Midlem WI

12/11/2025

Midlem ladies weathered the storm today for their Annual General Meeting and Beetle Drive. President Edith took the chair giving her report for the year, highlighting some of the super speakers, demonstrators and entertainers we had since January. Vice president Irene ( minutes secretary )then gave her report on our meetings over the year. Secretary Sheila, was congratulated on her first year in office as Secretary, and was thanked the excellent way she had carried out her duties. This was followed by a very comprehensive treasurers report from Margaret, who was also thanked for her excellent report and bookkeeping. The Committee for the ensuing year was swiftly dealt with and are as follows:
President: Edith Scott
Vice President: Irene Cotter
Secretary: Sheila Heatlie
Treasurer: Fiona Thomson
Minutes Secretary: Irene Cotter
Points Secretary: Joan Jamieson.
Committee: Gweyn Wiliamson, Sheena Galloway, Jill Freshwater, Dilys Wheelans, Jean Grieve, Margaret Rutter.
Four games of Beetle followed, which gave us lots of laughs. The winner was Joan, runner up wad Frieda and Gweyn received the b***y prize. Our next meeting, on the 9th December, will be our Christmas afternoon meal out, at The Fleece, 1.30 for 2pm, the competition is a Christmas Hat. Irene is in charge of the quiz. Thank's to Anne and Margot for the lovely tea. The competition wax (decorated Christmas biscuits) was won by Sheila with Jill runner up, well done ladies. The points winners will be announced at the Christmas meal.

20/10/2025

20/10/2025

At our 79th Birthday party, our entertainer was Selkirks own John Nichol, who opened with a song he had composed, especially for our Birthday Party!
His renditions from Sir Walter Scott, Harry Lauder, James Hogg, and himself, had us in stitches.
The tattie boggle story, was absolutely hilarious, where John played many characters, with many hat changes during the story.
Everyone joined in for the sea shanty, Fall down Billy Oshe. We all enjoyed a wonderful afternoon, with life members Margot Hastie and Anne Cochrane, cutting our lovely celebration cake. Thanks to all members for supplying the excellent buffet and raffle prizes.
Congratulations to Gweyn Williamson, on winning the members guess the babies photo's competition, which was not easy!
Irene Cotter thanked John very much for his great entertainment, saying everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the party. 🥳

22/07/2025

Members enjoyed our Summer Outing to the Fleece Hotel, in Selkirk, for a beautiful high tea. The competition, for a nice carrier bag, was won by Margit Hastie, with Dilys Wheelans 2nd and Sheila Heatlie 3rd place.
We look forward to seeing all members along with any new members, to our meeting on the 9th September, when the competition will be, guess the baby!

11/03/2025

Edith Introduced Pauline, who came from the Lavender Touch to give us an insight into this wonderful charity.
Pauline is the Charity development Manager, and started with the Lavender Touch in 2021. Along with six trustees, and another part time paid member of staff, supported by over 30 volunteers, and 8 therapists, they keep the charity well supported in its quest to help Cancer patients.
Established in 2003 the Lavender provide complementary therapies that can alleviate the effects of cancer and its treatments. They are the only group in the Borders offering this service. It comes at a price though, and to keep the service running it costs over £75k per year.
The volunteers play such an important part, keeping the shop running throughout the year, often finding some hidden treasurers in the donations.
Links to Home Start, Arthurshiels, Smalls for All and others also benefit from donations handed in. No big fundraisers are organised but sponsorship money, donations and fundraisers by outside sources are organised. A recent local lady organised a donation through her company who gave a £15k donation, this will be used on the therapy side of the business for training etc.
Therapists provide 6 treatments for someone going through cancer, and can also provide some treatments to the patients carers, if requested. Recipients are referred to the Lavender Touch by various professional bodies and treatments are given all over the Borders. A person needs to be referred for a session of treatments and last month they received 60 referrals. They are highly valued by NHS Borders.
Volunteers are always needed, you just need apply through their office or their shop, in Overhaugh Street, or telephone 01896 208 255.
Pauline was thanked for her excellent talk by Irene Cotter.
The Competition was a piece of Chocolate cake, and was won by:
1 Margot Hastie
2 Margaret Whyte
3 Sheila Heatlie
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 8th April, and is a hands on by Susie Finlayson.

