Culrain Hall plant and garden fete a ‘great success’ after attracting support from businesses and the local community
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The beautiful sunny weather on Saturday (May 18) saw hundreds of people from across Sutherland attend the Culrain & District Hall Plant & Garden Fete.
The event was a celebration of nature with a range of activities taking place. A large marquee had been erected to accommodate a plant market and refreshments along with stalls selling honey, eggs and preserves.
Many plants were provided by the Farmer Gracy company who have generously supported the event for a second year, and Scotsburn Garden Centre, Tain which also generously donated a wide range of plants.
Spread around the hall grounds were craft stalls from local business selling their wares, together with gardening implements, tools and quirky items, which were sold to raise money for the refurbishment of the hall.
An impressive selection of mouth-watering, home baked cakes and biscuits were available to take with afternoon tea and coffee.
The competitions proved to be well supported, especially the baking competition for three muffins of any type. This was won by Jackie Fisher from Rosehall with her Zucchini and Chocolate Chip, which judge Kerry Hawthorne described as full of flavour and of perfect texture.
This competition was kindly sponsored by Green’s Restaurant Dornoch who provided a £50 voucher as the winning prize.
The Deputy Lieutenant of Sutherland, Christine Mackay, once again judged the ‘Best Garden Themed Hat’ which was supported by the Ardgay Stores and, for the children, was won by Ottilie Williams with Graham Charge having the best adult hat.
The ‘Guess the Weight of the Cake’ competition was very close and won by Rupert Haig Thomas, who guessed a weight of 2.35kg. The stunning cake was made by Sarah Vennels of Culrain.
The children enjoyed a range of games and activities including a trail through Carbisdale Forest, swing-ball, quoits and an electric buzzer game.
The mixture of young and old added to the character of the day, which was enhanced further with piper Gilly Bee playing a selection of stirring tunes that had hands clapping and feet tapping well into the afternoon. For the hall’s refurbishment project the day was a great success with £1538 raised.
Chair Graham Charge said “it is so nice to see so many people enjoying themselves, it makes all the hard work put in by the committee worthwhile and we are very grateful to all of our sponsors without whom the event would not have been possible”.
