The Speech Festival 2013
The beautifully refurbished 2nd Saintfield Presbyterian Church Hall was the venue for a very successful Speech Festival organised by the Arts Sub-Committee. It was a joy to be in this wonderful facility and the catering by the Saintfield Church ladies ensured that the guests wanted for nothing. The cold weather had little effect on the members of WI as the Festival had a significant number of entrants and supporters including the Federation Vice-Chairman Irene Craig and Federation Treasurer Anne Kirkwood.
There were six classes to judge and the WI were very fortunate to obtain the services of Mr Arthur Webb MA B.Ed, LGSM, LRAN, CAS (Guildhall) as adjudicator for the Festival. Mr Webb made his comments and gave his marks after each class. His considerable experience was evident as he gave tips on how to prepare for each of the classes, the best way to deliver an entry, what should be included in the Speech and Prose categories, and where it was acceptable to edit another author’s work. He had clearly enjoyed the day and had been impressed by the standard and numbers of entrants he was asked to judge.
Winners and other placings were as follows:
Class 1: Magherafelt Trophy – Three Minute Prepared Speech (13 entrants)
1st Place – Nancy Orr, Armoy WI.
2nd Place – Margaret Broom, Seaforde WI.
3rd Place – Elizabeth Patterson, Kilrea WI.
Class 2: Armoy Trophy – Sight Reading (17 entrants)
1st Place – Edwina Marr, Downpatrick WI.
2nd Place – Maud Steele, Kilrea WI.
3rd Place (Joint) – Doris Scovell, Downpatrick WI; Kathleen Moore, Bellievey WI.
Class 3: Lambeg trophy – Poem by an Irish Poet (17 entrants)
1st Place – Patricia Gilchrist, Downpatrick WI.
2nd Place (Joint) – Doris Scovell, Downpatrick WI; Kathleen Moore, Bellievey WI.
3rd Place (Joint) – Roberta Mathers, Bellievey WI; Elizabeth Patterson, Kilrea WI.
Class 4: Phillipine McCoy Trophy – Humorous Verse (20 entrants)
1st Place – Nancy Orr, Armoy WI.
2nd Place – Anna Murphy, Kells & Connor WI.
3rd Place – Doreen Brown, Moneymore WI.
Class 5: Aileen Chapman Trophy – Poem Written by a WI Member (19 entrants)
1st Place – Anna Murphy, Kells & Connor WI.
2nd Place – Doris Scovell, Downpatrick WI.
3rd Place – Nancy Orr, Armoy WI.
Class 6: Downpatrick Trophy – Prepared Prose (18 entrants)
1st Place – Kathleen Moore, Bellievey WI.
2nd Place – Maud Steele, Kilrea WI.
3rd Place (Joint) – Nancy Orr, Armoy Wi; Marie Bain, Downpatrick WI; Doris Scovell, Downpatrick WI.
The Vice-Chairman Irene Craig congratulated all concerned and was particularly pleased with the level of support the Festival had received, which was a significant increase on 2012.
