Lisnagarvey Area Group Meeting
The 28th Annual Meeting of the Lisnagarvey Area was held on Thursday, 25 April in Christ Church Halls; Area Chairperson Heather Adair, Killutagh WI opened the meeting by welcoming members and extending a warm welcome to our guest speaker, Baroness May Blood MBE.
Executive member, Helen Dunlop gave the Federation and Homecraft reports. Other Sub Committee reports were given by Dorothy Andrews for Magazine and Leisure Marie Darrah for Home and Garden, Barbara Craig for Balmoral and Noelle Hayes for The Arts.
Baroness Blood gave us a brief insight into her life’s work, leaving school, at a young age and working in the linen mill for 38 years until it closed. During this time she was an active member of the trade union and a shop steward promoting equality for women at work. She was much involved in the community which also included cross community work as she found that women on both sides of the peace wall had the same social concerns i.e. housing, suicides, education and mental health issues.
Baroness Blood was given her MBE by the Queen in 1995 and in 1999 she received her life peerage becoming Baroness Blood of Blackwatertown in the County of Armagh, being the first woman in Northern Irelandto be given a life peerage.
The Baroness still works tirelessly in the House of Lords for the people of Northern Ireland and also in the community.
The Baroness received a standing ovation after an inspirational talk and Olive Campbell of Killutagh thanked her for taking the time to come and speak to us.
After a delicious supper members had an opportunity to view the excellent craft items and competition entries on display.
Mrs Helen Dunlop then presented the annual awards: Area Quiz Shield, Caroline Price, Rhonda Minford and Jean McCord of Glenavy WI; Area Bowls Shield, May Best Killutagh WI; Anna Wilson Cup for Cookery, Ina Watson Maghaberry WI; Masie Law Slaver for Craft, Shirley Dew, Maghaberry; Ann Henning Salver for Craft Ribbons, Sally Chapman Magheraberry WI, who also received her gold spinning wheel.
Silver Spinning Wheels were also presented to Gillian Beattie, MaghaberryWI, Margaret Leckey and Eleanor Sufferin, Maze Brookfield WI.
A special tribute was given to Julie Uprichard, Maghaberry WI in achieving her Full Circle, completing 24 different crafts to a very high standard. Julie was the first member of the Lisnagarvey Area to achieve this award.
Pauline High, Glenavy WI gave a vote of thanks to all the institutes, for making the evening successful and a special thanks to Helen Dunlop Executive Member, for all the work she does on our behalf throughout the year.
The evening was brought to a close with the singing of the Country Women’s Song.
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