Council Chair hosts a reception for Clanbogan WI’s 80th anniversary

Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, hosted a reception for Clanabogan Women’s Institute to mark its 80th anniversary.

The following is the speech made by the Chair at the reception which was held in The Grange, Omagh:

Good evening Councillors and Ladies

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to The Grange, Omagh for this reception to mark the 80^th anniversary of Clanabogan Women’s Institute.

Clanabogan WI was formed on 27 April 1945 and evolved from a Knitting Circle which had been set up by Mrs Colonel Galbraith at Clanabogan Estate during the war years.  Th companionship and sense of community and togetherness which developed amongst the group inspired Mrs Galbraith to establish a WI in the local area.

You meet every 2^nd Friday of the month and you currently have a membership of approximately twenty.  As well as your monthly meetings where you have a variety of speakers and activities, you also attend meetings and events as part of the Clogher Valley Area of the Women’s institute.

You have many talented members within eh Institute including knitters, bakers and flower arrangers to name a few.  One of the most notable achievements for the Institute was in 1999 when Frances Robinson wont he Clogher Valley Area Bowls Competition and went on to win the Northern Ireland Competition receiving a beautiful Tyrone Crystal trophy.

Irene McCauley has also brought recognition to the Institute winning a number of prizes for her knitting including the Clogher Valley Area Silver Salver in 2014 for a beautiful tea cosy I am told.

During your 80 year history, another notable occasion was then Dorothy King was privileged to meet the now Queen Camilla when she visited Fermanagh in 2009.  This was a special moment as she is also a member of the WI.

The Women’s Institute is the largest organisation for women in Northern Ireland and it is open to women of all ages and backgrounds who are involved in extraordinary activities.  The aim of the WI is to promote any work which makes for the betterment of the home and development and improvement of urban and rural area through social and educational activities.

You have demonstrated that you are doing extraordinary activities for women and the wider community in the Clanabogan area showing that rural communities are resilient and thriving.

I commend all Presidents, Secretaries and Committee Members, past and present, for all your work to prepare a programme of events and organise activities each year to ensure that Clanabogan WI continues for the benefit of the local area providing opportunities for women to showcase their talents, try new things, socialise and make friendships.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our communities are strong, thriving, resilient and safe and groups such as Clanabogan WI help us to achieve this.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I congratulate Clanabogan WI on reaching this significant  80^th anniversary milestone and I wish you continued success for the future.

Thank you.