Festival of the Spoken Word 2019
The Arts Sub-Committee hosted the annual Festival of the Spoken Word in Richhill Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday 12th October 2019. The opening remarks were by Arts Sub-Committee Chairman Lesley Dowds, who warmly welcomed everyone. The entertainment was many and varied, with lots of performances by different WI members. The adjudicator was Verona McCavana, B.Ed Hons (Dramatic Art and English). Vera commented on the success of the day, discussing the lovely expressive moments in the performances and all the highs and lows. She critiqued each speaker and offered helpful advice on presentation. When Vera had deliberated and chosen the winners, Federation Chairman Collette Craig presented the awards. Arts Sub-Committee member Ruth Orr gave the Vote of Thanks. Richhill WI members supplied tea and scones, as well as a hearty soup and sandwich lunch which everyone enjoyed. In her closing remarks, Lesley thanked everyone for a great day and in traditional WI style the final performance was a rousing rendition of A Countrywoman’s Song.
Congratulations to the following talented award winners:
Class 1 – Magherafelt Trophy – Prepared Speech
1st – Nancy Orr, Armoy WI,
2nd – Doreen Donaldson, Aughnacloy WI
Certificate of Merit – Elizabeth Gray, Muckamore WI & Pat Harrison Richhill WI
Class 2 – Armoy Trophy – Sight Reading
1st – Katy McCurdy, Armoy WI
2nd – Lynd Roper, Richhill WI
Certificate of Merit – Shauna Duffy, Jerrettspass WI
Class 3 – Lambeg Trophy – Poem by an Irish Poet
1st – Doreen Donaldson, Aughnacloy WI
2nd – Pat Harrison, Richhill WI
Certificate of Merit – Nancy Orr, Armoy WI & Joan Ward, Crumlin WI
Class 4 – Phillipine McCoy Trophy – Humorous Verse
1st – Anne Patton, Armoy WI
Joint 2nd – Pat Harrison, Richhill WI & Anna Murphy, Kells & Connor WI
Certificate of Merit – Nancy Orr, Armoy WI
Class 5 – Aileen Chapman Trophy – Poem Written by a WI Member
1st – Anna Murphy, Kells & Connor WI
Joint 2nd – Lynd Roper, Richhill WI & Doreen Donaldson, Aughnacloy WI
Class 6 – Downpatrick Trophy – Prepared Prose
1st – Katy McCurdy, Armoy WI
2nd – Anne Patton, Armoy WI
Certificate of Merit – Nancy Orr, Armoy WI & Anna Murphy, Kells & Connor WI
Pictured at the Festival of the Spoken Word 2019 (Back row L-R): Katy McCurdy of Armoy WI, Anna Murphy of Kells & Connor WI and Anne Patton of Armoy WI. (Front row L-R): Nancy Orr of Armoy WI, Arts Sub-Committee Chairman Lesley Dowds, Federation Chairman Collette Craig, adjudicator Verona McCavana and Doreen Donaldson of Aughnacloy WI.
