Women’s Institutes awards spring meeting celebrations

Women’s Institutes awards spring meeting celebrations

16 April 2025

LOCAL Women’s Institutes came together to celebrate the season with fashion, music and awards at their annual spring meeting recently.

The Institutes within the Rowallane area, covering Annahilt, Boardmills, Carryduff, Moneyreagh, Newtownbreda and Saintfield, gathered at Temple Golf Club for the meeting hosted by Boardmills WI.

The event drew a large and enthusiastic audience and began with a talk from local fashion designer Stephen Mageean.

Stephen is known for his work with some of the world’s leading fashion houses and he delighted attendees with tales from the world of haute couture.

He shared his extensive experiences in the fashion industry and offered valuable tips on dressing for women of all shapes, sizes and ages, leaving the audience inspired and ready to revamp their wardrobes.

The evening’s programme also included musical entertainment from local artist Robert McEvoy, who had everyone singing along to some favourite ballads.

Brenda Richardson, the Rowallane area executive member and chairwoman of the Federation of Women’s Institutes in Northern Ireland, gave an update on the latest activities and initiatives of the Women’s Institutes across the country.

She encouraged members to promote the WI as widely as possible and in different ways, from post box toppers through to attending public events such as county shows. 

Brenda also presented the Area awards, recognising excellence in cookery, craft, floral art, bowls and quizzing, before the evening was brought to a close with the Countrywoman’s Song.

The event was supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.