Scottish Women's Rural Institutes

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 98 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

Aboyne - 3rd Tuesday
Alford - 2nd Thursday
Ardallie - 2nd Wednesday
Ardmiddle - 3rd Wednesday
Auchedly & Ythanbank - 2nd Wednesday
Auchnagatt - 2nd Thursday
Balgownie - 1st Tuesday
Ballater - 3rd Wednesday
Barthol Chapel - 3rd Wednesday
Belhelvie - 2nd Wednesday
Birkenhills - Tuesday
Blackhills & District - 2nd Tuesday
Bogbrae - 2nd Tuesday
Bourtie - 3rd Wednesday
Boyndlie - 3rd Thursday
Braemar - 3rd Tuesday
Bucksburn & District - Wednesday
Cairnbanno - 2nd Wednesday
Cairnorrie - 3rd Thursday
Campfield & Glassel - 1st Tuesday
Chapel of Garioch - 1st Thursday
Cluny - 3rd Wednesday
Collieston & Slains - 2nd Monday
Corse Ythanwells - 1st Tuesday
Crimond - 3rd Tuesday
Cruden Bay - 1st Tuesday
Crudie - 1st Wednesday
Cullerlie Garlogie - 3rd Thursday
Culsalmond - 1st Thursday
Culter - 1st Thursday
Cultercullen - 2nd Tuesday
Cults & District - 1st Thursday
Daviot - 1st Thursday
Drumblade - 2nd Tuesday
Drumoak - Thursday
Dyce & District - 2nd Thursday
Echt - 2nd Wednesday
Esslemont - 1st Thursday
Fetternear - 3rd Tuesday
Fintray (Dyce) - 2nd Wednesday
Fintry(Turriff) - 3rd Thursday
Finzean - 3rd Thursday
Fisherford - 3rd Thursday
Forgue - 1st Tuesday
Fyvie & District - 3rd Monday
Glass - 1st Thursday
Granite City - 4th Wednesday
Insch - 3rd Wednesday (afternoon)
Keithhall - 1st Thursday
Kemnay - 3rd Thursday

Kildrummy - 3rd Wednesday
Kincardine O'Neil - 2nd Wednesday
Kinellar - 1st Wednesday
King Edward - 3rd Wednesday
Kingswells - 2nd Tuesday
Kinnoir - 3rd Tuesday
Kintore - 1st Tuesday
Largie - 2nd Wednesday
Largue - 4th Wednesday
Leochel Cushnie - 2nd Wednesday
Logie Coldstone - 2nd Wednesday
Logie Durno - 2nd Thursday
Lonach - 2nd Tuesday
Longside - 3rd Thursday
Lonmay - 3rd Wednesday
Lumphanan - 4th Thursday
Lyne of Skene - 3rd Wednesday
Maud - 3rd Tuesday
Midmar - 2nd Wednesday
Millbrex - 2nd Monday
Mintlaw - 1st Wednesday
Monquhitter - 3rd Thursday
Monymusk - 3rd Wednesday
New Aberdour - 2nd Wednesday
Newburgh - 1st Tuesday
New Byth - 3rd Wednesday
New Deer - 2nd Tuesday
Newmachar - 3rd Thursday
New Pitsligo - 3rd Tuesday
Oldmeldrum - 3rd Monday
Oldwhat - 3rd Thursday
O'Neil Corse - 3rd Tuesday
Peathill - 3rd Tuesday
Port Elphinstone - 3rd Tuesday
Premnay - 2nd Wednesday
Rayne - 1st Tuesday
Rhynie - 2nd Thursday
Rothienorman - 3rd Wednesday
Ruthven - 3rd Wednesday
Sandhaven - 2nd Thursday
Skene Central - 1st Wednesday
St Combs - 1st Wednesday
Strichen - 3rd Thursday
Tap O Noth - 1st Thursday
Tipperty - 2nd Thursday
Torphins - 4th Tuesday
Tortorston - 2nd Monday
Tullynessle & Forbes - 1st Tuesday
Westhill - 3rd Tuesday

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