Scottish Women's Rural Institute Summer School
More than 130 women across the country are set to meet in the Scottish Capital next month (20-24 July 2009) for the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes (SWRI) Summer School. This annual event offers members the opportunity to network and exchange news from across the country. Travelling from as far afield as Orkney right down to the Scottish Borders, they will take a step back to their own learning days as they check into the University of Edinburgh Campus at Pollock Halls in the city centre for the week.
Marion Davidson, National Chairman of the SWRI says, "The summer school is a fantastic opportunity for our members to get away for a week, learn new skills and develop new friendships. It's an ideal occasion to meet new people and catch up with old acquaintances from a variety of institutes across Scotland, where they would not normally have the opportunity to do so."
"The Summer Schools that we offer are hugely popular with members, because we offer such a broad range of activities, catering to the different interests of our members. There is always something on to keep everyone occupied and new people to share the experiences with."
The Summer School is always popular and this year is no exception with members of all ages keen to learn new skills. This year's courses will include a range of activities from crewel embroidery and flower arranging to cooking and walking trips in and around the Lothian's.
For members who love food, but can't quite manage to rustle up anything more ambitious than beans on toast, a cooking for learner's course is available. This 3 day class of foodie fun is perfect for those wanting to brush up on their cooking skills and learn how to be a little more adventurous in the kitchen. Members will also get the opportunity to explore the ancient skill of crewel embroidery, Crewel embroidery is fascinating needle art, using thin wool thread on linen to create a decorative pattern or picture.
A huge bunch of fresh sweet smelling flowers always manages to brighten up someone's day, however they can be expensive. Members will learn various skills and styles to re-create fabulous flower arrangements without breaking the bank in the fun with flowers class and complete a variety of buttonholes and sprays to compliment that all important wedding outfit.
Members can see Scotland's capital in all its splendour by taking part in the ‘Out and about in Edinburgh & the Lothians' class. They will explore historic monuments and attractions including Dirleton Castle, two royal palaces, Holyrood and Linlithgow, two stately homes, Hopetoun and the House of the Binns and two of Scotland's most historic churches, St Giles and Rosslyn Chapel.
Keen walkers will also get the chance to explore the beauty of the Lothians by grabbing their hiking boots and selecting walks which are as diverse as exploring the geology of Arthurs seat, to following a coastal walk from Gullane to Dirleton or retracing a trail from Haymarket to Leith which will include the Botanics and the Water of Leith.
Scottish Women's Rural Institutes (SWRI) is one of the largest women's organisations in Scotland and celebrated its 90th birthday in 2007. It boasts around 20,000 members, in 34 Federations throughout Scotland, from as far north as Shetland to Wigtownshire in the South West. More information on the SWRI can be found at www.swri.org.uk, or by calling SWRI headquarters in Edinburgh on 0131 225 1724 or email swri@swri.demon.co.uk .