No Silent Night

It might have been a Silent Auction, but it wasn't a Silent Night!

Memus Hall was packed out with rural members and friends, folk from the Glens and weel kent faces from the wider Strathmore area extending into Perthshire. Beyond the tremendous figure of £900 raised, Cortachy WRI evening was a great success - from the buzz of friendly chat, through the well stocked buffet table to the heavily laden cars driven home packed with treasures.

Thanks to all who donated, attended, bid, bought, baked, officiated, served and tidied up. "Thank you," particularly to absent friends who contributed despite their committments to events elsewhere in the district.

"Thank you," especially to the kitchen staff who ran the bar and washed up in an exemplary fashion which will undoubtedly encourage the Women's Rural to call on the services of the Rural Men to run future catering projects.

Sincere thanks to all.

(pictures to follow when available)

News update - Fresh from the triumph of the auction, Cortachy SWRI team was at the Angus Federation Ruralympics next day, and came 6th equal out of 25 teams. Fowlis and Liff, an institute known for its athletic prowess, came 1st.  We think Tarfside was 2nd, but that is based in a third hand report. Congratulations! to Fowlis & Liff and Well done! to all who participated.

Lemonade for Green Fingers

President Patsy Paton welcomed members, intimated the busy programme of federation, institute and local activities available to members in the months ahead and introduced our guest speaker.

Gardening guru, Ali Bruce, well known to his audience as a former local nurseryman, talked on his work at Dundee College. He described the great improvement in the quality of plants over past decades and the precise production standards of the modern market. The horticulture lecturer spoke passionately about the tradition of passing on technical skills and talents from generation to generation of gardeners and discussed the varied experiences and abilities of his students and the facilities and levels of study available to them at Dundee College.

Marion Macdonald thanked Ali for his humorous, knowledgeable and insightful talk. Hostesses Margaret Mackie and Margaret Jack provided sandwiches and cake for all. 

Ali appreciated his judging stint and commended the winning lemonade. 

Competitions –

Lemonade – 1, Sandra Boath, 2, Marion Webster, 3, Patsy Paton,

Animal Photograph – 1, Sandra Boath, 2, Patsy Paton, 3, Sine Robertson,

Flower of the month – 1, Mary Friedrich, 2, Aileen Pearson, 3, Patsy Paton.