Alasdair Beaton shares stories of accompanying his grandfather all over the district in his butchers van
Competitions: 3 X Cocktail Sausage Rolls (Mrs Parlane Trophy); Favourite Apron
Hostesses: Lottie McKie, Mary Muirhead, Mary Woods
Peter Ireland takes us on ‘A Cruise on the River Hooghly in West Bengal'
Competitions: Acrostic Poem (NAVIGATE); Favourite Jute or Hessian Item
Hostesses: Sheena Gibson, Libby MacGregor, Carole Russell
An exhibition of all member institutes work will be held in Gargunnock Church - details TBC
On these dates there will be a display of crafts by Rural members in Gargunnock Church - 10am - 4pm Refreshments will be available...... with home baking - donations very welcome!. Each Rural is given a board measuring 3ft X 4ft to display their crafts...............The rurals taking part in this display are Ruskie, Kippen, Buchlyvie, Drymen and Gargunnock.
Gillian Forster of Green Routes is coming to explain how they offer young people with support needs an opportunity to learn and grow, to develop skills for life, learning and work
Competitions: Spring Flowers In A Jug (Mrs Beaton Rose Bowl); Traditional Garden Item
Hostesses: Alison Smellie, Gillian Ross, Claire Watt
Demonstration from Brooke Allan, skin therapist and make up artist
Competitions: 3 Suggestions for the syllabus; Favourite Make Up Bag
Hostesses: Anne Artis, Ann Brown, Janice Milne
AGM Tellers: Gargunnock
This is being hosted by Fife and is planned for the 8th June at the Stewart's Resort, St. Andrews. The facility is approx 4 miles on the outskirts of St. Andrews and is a purpose built venue with easy access and car parking. The full address is Stewart's Resort, Cameron, St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8PE. More details when the menu is available.
A further event to celebrate our Federation Centenary! A Sail on Loch Lomond with commentary at 2pm - free tea/coffee - Cost: £25
Meal afterwards at The Oak Tree Inn at Balmaha - Cost £26 (tip £1) for a two course meal - to be pre-ordered - menu available from Liz Black
You do not need to do both - go for a sail.............or just go for the meal............its up to you
The theme for the Scottish Handicrafts at the Royal Highland Show this year is “LIFE IS A CELEBRATION“ - Full schedule included here and summary of sections below
A - Medley of Crafts - Theme : Milestones
B - Trios made by one person - Theme : Gifts/items depicting a traditional anniversary year (state year eg 1st/paper)
c - Novices/Juniors
D - Crochet - Theme: Party Time
E - Knitting - Theme: Tiny Tots
F - Handspinning, Weaving & Dying - Theme: Holiday
G - Lace & Tatting - Theme: Celebration of water
H - Embroiders - Theme: Wedding Day
I - Patchwork, applique & Quilting - Theme: First Home
J - Children
K - Crooks & walking sticks
Celebrate the New Year with traditional fayre and entertainment from Robert Dykes & Archie Patterson
Competitions: 3 x Squares Plain Tablet; Favourite Tartan Item
Hostesses: Anne Artis, Christine Bauer, Liz Black, Liz Dykes, Heather Miller
Our annual festive evening full of Christmas cheer and a visit from Santa
Gifts: Secret Santa present; Donation to Start Up Stirling (collected in November)
Location: Fletchers or Lion & Unicorn
A speaker from Cancer Research helps us understand how money is raised and spent
Competitions: Hand knitted or crocheted neckwarmer (Puskie Plate), Best fundraising ideas to share
Hostesses: Seona Michael, Sharon McRobert, Janice Oman
Competition entries to be in place by 12pm
McLay Trophy - Autumn collage picture incorporating forages leaves, foliage etc, maximum size A4 (no bought flowers or foliage to be used)
Cath McBryne Trophy - Peg doll
West Lothian Trophy - 3 pieces of millionaires shortbread
Community Work - An Autumn Walk - minimum of 4 members to take part, no accessories allowed, each institute to supply cover for their display area
Crafts
1- Knitted neck warmer, any ply
2- Door wreath in foliage/berries/flowers collected on autumn walk, any size (no bought flowers/foliage allowed)
3- Own Choice
Cooking
1- Home made fruit gin (any fruit)
2- flask of sweet potato and coconut soup
3- Huffsie loaf (recipe supplied, ask for details)
Mark the occasion of our 98th birthday with Paul Bradford, celebrated master baker, as he teaches us new skills and decorates a seasonal cake (to be raffled on the night!)
