Scottish Womens Institute

balmulloswi@gmail.com

HISTORY OF BALMULLO SCOTTISH WOMENS INSTITUTE

Balmullo SWRI started in 1952 after an Open General Meeting in the Pitcairn Hall on 30th October.  This was a breakaway from Logie Murdoch SWRI, who in November donated the sum of £5 to help start up the Balmullo Institute.

Ladies from Balmullo previously had to travel to Logie Murdoch by bus, but numbers increased sufficiently to make viable a Balmullo branch of the SWRI.

Annual subscriptions started at 3 shillings (15p).  First President was Mrs Agnes Anderson and during that first year the membership reached 43.  The charge for use of the Pitcairn Hall was 12 shillings and 6 pence (62½p).          

On June 2nd 1999 we moved from Pitcairn Hall into the small hall in the new Burnside Village Hall, and subsequently we moved into the large hall in 2004. Since then the membership has fluctuated and now stands at around 40. Annual subscriptions have gradually increased and now stand at £19 with the hall charge now £25 per night.

In 2002 our Rural Tablecloth was sewn by Mrs Chrissie Hannah, Mrs Penny Wiles and Mrs Mary Fleming. The tablecloth was first used at our 50th Anniversary Party and since then has been used at each monthly meeting.

In 2003 a notice board made by Mr John Erskine was gifted by Balmullo WRI to Burnside Hall.

SWRI headquarters introduced a new Rural Song in 2008, which we adopted and sing at the start of each meeting: –

For home and country Dear women of Scotland
We women must strive If friendship you seek
Keep crafts and traditions Then come to the Rural
In Scotland, alive And neighbours you’ll meet
To lands of all nations You’ll find a warm welcome
Extend a kind hand And soon you will be
May peace and contentment United together
Reign over the land In true loyalty

Balmullo WRI gifted a plaque to celebrate the Opening of the Burnside Hall on its 10th Anniversary in 2009 and we held our Diamond Jubilee Party there in 2012.

Members have successfully competed in competitions at Fife Federation Show (which was held at the Fife Show but is now held in May at the Corn Exchange in Cupar), also Leuchars & District Gardening and Crafts Club Autumn Flower Shows and at Cupar Group Meetings. The group meets the first Thursday of every month, except August, in Burnside Hall, Balmullo. We also have visits throughout the year. The up to date syllabus can be found on Facebook as Balmullo SWI and we can be contacted via email on balmulloswi@gmail.com