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Seòmar agus comataidhean

100 Years of the Scottish Women’s Institute in Orkney

  • Submitted by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats.
  • Date lodged: Monday, 17 June 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-13650

That the Parliament commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first Orkney branches of the Scottish Women’s Institute (SWI); notes that the Orkney federation held its first meetings in July 1924, with the first branches opening in Deerness, Dounby, Holm, St Ola and Stronsay; understands that the federation has now grown to encompass 14 groups across the islands, and that membership numbers are on the rise; recognises that the SWI was founded in 1917 with the aim of providing opportunities for learning, finding friends, and sharing skills, and works to connect women locally and nationally to improve their quality of life through friendship, education and fun; further recognises that the Orkney SWI continues this tradition with monthly meetups for demonstrations, workshops and speeches, as well as facilitating regular social events between members; notes with praise the community-minded approach and generosity of spirit reflected in many SWI Orkney activities, such as creating teddy bears for nursery children during COVID-19 lockdowns and knitting hats for the homeless; commends the Orkney Federation’s members for their commitment to lifelong learning and to supporting one another, and wishes the SWI all the best for the next 100 years in Orkney.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Foysol Choudhury, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Tim Eagle, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Roz McCall, Stuart McMillan, Edward Mountain, Audrey Nicoll, Paul O'Kane, Ash Regan, Emma Roddick, Douglas Ross, Paul Sweeney, Michelle Thomson, Sue Webber, Tess White, Martin Whitfield, Elena Whitham, Beatrice Wishart