Pumpkin Competitions: Heaviest (grown from seed); Best Carved Lantern; Tastiest Flask Of Soup (85th Birthday Cup)
Hostesses: Liz Black, Noreen Hinton, Helen Little
On Saturday 28 September you are invited to join us along with Lauren Lochrie of Herbal Homestead at the beautiful Cardross Estate Pinetum, Port of Menteith, FK8 3JY for a three hour, foraging 'walk & make'. Foraging can seem attractive yet daunting, Lauren has developed wonderful, seasonal courses to help you practice a range of hands-on activities, to enhance your understanding of what wild things are good to harvest when, and how to prepare and store them in different ways over the year. Learn how to do this mindfully, sustainably, and safely!
What to expect:
- Plant & fungi identification and habitat cues
- Exploring their traditional and modern uses
- Trying pre-prepared foraged nibbles and remedies
- Some group work exploring ecological value and function- Harvesting and working with wild plants to prepare a foraged tea and hand cream (or muscle rub) and exploring observational drawing
- Follow up recipes and resources
The event will run from 11am – 2pm and is suitable for both beginners and experts.. This has been sponsored by Pamela so the event costs are covered however as a fundraising day we are asking participants to contribute to Ruskie funds – suggested donation £20. Names to me (Liz Black)
Col. Charles Wallace tells us the story of the King’s Body Guard for Scotland
Competitions: Toast to the King (Original Writing); Piece of Royal Memorabilia
Hostesses: Catriona Burnett, Linda Gibson, Christine Hamilton
The Ruskie Competition Cup (for most points in 2023-24) will also be awarded tonight
Join us at The Courtyard Cafe, Knockraich Farm for a summer afternoon tea
Cost (including tip) £22pp
Would you like to join us? Please let Liz Black know (including any dietary requirements) and we will add you to the list!
This as always is open to all - members/non members/friends
Showcasing the best of food, farming and Rural life! Tickets from the website, volunteers needed!
Proposed schedule for 2024 Theme: The Four Seasons - download here
Section A - Medley of Crafts, Theme The Four Seasons
Section B - Trios made by one person, theme Easter
Section C - Novices/Juniors
Section D - Crochet, Theme: The Seasons
Section E - Knitting, Theme Autumn Walks
Section F - Handspinning, weaving & dying, Theme Shear Bliss
Section G - Lace & Tatting, Theme Hedgerows
Section H - Embroidery, Theme How does your garden grow?
Section I: Patchwork, applique & Quilting, Theme Winter Wonderland
Section J: Children
Section K Crooks and Walking Sticks (to be confirmed)
Are lunch joined by members from Perth & Kinross and Fife Federations. 2 course lunch with entertainment to follow. Speak to Liz Black to book your place!
A placeholder for your diary - Federation Fund Raiser!
Help will be needed - watch this space!
Display of members patchwork and Q&A on technique
Competitions: Posy of spring flowers (Mrs Beaton Rose Bowl);; 3 suggestions for the syllabus
Hostesses: Janet McLay, Allison McLeod, Claire Watt
Tellers: Kippen
Competition entries to be in place by 12pm
Morton Pairs Trophy - two members to take part - 3 Fabric flowers, 2 individual lemon tarts (max size 3”)
New Forge Trophy - crochet baby hat, any ply
Learn about the fascinating history of Cultybraggan with a Tour of the Camp, Pottery & Cafe
Learning what clocks tell us about our heritage with Peter Mehta, horologist
Competitions: Most items in a matchbox; Favourite timepiece
Hostesses: Sharon McRobert, Janice Oman, Alison Smellie
As last year’s winners, Ruskie is hosting the SC&WP Federation Quiz in 2024! we look forward to seeing you all there!
