We have weekly events across all our Federations and will be posting a full event diary soon, as part of the website.
Below is a summary of our main and most popular events for members. We hope you take part and look forward to seeing you there.
Please also note, if you are a member and would like to add an event to this page, please contact us and we would be delighted to add it to the events diary.
This years National Conference will take place on Saturday 8th September within Perth Concert Hall, Perth.
The theme of the conference is 'Going Strong a Future For All'
Confirmed Speakers are Nick Newman from ACWW, and Ingred Kilner.
Cost of registration for Voting Delegates and Visiting Members is £18. Visitor and Delegate Forms have been sent to federations. Last date of registration is 10th August 2018.
Registration will take place from 9.15am with conference commencing at 10.30am.
Visitor Members Form be downloaded from the Events section of the Members Area and returned to HQ with payment or alternatively payment can be made by BACS.
University of Stirling, Stirling – 30 July – 3 August 2018
Attending SWI summer school affords members from throughout Scotland the ideal opportunity to learn new skills, renew acquaintances and make new friends. In 2018 we will be based at Stirling University. So, whether it will be your first SWI Summer School or you have been before, we hope that you will apply to come in 2018. It’s time to think about which class you would like to attend.
The initial ballot has been done. There are places left in the following classes:
MINDFULNESS “Creating Space with Johnny Glover" - Johnny will introduce the course on Monday evening. Each day will start with a gentle yoga class consisting of breathing practices, gentle movement and relaxation. After the break there will be a Qigong class - consisting of gentle standing movements (easier than Tai Chi) and short sitting practices. After lunch there will be a Mindfulness class and after the break a concluding talk. The posture work is slow and gentle and therefore suitable for complete beginners and those with conditions for which strenuous exercise is not advised. Please bring comfortable layers of clothing so that you can move freely yet remain warm and a blanket for the relaxations. There will be spare mats, blocks and cushions, but you are welcome to bring your own. Tutor: Johnny Glover
SILK PAINTING In this class students will be using specific silk paints, run resist solution and sea salt for effect. They will be mixing colours and using shading to complete at least one of each of these – cushion cover, picture, scarf, card and more if time allows. Tutor: Margaret Fleming
SINGING FOR FUN Imagine doing an activity which is good for you physically, socially, emotionally and mentally; and sharing in fun and laughter at the same time. We will use songs from a variety of sources, including well-known and not-so-well-known numbers. You do not have to be a ‘singer’ but you do have to enjoy singing! Tutor: Cath Munro
SKETCHING AND DRAWING This class will be looking at and experimenting with various mediums to draw and sketch. Learning about and using tonal variation. Adding colour. Making quick informative sketches for use in paintings. Drawing from observation, photos and imagination. Tutor: Pat Bray. Please not this is a new tutor.
SWI reserve the right to cancel classes should there be insufficient support.
The Plain Sewing and Public Speaking classes were cancelled due to a lack of support from members.
The accommodation for the Summer School will be in Willow Court which is short walk from the classrooms and refectory. However, it has a car park, so is fully accessible for those who do not wish to walk between buildings. All the accommodation will be in single ensuite bedrooms.
If you are interested in attending and would like to receive an application form with full details regarding cost etc, please write to SWI Headquarters, 42 Heriot Row, Edinburgh, EH3 6ES with a SAE, or alternatively e-mail educ.int@theswi.org.uk
10 November 2018
Anstruther-Gray Drama Competition – Radio Play Competition
Community Theatre, Arran High School, Lamlash, Arran
Arran Federation
SWI offers members the opportunity to attend weekend schools, particularly in handcrafts and Scottish Country Dancing. These are held in suitable venues in various parts of the Scotland.
The 2019 Scottish Country Dance Weekend for SWI members will be held in Fisher’s Hotel, Pitlochry on 8, 9 and 10 March.
For more information please contact SWI Headquarters.
The Handcrafts Weekend School will take place 12th to 14th October 2018. The venue is Peebles Hydro Hotel. The subjects are ‘Soft Furnishings’ – the Tutor will be Isobel Robertson. ‘Cane Basketry’ – the Tutor will be Helen Quartermaine. This is also open to non-residents. If you wish an application form, please send an S.A.E to SWI Headquarters for the attention of Pamela Black. Please note there are only 12 spaces available per class and therefore there will be a ballot for places. This will take place on the 31st May 2018.
SWI organises Study Tours, both abroad and to other parts of the UK, which include programmes of educational visits and meetings with members of our sister organisations.
SWI organises national competitions in curling, stadium bowling, outdoor bowling and golf. Federations select a team(s), usually by competition, to represent them in the competition.
Due to issues with catering at previous sports competitions, all refreshments must be ordered and paid for in advance for players and spectators. Refreshment vouchers will be distributed on the day and these should be handed over for refreshments.
The dates of the next National Competitions are:
Curling Bonspiel
20 March 2018 at The Peak, Stirling
Stadium Bowling Competition
17 April 2018
Arbroath & District Indoor Bowling Club
Angus Federation
Please note this is a new date
Outdoor Bowling Competition
7 August 2018 - Stonehaven Bowling Club, Kincardineshire Federation
Golf Competition
28 August 2018 at Duff House Royal Golf Club, Banff
Walking Weekend
The next Walking Weekend for SWI Members will take place in Spring 2019.
