The Christmas Event 2021! – We are back again!

The Home and Garden Sub-Committee members were delighted that their annual Christmas Event was able to take place this year.  Ladies from Institutes across the province gathered in the Crowne Plaza, Belfast on Saturday 27th November 2021 – feeling festive and ready to party!  It was great to be able to get together again.  This was a slightly scaled back event, with all Covid regulations adhered to, but that did not put a dampener on the festivities!

An action-packed programme had been organised, with 3 demonstrators showcasing their talents – including a floral art demo from Claire Tosh of All Seasons Floral Designs, Dunmurry, who showed the members how to expertly decorate a Christmas tree; an upcyling demo by Helen Wilson of Little French Barn, Lisburn who brought a new lease of life to a nest of tables – so creative! – and Tracey Jeffrey from Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen who gave a brilliant bakery demo, showing the ladies how to make tasty focaccia bread!

A delicious lunch was served and there were plenty of shopping opportunities, with variety of stalls to tempt the ladies into starting their Christmas shopping early!

For the Competition, entrants were tasked with creating a festive ornament to hang on the Christmas tree.  The overall winner was Lesley Martin of Ballievey WI who was awarded the prestigious Romanian Platter.  Lesley’s handmade decoration had an upcycling theme.

A raffle was also held, with lots of lucky ladies winning prizes.  As the day drew to a close, Federation Chairman Margaret Broome thanked Home and Garden Sub-Committee Chairman Teresa Feeney and her Committee members for organising such a brilliant day.

What a great day out!  Here are some snapshots…

Federation Vice-Chairman Kathleen Verner and Home and Garden Sub-Committee Chairman Teresa Feeney.

 

 

Our ladies on the door!

 

Feeling lucky?!  The ballot table.

 

Some stalls to peruse!

 

Our Home and Garden ladies at the sales table – Betty Lyttle of Portaferry WI and Federation Treasurer Sheelagh McRandal of Drumbeg WI.

 

Our Federation Chairman and Vice-Chairman – Margaret Broome & Kathleen Verner.

 

 

The Competition entries for ‘a handmade ornament for the Christmas tree’.

 

The Competition winner – Lesley Martin of Ballievey WI.

 

Lesley receives the Romanian Platter for winning the Competition.

Lesley’s winning decoration.

 

Claire Tosh of All Seasons Floral Designs, Dunmurry who gave a fabulous floral art showcase and demonstrated how to expertly decorate a Christmas tree. 

Claire’s beautiful floral art pieces.

 

Claire Tosh in action, with a captivated audience.

Claire’s finished tree.

 

Home and Garden Sub-Committee Chairman Teresa Feeney addresses the crowd.

 

 

Helen Wilson of Little French Barn (gift, interiors and furniture shop, Lisburn) – ready to get creative & upcycle.

 

Helen’s upcycling demo – featuring Executive Member Marie Darrah!

 

Helen at work – upcycling a nest of tables using chalk paints.

 

Members of Kesh WI enjoying the festivities!  L-R: Audry Reid, Jackie Savva, Sylvia Johnston, Molly Linton & Maureen Kyle.

 

When Santa made an appearance!

 

 

 

Acting General Secretary Kathleen Dickey.

 

A Santa selfie!

 

Santa with Federation Chairman Margaret Broome.

 

 

 

 

Dinner time – yum yum!