Ballyrashane WI Celebrates 70 Years
Almost fifty members and friends met in the Ramada Hotel in Portrush to celebrate Ballyrashane WI’s 70th birthday. Members, guests and friends were welcomed by President Moyra Lees who extended a special welcome to Executive Member Agnes Kennedy. Moyra recounted the minutes of the very first meeting, and the fact that the first election of Office Bearers was overseen by two gentlemen! Over the seventy-year period Ballyrashane WI has continued to faithfully meet and bring together local ladies where many lifelong friendships have been formed. Agnes Kennedy brought greetings from the WI Executive and other Institutes in the Lower Bann Area and she wished Ballyrashane Institute continuing success in the future.
Moyra Lees, Agnes Kennedy and Mae Stevenson, one of the senior members, cut a birthday cake made by member Frances McCollum. Everyone had a very enjoyable meal and after dinner the ladies were entertained by Cantabile, a trio of beautiful female voices. Cantabile’s performance was made all the more special as all the three singers are the daughters of Ballyrashane WI members.
Kaye Henry proposed a very comprehensive Vote of Thanks and also told of some of the new inventions launched in 1944, including the first calculator and the first kidney dialysis machine. This certainly helped put into perspective some of the changes that have gone on in the world during the ‘lifetime’ of Ballyrashane WI. An evening of food, friendship and fund ended with the singing of A countrywoman’s Song, and a warm invitation was extended to any new members who would like to join the Institute and be part of the next chapter of Ballyrashane WI.
The Institute meets on the second Wednesday of each month in the Glebe Hall, Rectory Road, Coleraine at 7.30 p.m. and new members will be warmly welcomed.
