Annual General Meeting 2022

Posted April 25, 2022 by WI Staff in Event Reports

The AGM was held in the Europa Hotel, Belfast on Thursday 31st March – and it was a great success! We were delighted to be able to hold such an important meeting in person again, especially as this event had to be cancelled back in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, and last year was massively scaled back and streamed online via Zoom.

All 21 WI Areas were represented on the day and special guests included Lady Anthony Hamilton (President FWINI), Christine Adams (President RUAS), Eileen Bell (Vice-President Townswomen’s Guild NI), Diane Cooper (CEO SWI), Anne Kerr (President SWI), Ann Jones (Chair NFWI), Kay Simpson (President Townswomen’s Guild NI), Lynne Montgomery (Vice-President YFCU) and Carolyn Forster (Chairperson/Treasurer Women’s Forum NI). Comprehensive reports were delivered by Federation Chairman Margaret Broome and Federation Treasurer Sheelagh McRandal. The latest updates from the Chairmen of our six Sub-Committees were also circulated and each Sub-Committee had its own display table, with a creative showcase of various work, projects and competitions. The room was decorated with contemporary floral art sculptures, created by Drumbeg WI member Sandra Abbott (Thank you, Sandra!)

Huge congratulations to our very talented award winners, who were presented with their trophies …and a special mention must go to guest speaker Brian Rankin (a.k.a. ‘The Farmer Poet’) for all the laughs in the afternoon!

The following Federation awards were presented on the day by Federation Chairman Margaret Broome:

Homecraft Awards
Coey I Cup (Coloured embroidery)	Evelyne Robinson, Ballymoney WI
Coey II Cup (Embroidery)	Ethel Patterson, Leckpatrick WI
Thelma Goldring Trophy (Best individual item)	Diana Thompson, Ballyclare WI
Emily Bossence Tray (Gold award holders)	Diana Thompson, Ballyclare WI
Greenisland Cup (Institute gaining the greatest number of grade A awards in proportion to the number of members during the year)	Kilrea WI
Olive Kane Cup (Wool embroidery)	Sheelagh McRandal, Drumbeg WI
Clanabogan Cup (Team knitting)	Drumbeg WI (Sandra Abbott, Barbara Huss & Adrianne Sloan)
Isobel Lusk Cup (Knitting – 2022 ‘Seeing Stripes’ sock pattern)	Olivia Nutt, Eglinton WI
Roe Valley Trophy (Full Circle holders)	Laura McAleese, Moneyrea WI
Etta Stewart Cup (Best entry of craftwork exclusive of cup winning entries)	Lily Swinson, Macosquin WI
Emily Blair Trophy (For the disadvantaged)	Jane Laverick, Newtownbreda WI
*Full Circle Winners*:
Ann Hunter, Derriaghy WI
Tilly Crawford, Kells & Connor WI
Frances Fulton, Leckpatrick WI
Joan Beattie, Newtownstewart WI
*Gold Spinning Wheel Winner:*
Mary McClimond, Fourtowns WI

*Magazine and Leisure Awards:*
Mourne Cup (Best poem written by a WI member published in the Ulster Countrywoman during the year)	Lesley Dowds, Ballysallagh WI
Phyllis Gailey Trophy (Literary competition)	Lynn Colgan, Ballyclare WI
Waringstown Cup (Scrapbook open class)	Broughshane WI
Crystal Cup (Scrapbook cover)	Broughshane WI
Crystal Cup (Scrapbook single page)	Broughshane WI

Congratulations to all the winners!

Here are some snapshots of a great day out…

Acting General Secretary Kathleen Dickey and Federation Chairman Margaret Broome.

Our International ladies at their display, including International Sub-Committee Chairman Rhoda Farrelly (left).

Showcasing the work of all things International – Maureen Johnston and Elizabeth Gowdy, both from Newtownbreda WI.

Lower Bann Executive Member Susan Lyons – ready to raise funds at the sales table!

Lisnagarvey Executive Member Marie Darrah of the Arts Sub-Committee with some of the beautiful works of art on display.

The eye-catching display by the Home and Garden Sub-Committee.

Sandra Abbott of Drumbeg WI with one of her striking floral art displays.

YFCU President Lynne Montgomery bringing greetings.

The entertainment for the day – Brian Rankin ‘The Farmer Poet’ gets in to character!

Guest speaker Brian Rankin, pictured with with his mum, Florence who is a member of Aghanloo WI.

Muckamore WI ladies enjoying the AGM.

Executive Member Lesley Dowds of Ballysallagh WI receiving the Mourne Cup for poetry.

Olivia Nutt of Eglinton WI, winner of this year’s Isobel Lusk knitting challenge.

Lynn Colgan of Ballyclare WI, winner of the Phyllis Gailey Literary Trophy.

Double success for Diana Thompson of Ballyclare WI, who was awarded the Thelma Goldring Trophy for best individual item and the Emily Bossence Tray.

Ethel Patterson of Leckpatrick WI receiving the Coey II Trophy for embroidery.

Abercorn Executive Member Joan Beattie of Newtownstewart WI being presented with her Full Circle award for Homecraft.

Our Drumbeg crafters – Sandra Abbott, Adrianne Sloan and Barbara Huss (the trio that won the Clanabogan Cup for team knitting), along with Federation Treasurer/Lagan Executive Member Sheelagh McRandal (left) who was awarded the Oliva Kane Cup for wool embroidery.