Is this the way to amaryllis? Jim Ewing judges the bulbs in the SWRI’S Angus Federation Show at Forfar Mart yesterday. Picture: Mhairi Edwards.

EVENT: New ideas and old favourites in ‘highlight of the year’, with hopes of attracting new members

Tea at the Ritz is not usually associated with livestock auction rings and cattle pens.

But this week’s show by Angus Federation of the Scottish Women’s Rural Institute (SWRI) brings the elegant concept to the Forfar Mart agricultural complex.

Women from 37 institutes throughout Angus have worked over the winter on handcrafts from spinning to book sculpture, quilting to quilling, and knitting and sewing.

They have also laid down and preserved jams and jellies, chutneys and cordials, and planted and tended bulbs.

The SWRI’S Angus Federation Show at Strathmore Hall – which is part of Forfar Mart – will showcase “home skills, handcrafts, bulb-growing, art, floral art and photography” and also includes an inter-institute contest based on representing the essential elements of afternoon tea at the Ritz.

Each institute will present an arrangement of cakes and sandwiches, alongside a summer blouse and an invitation card, with an additional “free choice” in both the edible and craft categories.

Show convener Frances Smith of Menmuir said: “We have over 1,500 entries booked.

“As a new team, we are working well together and I hope people will come and see the high standard of work on show.

“We have some new ideas this year, giving visitors a chance to participate.

“I hope they will enjoy themselves and realise there may be a place for them in our organisation.”

Supporting the broad range of membership in the organisation, there are specific classes for teenagers and others for those aged over 65.

The main classes are open to all ages. As well as admiring the exhibits, the public can look forward to enjoying the fruits of the SWRI’S home baking in the tea room throughout the event.

Federation chairwoman Maureen Macleod of Auchterhouse said: “Our annual show is the highlight of our year and is always well supported by members and the public, giving us an opportunity to showcase the fantastic talents of our members.

“We are looking forward to lots of visitors, some of whom we hope will be interested in what our organisation does and will consider joining their local institute.”

Entries arrived at the venue in strictly co-ordinated, scheduled time slots yesterday for the scrutiny of the afternoon’s army of adjudicators.

Edible entries were judged as to taste, texture and appearance; bulbs for form and conformity; and crafts for imagination and technical skill.

Today and tomorrow the entries will be on display to the public along with the judgments.

We have some new ideas this year, giving visitors a chance to participate. SHOW CONVENER FRANCES SMITH

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Les Craib and Jim Ewing judge bulbs at the SWRI Angus Federation Show.