PICTURES: SWI ladies mark 100 years of Caithness Federation
Caithness Federation of the SWI celebrated their 100th anniversary with a dinner in the Norseman Hotel, Wick, last Wednesday.
Up until a few years ago the organisation was known as the SWRI and the first Institute in Caithness was formed in Keiss in 1918 by Mrs Jackson of Keiss Castle.
Over the next four years Keiss was joined by other Institues within the county and the Caithness Federation was set up in 1922. At one point there were 33 Institutes in the county, but over the years many of them have fallen by the wayside and now only 13 remain.
A total of 84 ladies from the various Caithness Institutes attended the dinner.
Wick Provost Jan McEwan was guest speaker for the night. She praised the women who she said had done so much for the community over the last century.
"Please continue to do what you are doing exceptionally well and pass all your talents to the next generation," she told those present.
"The WI aims to bring women, in particular those in rural areas, together to make a difference in their communities and offer friendship to one another.
"During World War II, the WI worked tirelessly helping evacuees from our towns and cities into our rural communities. They also helped during rationing by growing fruit and veg, making jams and preserves and pickles.
"Today you are still supporting one another and our communities. The WI also does a wealth of charity work including working in charity shops, helping at food banks, lunch clubs, looking after neighbours and knitting for premature babies."
A 100th anniversary cake was cut by Caithness Federation president Lysette Butler and Ms McEwan.