Golf Competition 2019
27 August 2019, Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club, Arran Federation
*Please click the side arrow to access the Guidelines relating to these events.
For federations who are hosting, or interested in hosting, SWI Sports Competitions, you can view our Guidelines for the following:
The Royal Highland Show is from 21 - 24 June 2018.
SWI is responsible for managing the Handcrafts Pavilion.
The office bearers and members on duty in the Handcrafts Pavilion look forward to meeting you at the show
A stewarding form is available to download here.
The royal highland show 2018 hancrafts schedule available here.
JANUARY to DECEMBER 2018/2019
Subject - Needle Felting
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we now only have one Scholar - Jay Hutchison, Perth & Kinross who will be able to run the classes. Requests for any federation classes can also be held in 2019. This information has been sent to the Federation and Handcraft & Housewives Secretaries. Please contact Pamela Black at SWI Headquarters office, if you have any queries. In the event of a federation having to cancel their class, Headquarters and the Scholar must be informed at least four weeks in advance.
Welcome to our National Proficiency Certificate Programme. We are delighted that you are considering sitting a Certificate.
New Proficiency Certificate Schedules
A new Handcrafts and also Housewives Proficiency Certificate schedule marked ‘Revised & Updated 2017’ has been compiled. If you wish to apply for a Certificate, please ensure that you have a copy of this. Both Proficiency Certificate Schedule ‘Rules for Candidates’ Booklets are available free of charge from Headquarters or please contact Pamela Black by email hand.house@theswi.org.uk
**Members please note these are for tests being applied for from 2018 onwards. Application forms and information for Autumn and Spring 2018 tests for the federations eligible have been sent out. If you wish to apply, please contact your Handcrafts & Housewives Secretary. All applications must go through your secretary. These then are forwarded to Headquarters. The deadline for Spring Certificates is the 1st of October for the following year and the deadline for Autumn Certificates is the 1st of March.
The downloadable booklets will give you all the answers to any queries you may have.
Hand Patchwork and Machine Patchwork Certificates
Please note this page has been amended, if you have a copy of the new schedule please download this page and attach it or alternatively download the amended booklet above.
- hand patch certificate
- machine patch certificate
Proficiency Certificate Schedule
Welcome to our Education & International Committee Proficiency Certificate Programme.
We are delighted that you are considering sitting a certificate.
The downloadable booklet will give you all the answers to any queries you may have.
The 2018 Competition will be for a ‘Spring Floral Crochet Wreath’
Please note this is only for members who attended the 2017 Federation classes.
Should you wish to enter please contact Pamela Black at SWI Headquarters. The entry form (accompanied by a fee of £1.50) should be returned to the Handcrafts Secretary, SWI Headquarters, 42 Heriot Row, Edinburgh EH3 6ES not later than Friday 14th September 2018 Further instructions and details will be sent to each competitor after this date. No late entry forms will be accepted. Each Competitor will be responsible for his/her own entry, suitably packed for being delivered to SWI Headquarters, 42 Heriot Row, Edinburgh, EH3 6ES to arrive not later than Friday September 28th 2018. SWI cannot be held responsible for an entry arriving damaged or late. If you have not received further instructions, including tags etc, by 21ST September 2018, please contact Headquarters. The closing date for the arrival of entries is Friday 28th September 2018. No late entries will be accepted. Judging will take place at Headquarters in October 2018. Headquarters will arrange for the unpacking and repacking of entries at the time of judging. Entries will be displayed at Headquarters during the November meetings week, commencing 19th November 2018. For acknowledgement of your entry please send an S.A.E
Gardening Scotland will be held at Ingliston on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of June. Once again SWI has been offered an opportunity to have a stand at this event. Throughout the weekend a variety of crafts will be demonstrated.
The Federation competition is for a small jar (approx. 1/2 lb) of Rhubarb & Ginger Jam. Federations organise their own eliminations – contact your Federation Secretary for more information. The individual competition is for 3 Empire Biscuits and is open to all members of institutes. Any number of members per institute can enter. Contact your Institute Secretary for more information.
Window Boxes – for this competition they can be any size up to 60 cm in length – generally 20cm wide – plastic containers can be used for ease of transport. These can feature either ornamental or culinary plants. Window boxes will be judged from the front only.
Please note that all application forms should be sent to SWI and not Gardening Scotland. A full set of rules and application forms can be downloaded - please see below. They are also available from Pamela Black at headquarters-email hand.house@theswi.org.uk or call 0131 225 1724. The closing date is the 27th April 2018.
We have also been offered a stand at Crafting Live which will be held at Ingliston on the 1st and 2nd of June only.
We will need stewards throughout the show for both these events and we would be grateful if members would volunteer to steward for two hours. The shifts are from 10 am – 12noon, 12noon – 2pm, 2pm-4pm with the rest of the time available to enjoy the show. Stewards will be offered entry tickets but no travel expenses.
If you are willing to steward at either or both of these shows, please complete the form(s) below and return to HQ as soon as possible. You will be contacted directly by HQ nearer the time.
Individual Competition Entry Form
The 2018 Warnock Trophy Competition is:
“A Montage - Centenary Celebrations – Maximum Size A3”
The entry form is available from Headquarters, please send a stamped self-addressed envelope. Or alternatively it is available to download from the SWI website, under the Communications Committee section on the Members Area.
The closing date for entry forms is Friday, 15 June 2018 and the closing date for the entry is Friday, 29 June 2018.