Juniper Green Scottish Women's Rural Institute with their personal motto "To see much is to learn more!"
Early days
The Juniper Green branch of the Scottish Women's Rural Institute (motto: for Home and Country) was started on October 10th 1927 when eighty women were attracted to a meeting in St Margaret's Church Hall. The first President was Mrs Flett from Hartfell in Colinton, supported by Mrs Potter from Wester Hailes, Mrs James Logan from 15 Muirend Avenue, Mrs Dea from Redthorne, Mrs Marshall from Ivy Terrace, Mrs Meikle from Fernieflat and Mrs Howitt from Fernie Cottage all from Juniper Green. There were a further seven committee members from the other valley villages.
Juniper Green's SWRI in 2007
In 2007 the "Rural" still meets every month in Juniper Green, though now (since 1984) in the Village Hall. Members speak of valuing the Rural for:
- the "supportive spirit that pervades "of female companionship, sharing and learning."
- the entertainment, the outings, the meetings with other institutes, the opportunities to try crafts and activities in a non-competitive environment and
- the chance to get away from the television!
Studying information on the history of Juniper Green at a meeting of the SWRI on February 12th 2007
Activities over the years
Funds have been raised by raffles, Open Nights, sales tables, and by one enterprising member charging for the use of her house's passageway as a shortcut! Diligent committee members have arranged summer outings, for instance to Gullane in 1930, Peebles, Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline and in 2007 to Lindisfarne.
Garden and Christmas Parties have also featured while every ten years Juniper Green branch holds its own very special birthday party. In 1987 it took place at Heriot-Watt and in 1997 at Baberton Golf Club.
The Rural's 60th birthday. From the left Helen Forrester, Lady Orr, Mrs Gow, Mrs Wylie, Peggy Bell and Hilda Ross
By the 1930s enduring features of the SWRI began to emerge:
- centrally organised classes,
- local committees for tea and for visiting the sick.
- The rural song is sung and a beautiful silk banner in green and yellow embroidered by Mrs Flett is displayed. Two tablecloths embroidered with members' names are also treasured.
This tablecloth was created by Mrs Culbert and Mrs Gow to commemorate past members of Juniper Green's Rural
A feisty monthly motto reminded members "the best way to please our half of the world is not to mind what the other half says"
During the war the Rural's effort was directed to sending a monthly "comforts box" to the crew of a ship of the Royal Navy : it was called HMD "Golden Effort". Then, after the war a mammoth fundraising initiative raised £1300 to build a bungalow for a returning disabled serviceman at 22 Woodhall Drive.
In 1946 the Rural moved its meetings to St Andrews Kirk Hall and by 1966 it had researched and published a superb history of Juniper Green.
Special memories
At the meeting in February 2007 those present spoke of other members who meant a lot to them: from the simple tribute to "C...who keeps me a seat!" to "Sheila Wilson who is special!" .
70th Birthday 1997. From left Irene Byers, Amy Stewart, Peggy Fisher , Sheila Wilson, Margaret Mackay, Lady Orr, Gladys Watt
Dot Marshall for being a delightful lady and endlessly patient, Irene Byers who "just got on with the job and did it immaculately!" The late Lady Orr was in many people's thoughts and acknowledged unanimously and affectionately because "She knew her Rural and kept us all in order!"
