SWRI Mull & Tiree Federation

Mull & Tiree Federation has six Institutes . Modern technology keeps us together - not just the indispensable phone and fax, but email can send information to everyone.

Where and when do you meet? Institutes meet once a month, usually between September and May, and visitors are always made very welcome.

Dervaig meets in the Church Hall on the first Wednesday of the month, Sept - May
Fionnphort meets in Creich Hall on the first Wednesday of the month,  Sept- March
Salen meets in the Coffee Pot on the first Wednesday of the month, Sept-May
Tobermory meets in the High School on the first Tuesday of the month, Sept-May
Torosay meets in Craignure Hall on the first Monday of the month, Sept-April
Tiree meets in Resource Centre, Crossapool on the third Wednesday of the month

What do you do at your monthly meetings? We have talks and demonstrations about crafts, cookery, social issues, chemistry in action, wine appreciation, places of interest and many other interesting topics. Often the demonstration is "hands on" - pottery, painting, aromatherapy and ribbon flowers are more fun to do than watch.

Where do the speakers come from? Some speakers live locally and some come from a distance.

What do you like best about being a member of SWRI? Every meeting is different and every meeting is fun, and being a member is like being part of a family

Do you take part in events with members from other parts of Scotland? We send a team to Variations on a Theme - a verse and prose speaking competition. We also take part in the National and H&H Conferences.

Does it cost a lot to join SWRI? Every institute sets its own membership fee but it averages about £5 to £10 a year.

What about craft classes? We have one and two-day schools to learn a new craft in more depth - in the last year we have had machine embroidery, china painting and rag dolls.

Do you only meet once a month? We have several meetings as a Federation during the year. As well as business meetings, we have the Federation Show when members show their skills at crafts and baking; we have the Rally which is usually fancy dress; we have the summer social when we hear about decisions and plans at Central Council; and we have the inter-institute quiz

Do you help other groups? We raise money for good causes, teach crafts to the Brownies, have parties for senior citizens, and help (usually making the teas!) at bigger events on both islands.

Does everything happen indoors? We take part in sponsored walks, go on field trips to study geology and wildlife, and have even tried steering the lifeboat.

Do you go on trips? We go to SWRI events in Edinburgh and elsewhere, and have Federation outings. Some members have been on study tours at home and abroad.

How do you keep in touch? Every household in the islands of Argyll now has a free computer as part of the Digital Communities Initiative, thus we are now able to send a Federation newsletter to each member.

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