Scottish Women's Rural Institutes

SWRI Wigtownshire Federation

Wigtownshire Federation SWRI - do come and join us!
Have YOU a spare evening every month when you could meet up with friends and neighbours and enjoy, as well as a chat and a cuppa, interesting talks, demonstrations, (sometimes it's even hands on - so you can try it yourself), outings to places of interest, even the occasional party?

THEN YOUR LOCAL RURAL IS JUST THE PLACE FOR YOU.
There are 24 different ones all over Wigtownshire from Mull to Kirkcolm, Portpatrick to Wigtown, Isle of Whithorn to Challoch (who meet in Newton Stewart!) - so there must be one near you. Every Rural is different, it's run by its own members and you will be made very welcome at any of them. You might like to visit one or two before deciding which to join. It usually costs about £1 to be a guest for an evening - and membership is very reasonable too. As a member you are welcome at not only all your own Rural's meetings, parties and outings but also at all the Federation (county) events (like those mentioned below). You'll hear all about them at monthly meetings - or ask the President or Secretary if there are any that you are particularly interested in. They are organised for all members both old and new so please come and join in!

Do you enjoy golf? We have a Federation competition in July. Is bowling your game? Our Outdoor competition is in June and Indoor at Newton Stewart in February. Maybe you are a curler? We have a competition at Stranraer Ice Rink in January.

Would you like to learn a new craft? Maybe Hardanger embroidery, stumpwork, basketwork, decoupage or calligraphy? We have classes every year and can find tutors for almost any subject!

Do you find public speaking a challenge? We have, from time to time, competitions such as Matter of Opinion, quizzes and poetry reading.

Are you interested in improving your skills by taking tests in crafts or cookery? Our judges give very constructive criticism. We have housewives and handcrafts tests regularly with pre-test schools, open to any members interested.

Have you ever thought of giving others the opportunity of seeing the beautiful work or delicious baking and preserves you may already produce? Any member can enter our Federation Show held every other autumn. Even if you don't enter, do come along!

Do you enjoy going out and about with your friends - or maybe you can't always find company? We have an annual outing to places like Alnwick Castle, Mount Stewart House and Gardens in Northern Ireland and the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. You'd be very welcome.

Do you like working with others on challenging projects? Every year we try to have a different idea. We have held a 'Healthy Living Day' at our local leisure centre. We have had a flower festival with a display of crafts and a fascinating recreation of a sitting room of the fifties, a party when each Rural took the stage for a few minutes to give us their interpretation of 'Times Past' and a concert with lots of talent. Happy occasions which have at times raised considerable sums for local charities. Perhaps you could be involved in our next time.

YOU SURELY CAN'T TURN DOWN SUCH EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES.

Wigtownshire Federation SWRI - do come and join us!

YOU are not sure if you qualify to access this interesting world?
- we have members as young as thirteen and some equally as active at ninety plus
- we have ladies who work as nurses, teachers, in banks and offices, farmers' wives, retired ladies, etc.
- some members have been going to their Rural for 30, 40 or 50 years and others have only just joined
- some have lived in the area all their lives and others have just moved in (they find it's a great way to meet folks!)

YOU MUST FIT IN THERE SOMEWHERE!

YOU are not sure about the commitment?
* YOU might only want to pop along to meetings that interest you,
* YOU may be especially interested in learning new crafts,
* YOU might really want to play in the sporting competitions
* YOU perhaps enjoy the friendly competition at shows and at Institute competitions
* YOU may want the challenge of being more involved,many members never realised their hidden talents before they became Rural members!
* YOU may particularly enjoy the social meetings, outings and parties, visiting other Rurals and meeting members from all over! Rural ladies are a happy bunch who enjoy lots of fun and laughter together.

If YOU fit into ONE of the above categories then YOU should become a member!
YOU CAN BECOME AS INVOLVED AS YOU WISH!

How do YOU find out where and when there are meetings?
* Look out for posters in shop windows
* Ask in the local shop or post office or ask a friend or neighbour. (If she's not a member, bring her along too!)

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

Cairnryan
Challoch (meeting in Newton Stewart)
Dunragit
Glasserton (meeting in Whithorn)
Glenluce
Glen of Luce (meeting in Auchenmalg)
Isle of Whithorn
Kirkcolm
Kirkcowan
Kirkinner
Lochans
Longcastle (meeting in Whauphill)
Loudon (meeting in Wigtown)
Meoul (meeting in Lochans)
Mull(meeting in Drummore)
Port Logan
Portpatrick
Portwilliam
Sandhead
Sorbie
Stoneykirk
Whithorn
Wigtown

Back to 'Where are the Institutes ?'

Back to Map