Queen Camilla's message to Scottish Women's Institute members in Moray: 'I will drink a toast to your 100th birthday'
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QUEEN Camilla toasted the 100th anniversary of Moray and Nairn's oldest branch of the Scottish Women's Institutes (SWI).
Cranloch SWI members and guests were delighted to receive a letter of congratulation from the wife of King Charles III at their special birthday celebration before Christmas.
President Audrey Gibb said the royal note made the event at Inchberry Hall even more special.
"One of our members wrote to her and she very kindly wrote a letter back and congratulated us on our 100th birthday and said she would drink a toast to us.
"We had the letter on a display so everybody could read it."
The history of Cranloch, formed in December 1923 by the then head master's wife at the local school, was researched and presented by members.
That included many of the hand-written archives before the advent of computers.
The 100 years of Cranloch SWI – in words and photographs – was on display boards around the hall, which has been its home since 2000 when the hall was built.
"It felt like history in the making. We also included lots of events that were happening in the world at the time," added Mrs Gibb.
"It was a really enjoyable afternoon. We cut our birthday cake and people enjoyed a glass of bubbly or cup of tea. There was lots of home baking.
"It was a great success and went very well indeed. There were about 50 guests, including our own members."
The national SWI president, Mary Burney, attended from Edinburgh as did national board member Sybil Stuart, who is also president of Fochabers SWI.
"The members made a superb display, a timeline from 1923, down both sides of the hall. It was amazing," said Mrs Gibb.
Cranloch SWI used to meet in the local school until it closed, and then met at members' home and other local venues such as Baxters, before finding a permanent home again at Inchberry Hall.
