Lady Mary Peter is special guest at spring gathering in Seaforde

24 April 2024

SEAFORDE YFC Hall was filled to capacity for the annual spring meeting of Quoile Area Women’s Institute on Wednesday evening.

The event was attended by members of local Women’s Institutes and the special guest was Lady Mary Peters, who presented the prizes.

Interviewed by Margaret Broome, WI Federation chairman, Lady Mary gave an enlightening insight into her amazing life and all she had achieved in the world of athletics.

After her gold medal triumph in the pentathlon at the 1972 Munich Olympics, she worked tirelessly in raising funds for the construction of an athletics track in Belfast as well as The Mary Peters Trust for the benefit of young sports enthusiasts.

She received several honours for her services to sport and the community.

She said her only regret was that her late mother did not live to see all she had achieved, in particular her gold medal win at Munich, becoming a Dame and then Lady of the Garter, and her role in the coronation of King Charles.

The Quoile Area Choir entertained the audience with a selection of uplifting songs while the ladies from Crossgar WI provided a very enjoyable supper.

Award winners

Elizabeth Hazley Rosebowl: Margaret Taylor (Downpatrick WI).

Festival of the Spoken Word: Edwina Marr (Downpatrick WI).

Scrap booking front cover: Mary Young (Spa WI).

Scrap booking single page: Babs Bassett (Spa WI).

Novice scrapbook: Spa WI.

Pearl Shaw Cup: 1st Downpatrick WI, 2nd Spa WI.

Area Quiz Cup: Spa WI.

Area Bowl Cup: Lorna Stevenson (Crossgar WI).

Ribbons: Babs Bassett (Spa WI).

Petals and Pots Cup (floral): 1st Lorraine Bothwell (Seaforde WI), 2nd Babs Bassett, 3rd Edith Edgar.

Nora Lennon Cup (baking): 1st Sandra Connelly (Spa WI), 2nd Jane Portner, 3rd Gerry Gray (Downpatrick WI).

Craft: 1st Fiona Patterson (Spa WI), 2nd Margaret Eynon (Crossgar WI), 3rd Sandra Connelly.

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