SWI - The Gathering
Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September
Continuing the Ruskie tradition of a ‘wee road trip’, members travelled to Dundee for the 3 day SWI Gathering having an absolute blast, making new friends, learning new skills and exploring an unfamiliar city - just look at the photos to see what mischief our committee got up to!
Day 1 - The Gathering.
Our three intrepid explorers set off at 7am for The Gathering. Arriving early they managed to get a coffee and a pastry before the day started.
The day was kicked off with a short speech from our National President Susie Finlayson Embroidery. This was followed by Stuart Thomson, Editor of The People's Friend who told us about the magazines long standing heritage. It celebrated its 157th birthday this year. The tea caddy story was a particularly funny one. Tea and coffee followed. Then a talk from the Maclean brothers, Ewen, Jamie and Lachlan. They spoke about the cross Atlantic and Pacific rows. A hugely interesting session and they have now raised over £1 Million pounds for clean water projects.
Lunchtime came around and we were served soup and sandwiches. Some of the attendees even managed an aperitif!
After lunch Leonie Bell, director of the V&A. She gave us a talk about the displays they have shown and the direction in which the V&A is taking. Fascinating chat about learning without reading and the work they are doing to make it inclusive for all.
It was then workshop time. For those who had chosen a workshop straw craft, decoupage, sugar craft or oot’n’aboots were on offer!
The evening entertainment then started. The prize giving was wonderful. Our friends at Blaringone Rural were second for the Vaughn Nash Competition, with Irene Sloan taking a prize for best exhibit outwith the winning team. The rest of the evening was filled with Sketches, singing and music. What a great first day!
Day 2 - The Gathering
After a hearty breakfast our three attendees sat down to day 2 of the gathering. Opened by Susie Finlayson Embroidery with a warm welcome to all. Anna Campbell-Jones followed. A wonderful slideshow of colour and design, Anna’s life has certainly been varied. From corporate design to the seats on the Glasgow underground. It was so interesting. The workshops or oot ‘n’ abouts followed. There were many options to choose from.
Another lovely lunch and time for chat. Meeting new and old friends!
The craft expert panel shed light on the thoughts around mindfulness, craft and wool. Sarah Rankin Cooks rounded off the day. An amazing cookery demonstration featuring KFP and savoury porridge. Both were absolutely wonderful and such a great opportunity to see a chef at work. SWI National President's Updates and her fabulous shoes closed off the day.
We then went out for tea at a local restaurant, sang happy birthday to Mary and then a lovely walk round the waterfront to finish off the day.
Day 3 - The Gathering
After an absolutely brilliant two days our attendees rounded off the weekend with a final hearty breakfast. It took us more time to say cheerio to all of our new friends on the way out that it did to eat. Thank you to everyone who made the weekend so fun including the speakers and workshops. The back room staff especially deserve a mention. Without them none of what went on front and centre would have happened. We are now back home contemplating life. Over and out.
