Retired head gardener addresses the ladies of Downpatrick WI

Retired head gardener addresses the ladies of Downpatrick WI

17 May 2023

THE vice-president, Geraldine Gray, welcomed members to the May meeting of Downpatrick Women’s Institute.

There was a particularly special welcome for new member Vivienne Jordan.

Congratulations were extended on Downpatrick WI receiving the Pearl Shaw Cup at the Area spring meeting.

The cup is presented to the Institute which gained the most points scored in Federation competitions during 2022.

The guest speaker was Averil Milligan, retired head gardener at Rowallane Garden in Saintfield and a maker of handmade soap.

She gave a wonderful presentation on the theme of ‘spring gardens’, which included photographs of plants used during her time at Rowallane and the plants and grasses grown at her home.

She also provided lots of useful tips about planting conditions, flowering; flowers that are ideal for cutting, as well as edible flowers for salads. Judith Harper gave the vote of thanks. 

Rachel McCoubrey and Veronica McVeigh provided the tea along with delicious treats.The competition for a flower in a jar, was won by Margaret Orr, with Florence Hazlett second. Anne Liggett won the ballot, and the birthday girl was Sharon McVeigh.

Quoile Area Choir musical director Judith Harper thanked members for their donation last month and was delighted to announce that the choir has purchased a portable keyboard.

Congratulations were also extended to choir for their success at the Federation’s music festival at Templepatrick where they won the Deborah Horan Trophy for best overall choir and Margaret Taylor was named best trained soprano.

Best wishes were also extended to the Downpatrick Super Quiz team who will represent the Quoile Area at the Federation final in Carnmoney on May 23.

Crossgar WI

THE president Sandra Phillips welcomed everyone to the May meeting of Crossgar Women’s Institute, including Stephanie Bailey, from Time Steps, Medieval Medicine, Omagh.

Dressed in full period costume, she gave an entertaining talk on the delights and horrors of 16th century medicine. 

Some of the ladies participated and interacted with good humour throughout the session. Patricia Murray gave a vote of thanks to Stephanie for a throughly fun evening.

The competition for an old herbal remedy was won by Lourdy Conlon, while the birthday girl of the month was Elizabeth Hutchinson, who also won the ballot.