Summer Outings 2021
WI Ladies on Tour!
As we stepped into summer, Covid restrictions eased further and some normality returned, meaning many Institutes were able to get together again for fun filled outings. How wonderful to be able to meet up with WI friends, make up for the time lost in lockdown and enjoy the great weather!
Here we share what some of our Institutes got up to during the summer months…
Ballygrainey WI
The Ballygrainey Institute enjoyed a lovely sunny morning at The Heritage Centre in Bangor. With restrictions easing, this was the first time since the initial lockdown last year that all the members have been able to meet! Everyone enjoyed an intense catch up session over tea/coffee, sharing stories of their experiences over the past 18 months. The ladies are hoping to resume their monthly meetings in the not so distant future.
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Dundonald WI
The Dundonald ladies enjoyed a delightful coach trip to the North Coast, all the while observing Covid-19 regulations. Socially distanced coffee at Carnlough set them up for a delightful coastal drive to Portstewart and free time for lunch and ice cream. Returning through Ballymena for a meal in the Tullyglass House Hotel, the brightness of the evening sunshine matched their spirits! Members were thrilled to be together for the first time in eighteen months, none more so than President Moyra Campbell (left) and fellow member Lorna Hall (pictured outside the Tullyglass).
*Many thanks to Jill Nash and Carolyn Boyd who organised the trip!
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Eglinton WI
On a beautiful summer morning in early July, the Eglinton ladies had the pleasure of visiting a fabulous local garden owned by the Kelly family. The garden is set in one and half acres of garden rooms, including a walled garden. They enjoyed tea and scones in the beautiful surroundings, whilst being entertained by the very talented girls from The Mood Swings. This was the group’s very first face-to-face meeting in a long time.
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Glenanne WI
The Glenanne girls made the most of the beautiful weather when they got together for a summer picnic. President Carole Baird told us, “A community group has taken over a disused factory and glen in Glenanne and, with the help of a band of dedicated volunteers, they are clearing the area for walks and making a walled garden in the old factory. It was a lovely setting for our picnic.”
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Kells & Connor WI
The Kells & Connor ladies ventured on their summer trip to Antrim Castle Gardens, enjoying a picnic and a stroll around the beautiful grounds. The sun shone all evening and everyone appreciated the beautiful scenery – it was a great way to celebrate their last (and first) meeting of the 2020-21 WI season!
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Kilrea WI
At the start of July, twenty-five members of the Kilrea Institute set off on a trip to The Lake aqua park in Kilrea, where they enjoyed coffee, catch-ups – and plenty of sunshine! They sat down for refreshments outside Tiny House Coffee, enjoying the beautiful weather, a long overdue chat and, of course, collecting their Ulster Countrywoman magazines!
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Leckpatrick WI
The Leckpatrick ladies enjoyed a socially distanced picnic at Holy Hill Estate, followed by a tour of the grounds.
Press Correspondent Anne Smith told us, “We met outdoors at Holy Hill Estate, home of Mr and Mrs Hamilton Thompson. Members enjoyed a delicious picnic prepared by President Ethel Patterson and Secretary Karen Wray. Afterwards, everybody had a socially distanced tour of the Victorian dairy and gardens, where Rhododendrons were in full bloom! This was a wonderful opportunity to catch up on news over lockdown and renew friendships in a beautiful, safe environment.”
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Muckamore WI
On a beautiful summer evening, the Muckamore members met in the magnificent setting of Antrim Castle Gardens (socially distanced and in their ‘bubbles’), enjoying plenty of chat and tasty refreshments in the glorious sunshine. There was so much catching up to do – due to the pandemic, the ladies had not been able to get together properly as a group since March 2020!
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