14/01/2025

Midlem ladies enjoyed their first meeting of the new year, with a game of Bingo. The winners of the favourite Christmas ornament were:
1st, Mary Inglis 2nd, Cathy Borwick, 3rd, Gweyn Williamson.
Thanks were given to Dilys for arranging and calling the Bingo numbers.
Next month, 11th February, we will be getting a visit from, the Guide dogs for the Blind, when the competition will be a photograph of a dog.

30/12/2024

Midlem members enjoyed their Christmas meal, at the Kingsknowes Hotel, 17 members attended, and enjoyed, a lovely meal.
Members also enjoyed a Christmas Quiz, organised by Irene Cotter and won by Gweyn and Edith. Cathy Borwick won the best Christmas Jumper competition.
Thanks to Joan Jamieson, points Secretary, for announcing the winners of the yearly points prize, which was won by Sheila Heatlie, with Jill Freshwater winning the Shetland Bell.
This year, instead of a secret Santa, members gave a donation, which was shared between Selkirk Food Bank, and the Dialysis Unit at the Borders General Hospital.

15/11/2024

LADIES,
This month was our Annual General Meeting, followed by a hands on Christmas Decoration from Rhona and Sheila from Wiltondean.

President Edith, thanked everyone who has made team Midlem WI, the success we've been over the past year.

Special thanks to Sheila, who took over as Secretary from Gweyn, it's the hardest job on any committee, and I'm sure you'll agree, Sheila has taken to the job, like a duck to water, thanks Sheila for all your hard work over the year.
To our treasurer Margaret, I'd like to thank you for looking after our pennies, which in turn has taken care of our pounds also making sure we have enough to keep us going!

Edith spoke of the super syllabus over the year, with some great talks and demonstrations along with some hands on, many members produced some lovely craft skills in the hands on.
Edith gave a big thank you to our Vice President Irene, for taking the minutes every month and to Margot and Anne for taking charge of the raffle. Also to Joan for being Points Secretary, the winners will be announced at our Christmas meal.
At the Roxburghshire Show last month, though we are a small institute, we had a very successful show, winning three trophys! Congratulations to Margot on winning the Isa Yoemans memorial Trophy, for the best Tea Loaf exhibit.
Gweyn won a new trophy, for her Floral Art, exhibit, A table centre for a celebration dinner, in memory of Molly Marshall a stalwart of the Federation. Molly's whole family were there to see the trophy presented to Gweyn and a photo of Gweyn and Molly's grandchildren appeared in the Hawick News. Edith won the trophy for the best in Preserves and Produce for her Cherry Brandy. Anne and Edith won third place in the Inter institute competition for Let's get Ready to Party.
Sheila and Jill did a great job in the Inter Institute picnic competition.
Margaret, Irene, Sheila, Sheena, Jill, Anne, Margot, Ella, Gweyn, and Edith all got winning tickets and we should be very proud to have had such a successful day.
The raffle organised by Midlem, with Gweyn at the helm, made £2,184 pounds, and at the Federation meeting, Gweyn did mention the prizes given by our members which were greatly appreciated by all.
We have gained a new member this year and it would be lovely to see a few more join us next year.
Margaret Rutter gave her treasurers Report, with a healthy balance, finishing of our year.
Election of Office Bearers
President............... Edith Scott
Vice President ...... Irene Cotter
Treasurer .............. Margaret Rutter
Secretary................ Sheila Heatlie
Minute Secretary... Irene Cotter
Points Secy............ Joan Jamieson

Committee............. Sheena Galloway, Jean Grieve, Dilys Wheelans, Gweyn Williamson, Fiona Thomson and Jill Freshwater.

The winners of the Jar of Jam were:
1st Ella Nairn
2nd Sheena Galloway
3rd Irene Cotter
The second half of the afternoon, was a great hands on demonstration by two demonstration guru's Sheila Armstrong and Rhona Glendinning from Wiltondean. They very kindly demonstrated then helped members make Christmas Rolling Pin Decorations. We all enjoyed a very fun filled afternoon, with Irene giving the vote of thanks.

20/10/2024

That's Roxburgh Federation show done and dusted for another two years. Many thanks to our members who entered the many categories available, Midlem did really well, with many winning tickets being awarded, along with 3 trophy's !
Thank's to our members who helped with the raffle and stewarding and to those who came along to support the show.

