Scottish Women's Rural Institutes

SWRI Shetland Federation

INSTITUTES
19 in number, they are scattered over the Islands. Most meet monthly, usually from September to May. New members are always welcome. Programmes are varied to suit many tastes - serious, educational, recreational etc. Some are a great deal of fun! Many have the popular Sunday Teas in the summer, and other events over the year.

FEDERATION
Spring and Autumn Federation Meetings are held in Lerwick every year, when delegates discuss business matters. Members are encouraged to attend as observers. It is a good opportunity to meet and get to know members from other parts of Shetland. At the Spring meeting, 2 special trophy competitions are held, also the Federation level of National Competitions such as the Anne Wallace Trophy Competition. At the same time, the popular Options Raffle is held.

Weekend Residential Schools For some time now, a biennial school has been organised, usually in June, at the Voxter Outdoor Centre. Two tutors, 20 students and 4 cooks/kitchen staff can be accommodated. Class subjects have included spinning, fine lace knitting, crochet, copper tooling, goldwork, silk painting, mixed crafts etc. and perhaps the most popular one - watercolour painting. Two different subjects are being introduced this year - stained glass and card stamping. Four members do the highly praised catering, and the weekends are very enjoyable and good fun too. On a few occasions, a weekend school has been held in the Sumburgh Hotel when patchwork, quilling etc have been taught.

Show A biennial show is held in Lerwick in late August, with sections for knitting, needlework, arts and crafts, photographs, baking, preserves, produce and flowers. The Town Hall makes a lovely setting for this well supported Show of high quality goods.

Autumn Fayre This is held occasionally in various country districts in alternate years with the Show. Institutes compete for the best stall, and for the Orkney Trophy awarded for the Institute Competition. There is also an individual Competition. A get-together for the members and the general public.

Schools, Classes and Demonstrations from Headquarters We take advantage of these whenever possible.

Other Events Fashion Shows, Exhibitions, Silent Auctions, etc are interesting events which are organised from time to time. Details are advertised locally.

Whatever we do, we learn a lot, we make friends, we welcome others to share the friendship and fun of being a 'Rural Member'.

Shetland Institutes
Baltasound, Unst
Bixter
Boddam
Burravoe, Yell
Cullivoe, Yell
Hamnavoe, Burra
Lerwick
Mid Yell
Nesting & Girlsta
Ollaberry
Sandwick
Scalloway
Sound & District
Tingwall
Vidlin
Walls
West Sandwick
Whalsay
Whiteness & Weisdale

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