Bridge of Cally WRI
Bridge of Cally WRI was formed in 1933; recently we celebrated our 70th birthday with a meal and theatre outing to Pitlochry. Our current membership is 26, some ladies come out from Blairgowrie – mainly those who have lived in the Bridge of Cally area in the past and maintain their connection with the village.
Meetings are held in the village hall on the first Tuesday of each month from September to June, our final meeting for the session taking the form of a coffee evening to augment funds. In addition we raise money for charity at a Christmas Carol concert, open to all the community, and this year a Silent Auction raised £830 for the Scottish War Blinded.
We try to arrange meetings to suit our members’ varied interests and many have found new hobbies and pastimes through “the Rural” - we have all shared fun and friendship. New members are always welcome, or come as a visitor before you commit yourself – we are a happy, friendly group of mixed ages and lifestyles.
Kirkmichael and District SWRI
Background
The first Woman’s Institute was formed at Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada in the year 1897. Its object was to form a society for women comparable with the Society for men known as the Farmers Institute. Gradually the Movement spread to Europe arriving in Scotland 1917. Kirkmichael and District SWRI were founded in 1935. The Scottish WRI's aims are:
- To advance the education and training of those who live and work in the country, or are interested in country life, in home skills, family welfare and citizenship.
- To promote the preservation of Scotland’s traditions and its rural heritage interested in the country life, in home skills, family welfare and citizenship.
- To promote the provision of facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreational and leisure time occupation so that the conditions of life of people who live in the country, or are interested in country life, may be improved.
Kirkmichael and District SWRI Meetings
The Kirkmichael and District SWRI meet on the second Thursday of the Month, normally in Kirkmichael Village Hall from September to June.
Most meetings include Institute business, a talk or demonstration and the opportunity to meet other members. Every year the syllabus is different and varied. In 2004 - 2005 the subjects included talks on Local Legends and Guide Dogs for the Blind and demonstrations included Batik, Sugar Craft and Relaxation.
Members can join other members both locally and nationally; attend classes in craft or cookery, go to summer school, join a drama group, sing in a choir, go on a study tour at home or abroad and take part in sport from curling and walking, to 4x4 driving and abseiling.
Come for a visit and see what we can offer. For further details contact the Secretary: Mrs B Davys - 01250 881483
Mount Blair WRI
Mount Blair WRI meetings are held in the Blackwater Hall on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7pm, beginning with our opening meeting in September and ending with our AGM in May. We have at this moment 14 members and our membership is £10 but if you only wish to join us for the evening you would be made very welcome and we only ask for a donation of £1 from visitors. Our meetings begin with any business followed by the introduction of our Speaker/Demonstrator of whom we have a variety including cooking, sewing, flower arranging, history to name but a few. We end the meeting with tea & goodies provided by the hostesses for the evening and finally a small raffle. We enter competitions arranged by Blairgowrie Group and Perth & Kinross Federation and join with the other rurals in the area for the McMillan Walk and for one of our monthly meetings with Kirkmichael WRI. Finally we hold a whist drive for our own funds in October.
