75 years for Gracehill & Galgorm WI

President Barbara Totten welcomed members and special guest, Ethel Armstrong.

The evening started with an amusing and entertaining history of the institute given by Isobel Halliday. Some traditions of the meetings have changed over the years, such as the disappearance of the drama group and scottish dancing, but the talent of members in baking, painting, craft work and singing remain active.

It has been customary to place an embroidered table cloth on the top table at monthly meetings but over the years it has shown wear and tear. Kathleen Hanna and Margaret Johnston very kindly have embroidered a new one and presented it to the institute.

Vice-President, Yvonne O’Neil, a long serving WI member at local and executive level, was congratulated on her achievements and made a life long honorary member. She was presented with a floral arrangement.

Slemish Area Executive Member, Ethel Simpson, brought greetings to the gathering from headquarters and also kindly donated a beautiful gift of Belleek china.

Barbara Totten accepted the good wishes from Hq and read a greeting from HRH Duchess of Cornwall, expressing birthday wishes to the Institute. Barbara offered a very warm welcome to a previous president, Suzanne Forth. She also presented Suzanne with a beautiful arrangement of flowers to acknowledge her forthcoming 95th birthday in July and asked her to cut the birthday cake which was baked and beautifully decorated by member, Audrey Steede.

Following Grace said by Dora Henry, the members enjoyed a beautiful meal accompanied by plenty of chat and good fellowship.

At the meal, Valerie Wilson, Curator of Costumes at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, gave a short talk on the type of costumes worn at the turn of the twentieth century; some of the examples that she brought along were worn by a few of the more model-like members!