Great turn-out of members as Knockagh Area WI holds spring meeting

A great turn-out of members enjoyed an evening of competitions, entertainment, and some business.

Area Chairman, Sharon Carson, assisted by Deborah McNabney, both of Muckamore, conducted the proceedings for the evening. After a warm welcome to all, Sharon gave her Chairman’s report.

This was followed by the financial report by Pat Grant; the Head Quarters Federation report by Pamela Robinson; and the international (ACWW) report from Margaret Stokes. Pat Grant also did the home craft report, and Diana Thompson gave the home and garden sub-committee report.

The guest speakers were representatives of Killymoon Castle, Cookstown. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their entertaining and emotive trip back in time as Clarke Hill, a tour guide, and living history characters told the history of the castle and their experiences living and working there through the years.

Many of the members were very busy before the evening itself, baking, crafting, photographing, flower-arranging and writing their competition entries. The entries were judged by Maura Ellis and Barbara McKay, baking; Elizabeth McKinty, craft; William Mateer, photography; Adrian Crowe, floral art; and Lorna McKay, creative writing.

So it was with much anticipation and excitement, to have the results revealed during the super break.

The results were as follows:

Lennon Cup – Novice Baking, 3 breakfast muffins: 1st Carol Nelson, Mossley; 2nd Jean McCollam, Muckamore; 3rd Helen McConnell, Carrickfergus.

Blossom Beattie Cup - Expert Baking: 7” Lemon Tart: 1st Jennifer Johnston, Muckamore; 2nd Melody Beatty; 3rd Diana Thompson, Ballyclare.

Elizabeth Gray Cup - Novice Craft, brooch: 1st Lorraine Metson, Templepatrick; 2nd Joyce Lithco, Muckamore; 3rd Carolyn McWhirter, Ballyclare.

McBride Cup – Expert Craft, Decorative tissue box holder: 1st Ann Graham, Mossley; 2nd Andrea Wade, Carrickfergus; 3rd Lynn Todd, Carrickfergus.

Ashcroft Cup – Novice Floral Art, seasonal flower arrangement in a honey pot: 1st Anna Spence, Templepatrick; 2nd Ellen Thompson, Muckamore; 3rd Judith Beggs, Ballyclare.

Ashcroft Cup – Expert Floral Art, 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh: 1st Florence Johnston, Carrickfergus; 2nd Carolyn McWhirter, Ballyclare.

The Morton Trophy – Baking, Guinness wheaten, very cherry oat squares and 3 meringues sandwiched with fresh cream: 1st Templepatrick (Melody Beatty, Beatrice Stirling, Lorraine Metson); 2nd Muckamore; 3rd Mossley.

Knockagh Cup – overall points winner: Carrickfergus.

Photography Cup – Field and farmland: 1st Lynn Todd, Carrickfergus; 2nd Deborah McNabney, Muckamore; =3rd Myra Hutchinson, Muckamore and Vicky Graham, Carrickfergus.

Creative Writing – Story (300 words) Tale of the unexpected; 1st Vicky Graham, Carrickfergus; 2nd Arlene Kelly, Templepatrick; =3 rd Margaret Ligget, Carrickfergus and Anne Willis, Templepatrick.

Knockagh Area Quiz: Templepatrick W.I. (Valerie Green, Roberta Stinson, Hilary Beckett).

Knockagh Area Bowls: Winner, Ruby Erwin, Templepatrick.

The Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland Drama Festival was held in March.

Muckamore took home five trophies:

The May Mitchell Cup – Best performance of a play written by a WI member: Muckamore.

The Christina McKeown Cup – Best play written by a WI member: Muckamore.

The Robert Smyth Trophy – Best Producer: Elizabeth Gray, Muckamore.

The Nan Whyte Trophy – Best actress in a play: Elizabeth Gray, Muckamore.

Ulster Cup – Best overall play: Muckamore.

Ribbons for craft work done over the past year were also presented: Five to Pat Grant, Ballyclare, for macrame, household, boxes, dressmaking, and canework; two to Ann Graham, Mossley, for goldwork, bobbin and lace; and one to Ann Holmes, for knitting.

All the awards were presented by Pamela Robinson, the Area Executive Member.

The evening was brought to a close by Ruby Erwin, Templepatrick WI, who proposed the vote of thanks to all the judges, the guests from Killymoon Castle, and the Minister and Kirk Session of Templepatrick for use of the premises and in particular Ken Henderson with his help on the day.

Thanks also went to the ladies of Mossley WI who prepared the supper and all the members who had taken part in the competitions.