SWRI Aberdeenshire Federation

Aberdeenshire Federation was established in 1930 although its first 4 'Rurals' started in 1918. Today, Aberdeenshire has over 2,000 members in 96 Institutes located all over the North East of Scotland. These have been sub-divided into 11 Groups according to area. Each Rural is represented at Group level and a Representative from each Group sits on the Federation Committee.

The Federation Office is located in Esslemont Avenue in the heart of the City of Aberdeen and acts as a central resource for members. It can be used for meetings, training, craft classes or just as a place to obtain advice and information.

Aberdeenshire organises a variety of activities throughout the year for its members ranging from Baking and Crochet to Drama and Golf. Members, whether old or new, novice or experienced, are welcomed at all events and encouraged to take part.

Over the course of a year we have regular competitions starting with the Bulb Shows . This, of course, is not only a show for green fingered members, but encompasses all types of handcrafts and baking. As there are 11 Groups, there are 11 Shows.

Our Showcase of the year is Country comes to Town . This is open to all Institutes and is a very lively and well represented event. Held over 2 days, and open to the public, this show allows all members to show off their expertise whether it be knitting, sewing, flower arranging, baking or some other skill.

As well as the above competitions, the Aberdeenshire Federation organises sporting events such as Golf , Indoor and Outdoor Bowling and Curling . Institutes can enter teams or individuals to compete in any or all of the above and beginners are always welcome, as well as the more qualified. Fortunately, the North East of Scotland has excellent facilities for all of the above sports and occasionally, sporting contests are arranged in conjunction with SWRI Headquarters in Edinburgh where members throughout Scotland can take part. Some members welcome gentler forms of exercise so Ruralympics is greatly appreciated. Teams compete against each other in events such as netball throwing, dribbling with a hockey stick, running whilst balancing a bean-bag on your head and other not-too-energetic group games.

As some members are not craft or sport orientated, a number of other activities take place throughout the year. Drama contests, Variations on a Theme competition (prose and poetry readings based on a given theme), Quiz evenings and Choir competitions are organised both for individual Institutes and as a Federation. These are very well supported and are extremely popular.

In the last couple of years Aberdeenshire Federation has held a Taste and Try Day where members can attend a day-long event and try a new craft. They can attend up to six classes, each lasting two hours, on a variety of different and interesting crafts. In the past, these have included Silk Painting, Calligraphy, Straw Weaving and Decoupage. These days have proved to be very popular with all who attended and a number of new and interesting suggestions have been put forward for the forthcoming event.

Aberdeenshire Federation Institutes