The trophy results have been sent out out and winners are as follows:

Somerville Trophy for the Inter Institute Competition - Wilton Dean

Lilliesleaf Cup for most outstanding exhibition in Inter Institute Competition - Barbara Whitelaw (Langshaw)

Lady Fairfax-Lucy Community Cup - Wilton Dean

Inter Institute Cup for Institute with 17 members or more - Wilton Dean

Inter Institute Cup for Institute with less than 17 members - Makerstoun

Grierson Cup for the best exhibit in Knitting & Crochet - Kirsty Robb (Makerstoun)

Maxwellheugh Salver for the best exhibit in Embroidery - Louise Whittle (Makerstoun)

Jean Holmes Trophy for best exhibit in Sewing - Julia Partington (Langshaw)

Kath Runciman Quaich for best exhibit in Painting & Drawing - Susan Ross (Wilton Dean)

Constance Inglis Cup for best exhibit in Handcrafts - Susan Ross (WIlton Dean)

Mary B Jamieson Trophy for best novice exhibit in Handcrafts - Susan Ross (Wilton Dean)

Mary Palmer Douglas Cup for highest aggregate in Handrcafts - Kirsty Robb (Makerstoun)

Ness Trophy for Inter Institute Baking Competition - Langshaw

Silver Medal for best Gingerbread - Sally Martin (Newmill & Teviothead)

Isa Yeoman Memorial Trophy for best Tea Loaf - Margot Hastie (Midlem)

Ann Kennedy Cup for best novice exhibit in Baking - Grace Cessford (Morebattle)

Joyce Menzies Cup for best exhibit in Baking - Julia Scammell (Wilton Dean)

Brooks Cup for highest aggregate in Baking - Joan Duncan (Makerstoun)

Anderson Salver for best exhibit in Cooking - Sarah Plummer (Makerstoun)

Playfair Hannay Cup for best exhibit in Preserves and Produce - Edith Scott (Midlem)

Constance Gordon Cup for highest aggregate in Preserves and Produce - Sarah Plummer (Makerstoun)

Pickwell Salver for highest aggregate in Sweets - Sarah Plummer (Makerstoun)

Shield for best exhibit in novice Floral Art - Sarah Plummer (Makerstoun)

Molly Marshall Rosebowl for the best exhibit in Floral Art - Gweyn Williamson (Midlem)

Janet Warden Cup for highest aggregate in Floral Art - Sarah Plummer (Makerstoun)

Courtney Clarke Memorial Cup for most points in novice classes - Sarah Plummer (Makerstoun)

Inter Institute Photography Cup - Newmill & Teviothead

Edna Young Memorial Trophy for best exhibit in Photography - Lesley Easton (Heiton)

Shetland Clock (Chairman’s Choice) - Cheryl

20/05/2024

May Meeting.
Elaine Munro, very kindly came along at the very last minute, following the cancellation of our booked speaker who had been unable to attend.
Elaine started with a short quiz on different and very interesting facts about cancer.
She told us 80p out of every £1 donated goes straight to Cancer research UK.
Cancer Research has been involved in 8 out of 10 cancer break throughs.
Lung Cancer is still the biggest cause of death by cancer.
The Flame of hope award has been presented to the Selkirk Branch, fir all they've done and the hige amount of money they've raised over the years.
Everyone enjoyed Elaine's very informative and interesting talk.
Elaine very kindly judged the competition for the tray bake she liked the best, a very difficult job indeed. The winners were:
1 Jill Freshwater
2 Ella Nairn
3 Sheila Heatlie
Our next meeting is our June Outing, when we will be going to Branxholme Castle, Hawick, for afternoon tea.

19/05/2024

Members were delighted to welcome Michelle Ballantyne to their April meeting. Michelle is CEO and a trustee of The Haining , Selkirk.
Michelle explained why the trust was put in place and the different methods of raising money, to keep the Haining going. Stable flats were converted into holiday lets, artists studios were put in place and exhibitions were held in the main house, though these were restricted when dry rot was found.
Numerous grants were applied for to provide funding for work needing carried out.
Members were shown various stages of the work during the presentation. A new professional kitchen was fitted, the driveway was improved as were the driveway and paths surrounding this magnificent building. To date over £3.5 million has been spent on the house and activities are planned to support the future viability of The Haining events, such as weddings, exhibitions, private hires etc. There are hundreds of people who walk round the Haining every week, the changes through the seasons, are beautiful, the ducks are very well fed and the sponsored benches throughout the walks are very well used. The Haining is such an asset the Selkirk and the Trustees role is in the protection of the heritage and history. The volunteers are wonderful and the work couldn't be done without them.
Michelle's presentation was extremely informative and gave Midlem members an insight into the ongoing work to a building which is so important, not only to Selkirk and its residents, but also to all he visitors who visit every week.
The Haining is certainly a place for everyone.