AGM & Monthly Meeting “Creativity is contagious, pass it on”
Tuesday 14 May 2024
Ruskie Hall was buzzing with chatter as Anne Artis rang the school bell to start our AGM. After brief apologies and circulation of last years minutes (without comment) Anne kicked off the business of the AGM. Helen Little our Treasurer summarised the finances including income from subscriptions, raffle, Christmas Meal and donations from SCWP, members, marshalling and silent auction. Payments offset against this include subscriptions and Christmas meal costs, speakers gifts, meeting expenses, website costs plus building costs and still resulted in a surplus which is great news. Anne quickly summarised our year of fun, education and friendship including marshalling at Kindrochit, before a three day trip to PortSoy and a visit to the Edinburgh Tattoo over the summer. Our meetings from September included Amanda Edmiston on the power of stories and plants, a visit to Dunblane cathedral, a presentation from Amy Thomson on her trip to Peru, a chocolate demonstration from the Smiddy, silent auction of Christmas Advent Calendars to raise funds for Hall repairs and gifts for Start Up Stirling. Then a visit to the pantomime before our Christmas night out with Santa at the Birds and the Bees; Scott Methven the Queens piper welcomed the New Year with stories, tunes and haggis. Sophie Brewsters gelato was welcome in February and Bruce Keith kept us laughing in March. We hosted the Federation Quiz in April and thanks go to those who helped make it a great success. Peter Mehta then engaged us with stories of timepieces. At head office level the Edinburgh office has been sold and there is a proposal for a new heritage centre in Dumfries; the summer school and many events are also available to attend. Food is always important at Ruskie and the quality and quantity never ceases to amaze. The car sharing and driving to the hall makes the best of the parking and the committee keep things moving smoothly so big thanks to them and we can look forward to another fantastic year in 2025.
Following on from Ruskie success last year, Anne also reminded everyone of the Warnock Trophy this year (“if you know a good thing pass it on” in the form of an inspirational letter) and the National Photography competition on the theme of ‘Our Fragile World’ - details on both are available from Liz Black. At the Federation meeting Sharon and Seona were recognised as Highly Commended in the pairs and Ruskie won the prize for the best syllabus in 2022-23. Forthcoming events are the Wild Fox Stewarding and also our afternoon tea in the Courtyard Café at Knickraich Farm. Anne also mentioned Isobel McGuire’s winning poem about the ‘king of the birds’ from 400 entries at the U3A and read it to shar with the group. The next Federation meeting is in November and the talented members in Ruskie are invited to participate in crafts – a knitted neckwarmer (any ply), an own choice craft (autumn ceramic painting by Catriona Burnett) along with a door wreath from an autumn walk. The cooking elements are a homemade fruit gin (any fruit); flask of sweet potato and coconut soup and a huffsie fruit loaf (recipe given) which should all be displayed together by a team of 4. There are other competitions which can be entered individually e.g. Maclay Trophy.
There was a brief conversation about the changes at the Head Office level and the implications for the future of the SWI and why this is important for us – it is acknowledged this is a political conversation and difficult to participate in and express any views.
Helen and Fiona from Kippen joined us as tellers to count our voting papers and we also welcomed guests from Gargunnock who are interested in our sewing speakers. Norma Brewster, Liz Dykes and Christine Bauer then shared their wide range of patchwork and quilting expertise. Norma started with an (anything but basic) cutting bag and a jelly roll of coordinated colours intended to be made into a single bed quilt which was laborious and unfortunately not finished until the colour scheme of the spare bedroom was changed and the bed upsized to a double bed! With the addition of matching colour fabric the quilt was increased at a sewing retreat in Ross Priory (much to the amusement of the other residents who had to walk round the layout in the hallway!) Smaller but equally beautiful items were displayed – table runners, oven gloves and pin cushion chickens and a sewing bag – before Norma was brave enough to tackle another quilt during covid without any help! Norma and Liz booked onto another craft retreat in Cullen which had super sewing facilities (and great soup!) and at the end of the event the quilt design was commented on as ‘very positive’!
Liz Dykes started quilting in 2009 at Gartmore House, mostly to make up numbers for a small class! After a trip to Kaleidoscope to buy ‘a little’ material resulted in a super quilt she noted that quilting is not easy, but if it goes right then it is not hard either! The Rural Day classes are expensive but super helpful, often guided by Janet McLays expertise and items made at these classes are often competition winners e.g. a beach bag with a key fob and purse holder gaining 19 ½ points (but beaten by Janet with 20 points!) or simply great fun pieces such as a tote bag. Manx quilting is a hand done technique using layers of material rather than wadding which gives a super result; material choices (even if they come from America) or painted fabric, or items inspired by moments in history such as covid demonstrated multiple techniques. Some items remain unfinished, but if seen from the back you can appreciate the detailed work that goes into quilting.
Christine then inspired us with her progress from dressmaking at school sharing patterns with Catriona for Young Farmers dances (but using different fabrics!) After a long break bringing up a family, Christine started again with quilting and produced an item which is a reminder of everything NOT to do when quilting. Quilting does not have to be difficult nor expensive – using recycled jeans, or spare fabric to make a small baby quilt. Her extended family in Canada reinforced how popular quilting is and there are fabric shops in every tiny village. After making over 70 quilts most have been given away so those that are left to display are not the best (although we tend to disagree!) Jelly roll fabric can be cut down to smaller pieces and make beautiful objects, including table runners or intricate patterns. Curved patterns are notoriously difficult but even if imperfect are much loved by family members who use comforters made of them. Hand made cushions demonstrate techniques without sewing machines, and quilting can also be used to make unique items such as clocks! Christine reiterated the quality of classes at Gartmore where everyone is very welcome to meet new people and try new ideas… as long as you have a spare cupboard for fabric and another for finished quilts – this is an ageless hobby and does not need fancy or expensive equipment! Our good friend Vivien Leckie has donated a super vintage Singer sewing machine if anyone wants to try it.
The votes which had been counted by our Kippen Tellers were announced as the new Committee – President once more Anne Artis joined by Liz Black, Pamela Deans, Linda Gibson, Helen Little, Sharon McRobert, Seona Michael, Heather Millar and Janice Oman
Competitions: Posy of spring flowers (Mrs Beaton Rose Bowl); 1) Liz Black 2) Alison Smellie 3) Isobel McGuire
Three suggestions for the syllabus 1) Isobel McGuire 2) Allison Mcleod 3) Pamela Deans
After another fabulous Ruskie supper hosted by Janet McLay, Allison McLeod, Claire Watt and Jane McDonagh everyone headed out into the warm evening, unusual weather and especially unusual as we didn’t light the Ruskie Fire!
Have a super summer everyone!
