Wri bulletin

AUCHTERARDER.

President Diane Holme welcomed members and visitors from Strathallan and introduced Patricia Keppie from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who spoke about its work. Competitions: empire biscuits – 1 I Menzies, 2 N Homewood; fatless sponge (Margaret Stewart memorial trophy) – M McGraw; flower of the month – N Homewood.

BLACKFORD.

President Irene McLaughlan welcomed members and guests from Carnbo to the March meeting. Final preparations for the spring show were discussed. Competitions: carrot gingerbread – 1 N Sinclair, 2 S Stewart; key ring – 1 N Sinclair,

2 S Stewart, 3 I McLaughlan; flower of the month – S Stewart.

BLAIRADAM.

The entertainment for the evening was a beetle drive and all members enjoyed taking part. Competitions: mini desert – 1 E Hunter, 2 R Hughes; flower of the month – 1 E Hunter, 2 K Rettie.

BURRELTON and WOODSIDE.

President Irene Smith welcomed everyone and introduced Laura Baird from Wiltshire Foods who gave a talk on how it all started. Competition: flower of the month – Winnie Stewart.

CLUNIE. At the March meeting, Martin Payne gave a talk on Yellowstone Park. Competitions: landscape photo (visitors) – 1 S McGhie (Kinglands), 2 W Reid (Stanley), 3 L Macdonald (Kinloch); bloom of the month (members) – M Webster.

COMRIE. Members and guests enjoyed an outing to Comrie Croft, where Andrew showed us a film of the farmyard and surrounds as it was when he took over.

DULL and DISTRICT.

In March, president Pam Macdiarmid welcomed members to the Inn on the Tay for the birthday meal, which had been postponed from January due to the weather.

DUNNING.

President Lesley McRae welcomed everyone to the April meeting and introduced Maggie Robbins who spoke about adopting a bear cub from the Highland Wildlife Park. Competitions: favourite teddy – 1 E Taylor, 2 K Williams, 3 – E Piggott; flower of the month – 1 C Smith, 2 M Palmer, 3 L McRae.

ERROL. Freda Scott welcomed members to the April meeting and introduced Helen Quartermaine who demonstrated basic crochet techniques. Competitions: Easter card (homemade) – 1 J Lawson, 2 M Kelly; fridge magnet – 1 E Lewis, 2 J Lawson, 3 F Scott; flower of the month – G Fairbairn. FOWLIS WESTER.

Wilma Brown welcomed members to the March meeting and informed everyone the institute came second in the Spring Show Community Competition at Bankfoot. Clare Paton from Kinross explained how to use different honey in every meal throughout the day. Competitions: decorated jam jar – 1 W Brown, 2 A Hubbard, 3 A McColl; three honey flapjacks – 1 H Walker, 2 A McColl, 3 W Brown and A Hubbard. KINLOCH. President Elspeth Campbell welcomed members to the April meeting and introduced Pippa Clegg who showed how to plant out pots successfully. Competitions: two cheese scones – 1 J Shepherd, 2 E Kincaid, 3 E Campbell; small flower arrangement – 1 E Neill, 2 E Campbell, 3 J Shepherd; flower of the month – E Neill. Next month’s meeting is on May 1. METHVEN. Dot Goodison welcomed members and guests from Pitcairngreen and introduced Stewart Nelson from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Competitions: fruit loaf – 1 S Johnston, 2 M Chisholm; flower of the month – 1 M Chisholm, 2 S Johnston. MID ATHOLL and STRATHTAY. Chris Rowley welcomed members to Ballintagart Farm Cook School, where they got an insight into how to prepare fish. Competitions: round of shortbread – 1 H Evans, 2 J Cameron, 3 A Fraser; pot plant – 1 B Robertson, 2 I McWilliam.

MILNATHORT. President Jean Paterson welcomed members and introduced Dick Crighton who spoke about his years as a coach driver at home and abroad. Competitions: pot of bulbs

– D Stephenson; three Easter biscuits – K King; flower of the month – 1 N Paterson PITCAIRNGREEN.

Stuart Nelson gave advice on aspects of safety in the home. Competition: fruit loaf – 1 H Coventry, 2 A Michie. RATTRAY and

DISTRICT. President Muriel Brown welcomed members and the judges from Kinloch then introduced Janet Rougvie and her Lakeland terrier Dame Vera, giving members an insight into preparing the dog and owner for entering a dog show at championship and Crufts level. Competitions: a flask of carrot and coriander soup – 1 F Ness, 2 L Smith, 3 J Edwards; small embroidered picture – 1 F Ness, 2 F Andrew, 3 M Murray; flower of the month – F Ness.

RHYND. President Norah Winyard welcomed members and introduced Mrs M Tinson from Parkhead Gardens, who gave an illustrated talk about her building her garden, which is open to the public. Competitions: smiddyloaf – 1 A Boyce, 2 C Sievwright; sixinch miniature floral display – 1 F Todd, 2 C Sievwright; flower of the month – C Sievwright.

SCONE. Phyllis Baillie welcomed members to the March meeting and introduced Constance Smith who demonstrated the art of glass painting. Competitions: decorative glass object – 1 G Brown, 2 A Laing; floral arrangement in teacup – 1 A Laing, 2 J Ellis; flower of the month – 1 A Laing, 2 E Crichton, 3 C Nelson. At the February meeting Malcolm Lamont from Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance spoke about his organisation and the lives it has saved. Competitions: old-fashioned remedy

– 1 C Nelson, 2 P Fyfe; embroidered bookmark – A Laing; flower of the month – 1 A Laing, 2 J Ellis, 3 C Nelson.

SILVIE and

RUTHVEN. In February president Joy Reid welcomed everyone. Competitions: two shortbread fingers – 1 M McCowan, 2 J McCowan, 3 M Irvine; small bottle lemonade – 1 J Reid, 2 L Gruneberg, 3 J McCowan; flower of the month – 1 E Nicoll, 2 G Lee, 3 M Bruce. In March president Joy Reid welcomed members and introduced Rona Nicolson, who made no bake desserts. Competitions: cream of cauliflower soup – 1 J McCowan, 2 M McCowan, 3 J Reid; small baby blanket – 1 S Swankie, 2 J Reid, 3 J Cameron; flower of the month – 1 E Nicoll, 2 J Reid, 3 M Bruce. STRATHALLAN.

President Janet McConnell welcomed members and introduced Marion Foster of Askival of Strathearn who spoke about the origins of tartan, then showed how to make a kilt. Competitions: bowl of bulbs – E Galloway; favourite plant pot – 1 J McConnell, 2 E Galloway, 3 D Thom.