Maud Steele, Chairperson of the Flower Show Committee, welcomed exhibitors and visitors to the ‘new look’ show in First Kilrea Church Hall and thanked the judges who had given their time to assess all the exhibits, and everyone who had contributed in any way to make the Show such a success. The 2024 Show was scaled back to 23 classes, but nevertheless almost 200 exhibits were on display. Maud thanked the Rev Dr McCormick and the Kirk Session of First Kilrea Church for kindly allowing the Hall and excellent facilities to be used.
She paid tribute to two former stalwarts of Kilrea Flower Show, who are deeply missed by all WI members and the community: Mrs Margaret Bamford who served faithfully as Chairperson for 20 years and as a committee member for 35 years and Mrs Hazel McComb who served on committee for 30 years and was widely recognised for her beautiful craftwork and for the inspiration she instilled in so many. Jennifer Gardiner then presented the Hazel McComb Memorial Cup to the Flower Show in memory of her mother. Maud introduced her daughter Miss Linda Steele, High Sheriff of Co.
Londonderry, as the guest to open the Show. Linda gave a short history of the origins of the Women’s Institute movement in Canada in 1897 and how the first Institute in Northern Ireland was formed in 1932 in Garvagh, and in 1937 in Kilrea. Linda fondly remembered entering exhibits as a child and over recent years as a teacher in Kilrea PS encouraging pupils to have a go! All profits fro.