SWRI on the Isle of Gigha

The Gigha Branch of The Scottish Women's Rural Institute or “The Rural” is a member of the Argyll Federation. The Federation is divided up into groups and we belong to the Kintyre group.

The aims of the Rural are: -

To advance the education and training of those who live and work in the country, or are interested in country life, in home skills, family welfare and citizenship.

To promote the preservation of Scotland's traditions and its rural heritage.

And to promote the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreational and leisure time occupation so the conditions and life of people who live in the country or who are interested in country life may be improved.

The Gigha Branch meets once a month during the winter months. We try to have a varied programme of demonstrations and talks on a wide range of subjects.

The programme for this coming winter has not yet been arranged but we are hoping to have a talk on recycling.

Our December meeting is usually Christmas lunch either at the hotel on Gigha or more often trying out the local hotels on Kintyre. For research, of course! We couldn't possibly recommend anywhere without trying it first! In January we usually have member's meeting because it is not easy to get speakers to come from the mainland at that time.

At most meetings we have a competition. We usually try to include some of the items required for the Argyll Federation Show, which is held every year at the end of April, or the beginning of May. We try to take part in the show most years but it is held at different venues throughout the county and we find that Dunoon is a bit too far away for us. In the past we have won the trophy for the small institutes with the most points. Nowadays our membership has dwindled to make us a very small institute so we are looking for new members. Our meetings are open to everyone so if you are not sure whether the rural is for you come along and see if you enjoy it. Membership, of course, is restricted to women but men are welcome to come to meetings as visitors!

More information about the rural at the national level can be obtained from the SWRI website at www.swri.org.uk