Festival of the Spoken Word 2014
Pictured are the award winners- In the back row (L-R): Joan Ward of Crumlin WI, Anna Murphy of Kells & Connor WI, Ellen McKenna of Donaghmore WI, Edwina Marr of Downpatrick WI and Elizabeth Gray of Muckamore WI. Pictured in the front row (L-R): The Adjudicator Patricia Mulligan ATCL, TD, GMNEA, MSTSD, MADCI, Award winner Doris Scovell of Downpatirck WI, Federation Chairman Margaret Collinson and Arts Sub-Committee Chairman Ethel Simpson.
On Saturday 1st November 2014 The Festival of the Spoken Word was held in Richhill Presbyterian Church Halls. This event was organised by the Arts Sub-Committee and was well supported with seventy-three entries in six classes.
Arts Sub-Committee Chairman Ethel Simpson welcomed everyone including Federation Chairman Margaret Collinson, Vice-Chairman Irene Craig and a special welcome was extended to the Adjudicator Mrs Patricia Mulligan, ATCL, TD, GMNEA, MSTSD, MADCI.
After a day of listening to very talented WI ladies reciting poems and reading prose ranging from humorous to sincere, everyone expressed their satisfaction at such an enjoyable day.
Federation Chairman Margaret Collinson then presented the trophies to the worthy winners and congratulated them on their achievements.
In the Vote of Thanks Roberta expressed appreciation to all of the participants for entertaining everyone so well, to the audience for coming to support them, to the Adjudicator for her excellent judging and helpful remarks, to the Session of Richhill Presbyterian Church for the use of their luxurious halls, and to Richhill WI for providing delicious tea, coffee, scones and lunch. This was all endorsed by Margaret and Ethel.
The winners were as follows:
Class 1: Magherafelt Trophy for Prepared Speech
1st – Elizabeth Gray, Muckamore WI
Joint 2nd – Pat Harrison, Richhill WI; Ellen McKenna, Donaghmore WI
Class 2: Armoy Trophy for Sight Reading
1st – Doris Scovell, Downpatrick WI
Joint 2nd – Ellen McKenna, Donaghmore WI; Kathleen Moore, Ballievey WI
Class 3: Lambeg Trophy for Poem by an Irish Poet
1st – Joan Ward, Crumlin WI
Joint 2nd – Roberta Mathers, Ballievey WI; Vera Niblock, Ballyblack WI
Highly Commended – Maud Steele, Kilrea Wi; Jean Crawford Aughnacloy WI; Kathleen Moore, Ballievey WI
Class 4: Phillipine McCoy Trophy for Humorous Verse
1st – Anna Murphy, Kells & Connor WI
Joint 2nd – Kathleen Moore, Ballievey WI; Maud Steele, Kilrea WI; Ann Patterson, Crossgar WI
Highly Commended – Pat Harrison, Richhill Wi & Kate Adams, Richhill WI
Class 5: Aileen Chapman Trophy for Poem Written by a WI Member
1st – Ellen McKenna, Donaghmore WI
Joint 2nd – Maud Steele, Kilrea WI; Doreen Brown, Moneymore WI; Kathleen Moore, Ballievey WI
Highly Commended – Anna Murphy, Kells & Connor WI; Joan Ward, Crumlin WI
Class 6: Downpatrick Trophy for Prepared Prose
1st – Edwina Marr, Downpatrick Wi
Joint 2nd – Doris Scovell, Downpatrick WI; Kathleen Moore, Ballievey WI
Highly Commended – Elizabeth Patterson, Kilrea WI; Roberta Mathers, Ballievey WI
