Celebrating 100 years of the SWRI
Saturday, October 7th 2017 - Sunday, November 19th 2017
2017 marks the centenary of the formation of the Scottish Women’s Rural Institute. The original idea for a group solely for women in rural areas came from Canada where the first meetings were held in 1897. They were so successful that the movement spread worldwide and the first Scottish Institute opened in 1917 at Longniddry.
Shetland had its first institutes in 1925 and soon they spread throughout the isles. Whilst the number today has reduced they are still represented in most of the isles from Boddam to Baltasound, Walls to Whalsay.
The ethos remains unchanged; fun, companionship, the learning and teaching of skills and the support of those in need.
The exhibition in Da Gadderie, Shetland Museum, seeks to showcase the last 100 years, taking in both national and local highlights.
It has been divided up into sections, each with exhibits from their own archives. There will be cookery books and recipes from the past; photographs of important occasions and those where members are simply having fun; craft items will be on show, large and small, some made prior to World War 2, all made by members. Some articles and photographs will be available for people to browse through, and maybe help by giving names to past members.
Although the SWRI has changed its name slightly to the SWI the aims of the organisation remains the same:
‘If you think that members of the SWI just knit and bake, then please come along to Da Gadderie and see what we really get up to! There will be members on hand each day to answer any questions you may have.’
The exhibition opens on Saturday the 7nd October at 1.00pm and runs until Sunday the 19th of November 2017.