SWI celebrates 90 years of proud community heritage
Members and guests of the Kilmory SWI gathered for a special lunchtime meeting at the Lagg Hotel to celebrate the 90th birthday of the insitute.
Originally founded in 1926, the group held its first meeting in the old Kilmory school hall.
After 10 years they raised enough money from the village to build Kilmory Hall, to where they relocated. They have now held meetings there for 80 years.
The hall had a wing at the side of the building, still remembered today by some of the older members as the rural room.
The institute has been very active in the community and community projects and fundraising. Over the years they have contributed massively to social causes like skill sharing, retaining traditions and especially providing friendship and fun activities for members.
Kilmory president Phyllis Picken said: ‘Reaching 90-years-old is an impressive achievement that we are incredibly proud of but, unfortunately, like many organisations in rural areas we are suffering a decline in members.
‘In the 1930s we would of had more than 70 members whereas in 2017 we will be lucky to have 17. So we urge anyone who is interested to join us at our next meeting on Monday, September 26 and to experience some of the great friendships that have been fostered.
‘A great example of some of the lifelong friendships that have been created is apparent today where members have arrived from as far afield as Gloucester to catch up with their old friends.’
At the birthday celebration treasury reports, meeting minutes and membership details dating back to 1926 were on display including that of their oldest member, Mary Morrison who is 95-years-old.
Other notable members who have received loyalty certificates for long ser- vice are Janet Mulholland with 72 years’ service and Edna Picken with 73 years’ of service.
The SWI was formed in Scotland in Longniddry, East Lothian, in 1917 and currently has approximately 17,722 members across its 747 institutes and 32 federations.