dr Jennifer Anthony gave a talk on Care in the Atholl Medical Centre at the October meeting. RATTRAY and DISTRICT.

President Muriel Brown welcomed members and guest judges Elspeth and Pat from Kinloch to the September meeting, then introduced speaker Drew Scott, community and education manager at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Competitions: theatre memorabilia – 1 M Murray, 2 F Andrew, 3 L Howkins; raspberry jam – 1 L Howkins, 2 A Simpson, 3 M Brown; flower of the month – A Simpson. Muriel Brown presided at an open night in October, and introduced Irene Kirkwood and her daughter Donna, who organise handbag parties and spoke about her business. Competitions: sewn tote bag

– 1 G Oliver, 2 M Brown, 3 F Ness; cupcakes – 1 K Scott, 2 M Brown, 3 L Howkins; flower of the month – F Ness.