SWRI Selkirkshire Federation

Selkirkshire is one of the smaller Federations in Scotland, situated in the South East area and surrounded by Roxburghshire, Dumfriesshire, Peeblesshire and Midlothian.

Selkirkshire Institutes

Committee members represent each Institute at quarterly meetings of the Federation. A Federation Chairman is appointed for a three year period. As well as general business and reports that arise, classes, demonstrations and shows are arranged at these meetings. Members get the opportunity to enrol for classes and activities covering a wide range of subjects. Floral Art, Calligraphy, Silk Painting, Tapestry, Carpet Bowling.

Our Federation Show is held in the Victoria Hall in Selkirk every year and a half. Each Institute in turn provides a convenor to oversee arrangements. Classes for handcraft, baking, preserves and floral art are included as well as novice and community sections. Individual and Institute trophies are competed for.

Institutes meet on a monthly basis during the months from September through to May. A typical meeting would include a speaker or demonstrator followed by any business requiring discussion. Monthly competitions and a raffle are generally included as well as a chance to mingle and enjoy some refreshment.

Each Institute welcomes newcomers to the area and invites them to attend our meetings. We also welcome members from other Institutes who may be visiting Selkirkshire - please come and join us, we welcome your support.

Caddonfoot: Based in and around Clovenfords, west of Galashiels. As well as SWRI, locals can take part in Scottish country dancing, yoga and badminton at the village hall and weekly coffee mornings at the hotel. The village has an annual flower show and waymarked walks in the surrounding countryside.

Ettrick: A rural community in the upper reaches of the Ettrick valley. Forestry and farming are predominant in this area, which is abundant with wildlife. The Southern Upland Way long distance footpath crosses from here to St Mary's Loch. Two caravan sites and the Ettrick Marshes wetland project make this a popular destination for summer visitors.

Ettrickbridge: The lower part of the Ettrick valley incorporates the village of Ettrickbridge with its busy community. A school and local inn are all situated in the village, as is the hall, which is well used for community events as well as WRI. Bowhill, home of the Duke of Buccleuch, which houses the James Hogg exhibition, is nearby.

Fountainhall: This December (2010) we celebrated our 85th birthday and we have members today whose relatives were the founder members. Our members come from the villages of Stow, Fountainhall and the surrounding area. At present we have 29 members from all age groups who come along to enjoy good informative talks and demonstrations ranging from bee-keeping, travel, craft, cooking and baking, hands-on workshops and cultural and social outings. We also run weekend classes in various crafts and attended classes arranged by the Federation in conjunction with Headquarters.

Our monthly competitions are well supported as are the Federation Shows when we usually have a number of prize winners.

Our aim is to encourage all our members to participate in our activities and to learn from and enjoy all that we take part in. We would warmly welcome new members to come along and join us and to share our laughter, learning and friendship we all enjoy each month. Contact details and an up-to-date syllabus will be on the Stow Community website under Organisations/Community

Lindean: A small hamlet by the A7, two miles north of Selkirk, with a nearby small loch frequented by trout fishers. A local artist takes classes in the village hall, which has a busy programme of activities including line dancing and bowling. A blacksmith, plant nursery and glass making studio all feature close by. In late June the Galashiels Braw Lad leads a cavalcade of riders to the war memorial for a symbolic wreath laying ceremony.

St Mary's: Situated at Cappercleuch where the Meggat and Yarrow valleys meet at St Mary's Loch. Fishing and walking are popular pastimes for visitors to this area. The annual open air service "The Blanket Preaching" is held in July at the old kirkyard overlooking the loch. Served by two local hostelries, Tibbie Shiel's and the Gordon Arms, at one time frequented by James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd. St Mary's Rural members organise an annual bus outing in June.

Yarrowford: Further down the valley the village of Yarrowford lies by the Yarrow water. This is a farming community with much of the land owned by the Duke of Buccleuch and Philiphaugh estates. The annual Yarrow and Ettrick Pastoral Society show is held here each September. Another busy hall which, as well as WRI meetings, hosts an annual Burns Supper, regular dances and whist drives. Yarrowford Institute attracts membership from the town of Selkirk, which is only a few miles away.