Our 99th Birthday Party & games night at Thornhill Hall

Competitions: Home-made party hat (Puskie Plate); Best set of dominos

Hostesses: Catriona Burnett, Libby MacGregor, Sheena Gibson

An evening with Ally Logan, Auctioneer

Competitions: Nature Photograph you have taken yourself; Favourite farm animal ornament

Hostesses: Liz Black, Linda Gibson, Helen Little

The Ruskie Competition Cup for most points in 2024-25 will also be awarded tonight

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

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.   

**STOP THE PRESS**

A change of speaker for our meeting and AGM. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to hear from our very own Anne Artis to share her experiences in hillwalking and the ‘gear’ needed to be safe and successful. IFKYK – it will be an entertaining evening of stories and anecdotes told in Anne’s inimitable style and a rare occasion not to be missed! Looking forward to seeing you all there

Competitions: 3 Suggestions for the syllabus; Favourite Make Up Bag

Hostesses: Anne Artis, Ann Brown, Janice Milne

AGM Tellers: 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

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

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

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

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