A first for Carsphairn at the Stewartry SWI Spring Show

Carsphairn SWI took home the “Mrs Jessie Picken Trophy” for the first time for their Community Work entry.

Preparations for the Spring Show began long before show day arrived. Convener, Carol Bryden and Secretary Jan Harris created a timeline containing the planning, organisation, communication and execution for the event. They were helped by many other Stewartry SWI members along the way. The night before the Show, members, relatives and friends did some heavy lifting to set up the boards in Dalbeattie Church to display exhibits. The Church Hall also sprang to life with tables and chairs arranged to accommodate refreshments, two sales tables and a bottle stall.

On the 7th March the day dawned with a nippy air and the promise of sunshine. Members brought bulbs and floral arrangements from many Institutes across the Stewartry. The church began to fill with colour and fragrance. The success of the show rests largely on those who spend time and effort cultivating their bulbs and arranging their floral art exhibits.

Institutes had also been busy creating their entries for the “Mrs. Jessie Picken Trophy” in Community Work, the theme for the year being “Music Festival”. Once all exhibits were in place the judges did their part. Trevor Jones, a well-known face at the Show judged the bulbs. Carol Rennison, Annette Torbet and Elizabeth Wallace from Wigtownshire Federation judged the floral art and Community Work classes.

The team in the kitchen were busy throughout the day providing refreshments for judges, volunteers and visitors. The event culminated in the presentation of trophies. Mary Burney, long standing member of Stewartry Federation and current SWI National President presented the trophies to the successful Spring Show Exhibitors. She also presented the Sports Shield and sports trophies to the winning Institutes. Congratulations to all successful entrants and in particular Carsphairn SWI who won the Jessie Picken Trophy for Community Work.

The day came to a close and the church and hall were very quickly returned to normal. Many hands make light work. Sincere appreciation and gratitude go to every individual who contributed to the success of the Show in any way at all.

Christine Whipp, Carsphairn SWI Secretary