Killyleagh Women’s Institute Celebrate their 75th Anniversary
75 YEARS OF KILLYLEAGH W.I. – 1939-2014
Now, ladies, our story it started in May
In the year ‘39 so our minutes do say
Mrs Gordon was chosen as the first President
She lived in the big house called Delamont
And she was helped by good Mrs Green
Who started a knitting class at Gocean
Also the members much jam they did boil
Collected waste paper and gave out cod liver oil
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In the fifties they helped with Coronation Day
And gave the first Christmas Tree in Killyleagh
The Rev Cliff Boggs gave a ninety minute talk
And members went to Rowallane to walk
Jim Brown and his staff gave a mannequin parade
And bonnets for Easter were carefully made
Mrs Harrison talked about Spring daffodils
And our members protested about sewerage spills
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In the sixties we’d seventy members or more
Blanche gave a talk on life in Singapore
Liz Watt told of war time in The Holy Land
And we’d a cookery demonstration by good old Cake Brand
We travelled to Belfast for Opera House shows
And Alistair told us how to look after our toes
At Blood Donation Sessions we began to make tea
The Phyllis Gailey Prize was won by Margaret C.
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In the seventies Jaffa Furs put on a display
And we’d to learn how to use decimal currency
Our members travelled a lot in those years
Edinburgh, Blackpool, Lake District and Wales
We had talks on Unislim and Tupperware
And tales of Lecale, Albert Colmer did share
Jane Bain presented us with a bell
And Heather and Alice as cooks did excel
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In the eighties Ulster Bank gave to Susan McBride
The President’s badge that Iris is wearing with pride
To see Doll’s Houses and Wedding Dresses was really
a must
And at times we had talks about The National Trust
We’d a talk from Police on protection of the home
And sent old shirts to make kid’s clothes in Sierra Leone
A talk on Caving in China was given by Tim Fogg
On Ceramics by Mike Robinson and on China by Hoggs
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In the nineties we all went on many day trips
And Florence, Jean and Emily each won scholarships
Our Iris was an expert on Aromatherapy
While Roma did Tweed Pictures and Jean Embroidery
Adeline had painting classes in the Lecture Hall
Some did patchwork and copper pictures to hang on the wall
Several times the Area Quiz was won by our team
And we sponsored a cycle ride by Richard McLean
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Since 2000 we’ve gone to Kilmore’s Music for All
And enjoyed Police Concerts in the Ulster Hall
We had a talk on Bee Keeping by sweet Mr Bell
And of International Gatherings we’ve often heard tell
We’ve enjoyed playing host to our Romanian friends
And Decorum and Apres showed us the fashion trends.
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I hope these thoughts have brought memories of many a
good day
And of friends now departed from old Killyleagh
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We’ve now moved from the Library to the Masonic Hall
At the game of curling we all had a ball
We’ve had gardening tips from Norman and Frank
And some Bring and Buy Sales to put funds in the Bank
We’ve enjoyed Flower Arranging and Card Making too
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BUT OUR NUMBERS ARE DROPPING – WHAT SHALL WE
Do?
Let’s go out and tell others and bring them along
To friendship and good programmes – and teach them our
song.
DERRY AND ANTRIM AND DOWN, FERMANAGH, ARMAGH AND TYRONE
SIX COUNTIES WOMEN ALL WORKING TOGETHER
AND EVERYONE PROUD OF THEIR OWN
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THIS WAS COMPOSED AND READ BY ZENA McAllister
AT KILLYLEAGH W.I.’S 75th ANNIVERSARY DINNER
on 19 June 2014
Hi Zena!! I really enjoyed your poem on the history of Killyleagh W.I. You certainly had researched the old minute books. They do come in handy for reflecting. on past times.
A trip down memory lane evokes faces and a chance to relive happy times once again.
Well done!!!! Betty /Ballyrogan W.I.
Hello Zena,
Enjoyed your memoir. I was in Killyleagh on May 23 with Beverly Brown. We missed seeing you that day as you were out. My great grandfather was Melville Matthews married to Mary Shaw (father Finlay Shaw). What a beautiful historical place Killyleagh is. I hope to return again someday.
Hi, I am about to come to Killyleagh on 22/4. Melville Matthews was my great grandfather also.My father was John Matthews, son of Robert. I am trying to find out information about the family, would love to from anyone that knows anything at all. Regards Moira.
Hi, I am about to go to Killyleagh on 22/4. Melville Matthews was my great grandfather also.My father was John Matthews, son of Robert. I am trying to find out information about the family, would love to hear from anyone that knows anything at all. I am from Australia. Regards Moira.
Will forward your request to Killyleagh W.I.