THE RURAL - CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SWI The Scottish Women’s Rural Institute was founded in 1917 by Catherine
Blair who had been active in the Suff ragette Movement. Catherine, an East Lothian farmer’s wife, recognised the need for women in rural areas to meet together to share ideas and skills with others and also to
socialise with other women. This is still true today where education and training is available through the many homecrafts and housewives classes that are provided. Skills are also passed on at Institute level too by many talented members sharing their hobbies with others.
The 100 Year Birthday Celebrations are ongoing throughout 2017 with exhibitions in Edinburgh at the Headquarters. An eryngium fl ower (available to buy from the local Federation) called “Catherine Blair” has been produce by a Kirkcudbrightshire nursery in memory of the founder. A tree planting ceremony will be held in Edinburgh. A new cook book will also be published with recipes from members as well as celebrity chefs. Each federation is holding a Tea In The Park on 2nd July, with that of Stirling Clackmannan and West Perthshire Federation (SCWP) having there’s in The Queen Victoria School, Dunblane. Each institute has a member making a sample square of needlecraft depicting some aspect of their area and these will be joined to make banners. Many more events will take place throughout Scotland.
Recently the Organisation changed its name to Scottish Women’s Institute - SWI, dropping the word Rural from the title, something which many members did not like. It is still spoken of as “THE RURAL” by many members. The modernisation of the SWI has brought an increase in members in the past year with some new Institutes forming and women in many in town and city areas being encouraged to join. New style meetings have had car maintenance, wine tasting, book folding, for example, joining the more traditional speakers and demonstrators.
Sadly this increase in membership has not happened in this local area with the closure of Doune Institute 2 years ago and membership In Dunblane SWI dropping each year. We would love to have some “new blood” joining us and are sure there are women in the area who could enjoy a once a month get together with others to hear and watch demonstrators and speakers as well as join in making arts and crafts or learn about homemaking skills.
The Dunblane Institute Meetings during the rest of this session are: March 22nd – Guide Dogs for the Blind, April 26th - Eileen Wilson of Swallow Ceramics May 10th - Daphne Clark, Tillicoultry President speaking about her crafting hobbies.
The Dunblane SWI meetings are held in the Victoria Halls in Dunblane at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome at any of these meetings and the committee would be delighted to hear from anyone wishing to join the Institute in the next session. Further information from: - Fiona Campbell (Dunblane SWI Secretary).
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