Garvagh WI – Northern Ireland’s 1st WI Celebrates 90 Years!
The Federations of Women’s Insitutes of Northern Ireland has been marking its 90th Anniversary this year and the Garvagh Institute is also celebrating this special 90th milestone as the oldest Institute in the province, having formed on 7th September 1932. To mark 90 years, Garvagh members enjoyed a ‘birthday month’ of celebrations with an exciting programme of events as follows…
Afternoon Tea @ Woodbank House
Fast forward to 7th September 2022 and the Garvagh ladies celebrated with a lovely afternoon tea at Woodbank House Vintage Tearoom – the setting of Garvagh WI’s inaugural meeting, led by Miss Dorothea McCausland, in Woodbank’s drawing room on this very day back in 1932! What a special way to spend their anniversary, reliving a moment in history, back where it all began.
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Garvagh WI @ The Mayors Parlour
Another part of the Institute’s 90th celebrations involved the Garvagh group spending a lovely afternoon in the Mayor’s Parlour.
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Cutting the Cake @ Garvagh’s Official 90th Anniversary Dinner
In traditional WI style, the Garvagh ladies also celebrated with a special evening of dining and entertainment in the Imperial Hotel, Garvagh. The ladies were joined by friends, fellow members, guests, Executive Member Susan Lyons and Federation Chairman Margaret Broome.
(Special thanks to Garvagh Veterinary Clinic for sponsoring the reception and to Lucy Miller of the Hampsey Harpers.)
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Tree Planting & Commemorative Bench @ Garvagh Museum
Memories of meetings and celebrations last forever, but as another more permanent way of marking their 90th anniversary Garvagh WI members planted a tree and unveiled a specially commissioned bench in the grounds of Garvagh Museum.
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