Sharing in Bruce Keith’s passion for measurements of all sorts and making journeys in Scotland
Competitions: Acrostic Poem (MILESTONE); Favourite measuring aid
Hostesses: Sheena Gibson, Lottie McKie, Mary Woods
Sophie Brewster’s farm diversification journey, and their future
Competitions: 2 cheese scones (85th Birthday Cup); Best ‘cow’ item
Hostesses: Ann Brown, Catriona Burnett, Mary Muirhead
Celebrating the new year with Scott Methven, the Queen’s Piper
Competitions: Ginger flavour food or drink; Item featuring a piper
Haggis, Neeps & Tatties: Anne Artis, Liz Black, Christine Bauer, Liz Dykes, Heather Millar
Christmas night out with Secret Santa Presents
*Please note, our Christmas Charity donations will be collected in November to allow Start Up Stirling to prepare and pack in good time to distribute for Christmas
Venue: Birds and Bees, Stirling
This event will include a de-stash sales table for donations of craft material and a charity sales table
Get in the festive spirit with a mini bus trip to Hopetoun House Christmas market, and a festive tea
Bid on unique advent calendars to support the maintenance of Ruskie Hall; join us for tea & cakes and Christmas Raffle
ALSO drop off your Christmas Charity donation for Start-Up Stirling
Mixing up your home baking with Janey and Carrie from Blair Drummond Smiddy
Competitions: 3 x truffles; Favourite cake plate
Hostesses: Christine Hamilton, Noreen Hinton, Seona Michael
(Earlier than usual due to hall being unavailable for our usual date)
Competitions - Janet McLay Trophy - Christmas Limerick to start “There was a wee elf called Joe”
West Lothian Trophy - 3 gift tags, different crafts
Cath McBryne Trophy - best use of a Fat 1/4 of fabric
A round trip walk from Doune Ponds to Kilmadock Cemetery via Buttercup Cafe in Doune for Lunch - all welcome!
Celebrate our 97th Birthday exploring the world with Amy Thomson and her trip to Peru
Competitions: Photo of something that makes you happy (Puskie Plate); Favourite travel souvenir
Hostesses: Libby MacGregor, Janice Milne, Carole Russell
Learn about Dunblane Cathedral - history on our doorstep!
A guided walk around Callander Community Hydro Scheme
Depart at 10:00 from the Lade Inn and finish with a light lunch at The Lade after the walk.
Tickets are selling fast. Delegate passes start at just £35 for members, £65 for non-members. This includes lunch and refreshments for all delegates. You'll find full details of the speakers and what they will be discussing on the new National Conference hub here.
Coinnieach MacLeod - if he's not appearing with Phil and Holly on This Morning or jetting around the world promoting his fabulous cookery books, the Hebridean Baker is dreaming up Scottish recipes at his home on the Isle of Lewis for his 12 million TikTok followers!
Jen Hogg - When life as a solicitor lost its appeal, Jen turned to sewing, reaching The Great British Sewing Bee semi finals in 2019. Since then, she has turned her talents to inventing bespoke tools and accessories from wood, leather and cashmere surplus. She is passionate about sustainable products made locally in Scotland.
Helen Vass - Helen Vass has been called a Pastry Magician. We all know her as the winner of Bake Off Creme de la Creme, the professionals' version of the BBC's Great British Bake Off, but she also has a string of amazing titles to her name. She fought off stiff competition to win the Les Dames d'Escoffier award and CIS Callebaut Patisserie Chef of the Year and is currently a lecturer at South Lanarkshire College.
