News from the institutes

ABDIE. Members were given a talk on Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. Competitions: pumpkin dish – 1 K Baird, 2 S Stuart; autumn photo – 1 S Stuart, 2 C Melville; flower of the month – 1 K Baird, 2 L Gourley, 3 S Stuart. Abdie hosted the Cupar Group meeting and entertained with a fashion show of outfits from the last 100 years. Cults and District won the Crawford Cup and Penny Wiles, Balmullo SWI, won the Nicholson Trophy.

ABERNETHY. President Elizabeth Taylor introduced Andrea, from Glenfarg Candle Co, who demonstrated candle making. Competitions: sultana loaf – 1 B Baird, 2 C Pye, 3 E Taylor; flower of the month – 1 E Taylor, 2 M Cole, 3 C Pye.

AMULREE. The October meeting was the annual bingo tea.

BALBEGGIE. Ladies met at Café Giraffe, Perth, a charity which was founded by Juliette and Russel Joffe and Andrew Jacobs in London in 1998. Café manager Sarah Bradley spoke about the charity. BIRNAM and DUNKELD. A defibrillator group from Pitlochry High School demonstrated CPR. BLACKFORD. Lexa McCallum presided and introduced Jamie Maxwell of Thorntons Chocolates, who spoke about the history of the company. Competitions: Florentines – 1 N Sinclair, 2S Stewart, 3 M Hanslip; limerick about chocolate – 1 M Hanslip, 2 E Coffield, 3 A Gaunt; flower of the month – N Sinclair. BLAIRINGONE.

Vice-president Mary Ramsay introduced Jay Hutchison, who demonstrated the art of felting. Competitions: Christmas decoration – 1 M Mitchell, 2 M Cousar, 3 I Warnock; flower of the month – F Clark. BURRELTON and WOODSIDE. Vice-president Margaret Linley introduced Aileen Davidson who demonstrated chair yoga. Competitions: cheese straws – 1 A Haughs, 2 C Pickthall, 3 K Pirie; hedgerow arrangement in jar – 1 A Robertson, 2 S Urie, 3 M Gordon; flower of the month – M Constable. BUTTERSTONE.

Sheila Bruges presided. Carol MacGill from Pitlochry Flower Club gave tips on floral art. Competition: posy – 1 S Bruges, 2 S Mannion, 3 I O’Connor; visitor’s prize – J Wightman, Clunie.

CARNBO. Members celebrated their 90th anniversary. President Jay Hutchison introduced Elaine Hopley, Atlantic solo rower world record holder, who spoke about her achievement. Competitions: flower of the month – 1 L Band, 2 C Mearns; snack – 1 S Malcolm, 2 L Band. Jay presented all the trophies won by Carnbo at the Kinross Show.

CARSE. Doreen Arnott and Friends entertained with songs and music. Competitions: pancakes – 1 A Scott (Inchture), 2 J Rougvie (Collace and Kinrossie), 3 E Coghill (Glencarse); knitted beanie hat – 1 K Clarke (Longforgan), 2 J Rougvie, 3 M Grant (Glencarse); three applethemed items (Margaret Gordon Inter-Institute Trophy) – Collace and Kinrossie. CLEISH. Helen Buchanan presided. Dave Roy from Central Fife Crime Prevention spoke about scams and personal safety. Competitions: scone – 1 F Barnfather, 2 A Thomson, 3 A Bayne; limerick – 1 M Laird, 2 A Thomson, 3 E Glennie; flower of the month – 1 E Glennie, 2 J Craig, 3 M Laird.

CLUNIE. Kate Gregory from Moyness Nurseries demonstrated planting pots for winter displays. Competitions: arrangement in a mug

– 1 J Wightman, 2 M Webster, 3 D Plummer; flower of the month – 1 A Andrew, 2 M Webster. COLLACE and KINROSSIE. Rachel Bower led a workshop on fused glass at Create at Nest in Blairgowrie. Competitions: cupcakes – 1 L Donaldson, 2 S Gray; decorated mask – 1 M Langelaan, 2 A Mailer.

COMRIE. Mairi Philp presided at the 89th birthday party. Competitions: tartan article – 1 M Gregory, 2 W Henry; birthday cupcake – 1 W Henry. ERROL. Helen Mitchell presided. Speaker was Michelle Porter from the charity ABC Africa. Competitions: baby’s hat – 1 J Lawson, 2 M Kelly; ornament – 1 F Ramsay, 2 J Lawson, 3 B Lewis; flower of the month – J Lawson.