Dumfriesshire SWI Federation President, Mima Telfer welcomed delegates from 23 institutes to the meeting in Dumfries on Saturday, October 5.
Mima reported that the federation secretary role is in transition from Val to Lou and presented Lou with a badge to signify the progress being made. She reported that SWI is now a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and thanked institutes for acknowledging this. The Summer School had been a great experience for those who participated with wonderful tuition and brilliant camaraderie. There have been several outings for judges with more to come. The parts that make up the levy were explained and members were asked to note that correspondence is sent out regularly by email to institute office bearers.
Norma Rae, reported on behalf of Jane Hogg that plans for the Federation Show on May 18 are well under way. Fundraising is vital and delegates will take quiz sheets to institutes. There will be a Race Night on February 28 at the Crichton Golf Club that should be good fun. There will be a craft fair at the show and members are asked to encourage people to take a table.
Mima then reported on the many social events organised including the Spring Walk arranged by Cairn Valley was super, the line dancing was so enjoyable that a repeat event is planned and Dumfriesshire was represented at the SW area lunch. The consultation notes made at the National Office Bearers Gathering in September will be collated. May MacCormick reached the final four of the national outstanding member competition. Everyone is pleased that she has been recognised for all she does for SWI. Two teams, Applegarth & Sibbaldbie and Canonbie represent Dumfriesshire at the National Ruralympics in Kirriemuir.
Looking forward, there will be a hints and tips for showing afternoon at Locharbriggs Community Centre on Sunday, October 20 from 1.30pm when advice and encouragement will be offered, and questions answered. The Autumn Federation Walk, organised by Mid Nithsdale is on October 26, starting from Thornhill. The Federation Quiz on November 1 at Dumfries High School is all ready to go. The carpet bowling pairs competition is on November 9. The country dancing afternoon at Locharbriggs taken by national president, Mary Burney, is for all abilities with an emphasis on fun. Institutes have information about all of these.
Dates for diaries – Ruralympics, February 15, Race Night, February 28 and line dancing provisionally for June 1.
Treasurer, Liz Walters gave an update on finances, thanking treasurers for providing accounts and evidence as required. Headquarters have paid for Zoom so no travel costs for meetings is a good saving. Members are encouraged to buy from the sales table.
Federation reports
Entries can be made until November 4 for the national photography competition, Our Fragile World.
Handcrafts, Marjorie Pringle: The Evelyn Baxter class taken by Jessie Meikle was so successful that ladies paid to have an extra day to extend their skills with measuring, cutting personalised patterns and machine sewing. Next year the subject is macrame.
Homeskills, Helen Braid: Many thanks were given to those who helped with the tea/coffee and biscuits at the line dancing afternoon.
Group reports
Cairn Valley: There was an excellent willow weaving class where members made bird feeders or angels. There will be a Musical Evening on November 21 to which all SWI members are invited.
Eskdale: All institutes entered at Langholm Show and Liz Walters, Canonbie is congratulated for winning many trophies. Ewes SWI organise monthly walks to which others are invited. Canonbie is holding a hand patchwork class in November. A homeskills class on Free From Cookery will be arranged in the new year.
Lower Annandale: There is a handcraft class on Powertex by Northstone on October 19. The Jenkins Cup Show is at Gretna on October 26 and a photography class will be held in January 2025.
Mid Annandale: Discussions about the next Group Show continue. Mid Annandale will host the Federation Spring Walk on May 31. The crochet class at the end of September has been postponed because the tutor has a broken arm.
Lower Nithsdale: A coffee and cake afternoon when show entry was discussed, followed by the AGM has been held. Collin SWI had a lovely evening at The Woodlands to celebrate their 60 anniversary. Jean Wilson was honoured for her numerous achievements and service to the Rural over many years. Long service awards were also made to other members. There is a papercraft class on October 19.
Mid Nithsdale: The AGM was held on September 4. Arrangements for the Federation Walk from Thornhill on October 26 have been finalised and non members are welcome to join in. The schedules for the Group Show in February have been issued and there will be a glass painting class on November 30.
Sports
Carpet bowling: The pairs competition will be held at Kirkton Village Hall on November 12.
Golf: There was a good day of competition on May 31 at Powfoot Golf Club and the trophy was presented by Vice President Norma Rae to winners Frances Harwood and Lynne Scott.
Bowling: Many thanks to Isobel Moffat for stepping up at the last minute to run the competition. A successful day was held at Lochmaben Bowling Club and thanks to them for allowing the use of their green. The winners, Tinwald and runners up, Wamphray represented Dumfriesshire at the National Finals at Helensburgh with the Tinwald ladies winning the National Trophy, the first time since 1969 the competition has been won by Dumfriesshire. Congratulations to them.
Other business: Institutes are asked to send new membership forms to the Federation Secretary who will forward them to HQ. Stadium bowling has been cancelled and it has been agreed to repurpose the trophy for Ruralympics starting in February. Some members are not sure about the structure of SWI with institutes, groups, federation etc and federation secretary, Lou volunteered to make up a leaflet and asked that any members with ideas about things to include should email her.
Vice-President Norma Rae gave the vote of thanks. Th next meeting is on Saturday, December 7.