To ensure that individual institutes would form part of a single body The Federation of Women’s Institutes was formed in Northern Ireland on 24 April 1932. In 1978 a headquarters was purchased, known as Federation house. Prior to 1955 The Federation of Women’s Institutes had been run on a county basis but in 1985 the Federation was reorganised into more manageable sections, 22 areas instead of 6 counties. Previously Limavady was part of the Co. Londonderry area under the

responsibility of two Executive members, Eileen Glover of Moneymore and Helen

Livingston, Garvagh. At the AGM in 1985 a new team of 22 executive members was elected and Doreen Nicholl represented Roe Valley and served for 3 years. Since then Aileen Gault has served for 6 years (1988-1994), Lindy Scott, Terrydremond served 6 years (1994-2000), Emily Blair, Ballykelly served 6 years (2000-2006), Lindy Scott served another 6 years (2006-2012) and currently Roberta Bradley elected in 2012 to serve 6 years.

On Tuesday 8th November 1955 with 47 members present, the formation of Myroe Women’s Institute took place. Mrs. Mercer, Organising Secretary, Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland, explained to those present what was looked for in a committee and how it would be elected and an agreement to elect 12 members was made. The 12 elected committee members were:

Mrs. R. Blackburn                       Miss. H. Lyons

Mrs. R. Brolly                              Mrs. S. McCunn

Miss. E. Cherry                           Mrs. G. McCurry

Mrs. M. Drennan                         Mrs. S.Mark

Mrs. J. D. Gibson                        Mrs.W.G.Nelson

Mrs G. Haslett                             Mrs. J. Shannon (elected President)

At this meeting the rules governing all institutes were read and explained and the decision was made to meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 8 o’clock in the Myroe War Memorial Hall. The First meeting took place on 13th December 1955 and was a party organised by the Committee members.

On Tuesday 6th August 1946 at Ballymaglin, Mrs Moody called a meeting in which the formation of a Women’s Institute in Aghanloo was agreed by 22 members. Mrs Mercer, Organising Secretary, Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland, spoke on the aims, methods and rules of the Women’s Institute Movement, and of the terms governing the election of President and Committee.

It was decided to elect a committee of 8 members. The 8 elected committee members were:

Mrs J R Love             Mrs F McCloy

Mrs Moody                Miss R McCloy

Mrs Moon                  Mrs Thompson

Mrs Young                 Miss E McCloy (elected President)

It was agreed to hold the first monthly meeting on September 16th at Tullyarmon, and after that to hold the monthly meetings on the 1st Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. Mrs McCloy, Mrs Moody and Mrs Young offered to house the meetings in turn.

On Friday 22nd November 1946 in the Public Elementary School, Ballykelly a preliminary meeting was held, where Mrs McCloy, chaired the meeting at which 20 people were present. Mrs Mercer, Organising Secretary, Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland, spoke on the aims and methods on Women’s Institutes and Miss Robertson shared on her experience in the recently formed institute at Aghanloo. It was then agreed that an institute at Ballykelly would be formed and that an official formation meeting for that purpose would take place.The formation meeting took place on Wednesday 11th December in Ballykelly Primary School.Mrs Mercer read and explained the institute rules and spoke of what to look for in a committee and the members decided to elect a committee of 11 members. The 11 elected committee members were:

Mrs Creswell                                      Mrs Conn

Mrs Gault                                           Mrs Henderson

Mrs McCloy (elected President)         Mrs O’Doherty

Miss Reid                                           Mrs Shields

Mrs Quinn                                          Miss Mc Nicholl

Mrs Stewart

It was decided to hold the regular meetings on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm beginning on Monday 6th January. The membership fee was to be 2/= per year and 1d per meeting to cover the cost of tea and sugar.

In 1948 Miss Shearmon saw the need for a centre for the women of the district to meet for special and

educational activities and soon after a Women’s Institute came into being. The Formation meeting was

held in the school on November 11th 1948. From a committee of 10, the office leaders were as

follows: President Miss R. S. Shearmon, Vice President Miss Mooney. The Secretary was Miss Morrison and the Treasurer was Mrs M. McCaughey. Membership for the first few years numbered at 20 but over the years almost doubled. The activities of the institute have been many with varied craft work being the most popular of pursuits. The institute like others has been a great help and benefit to the local community.

On November 19th, 1946 a preliminary meeting called by Mrs. Hunter, was held at the Technical School, Limavady where the unanimous decision amongst the 47 present was made to form a Women’s Institute in Limavady. The Formation meeting of Limavady Women’s Institute was held in the Technical School at 7.30pm on December 10th 1946. After a few words on Committees by Mrs Mercer, Organising Secretary, Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland, the 53 members present decided to elect a committee of 12. The 12 elected committee members were:

Mrs. G. Brolly            Mrs. Moffatt

Mrs. Gough               Mrs. Mullan

Mrs. Hunter               Miss McConnell

Miss Hunter               Mrs. Macrory (elected President)

Mrs. Irwin                  Mrs. O’Hanlon

Mrs. Kyle                   Miss Rea

On February 21st, 1949 at 7.30pm with 46 members present the Formation meeting of the Dungiven

Women’s Institute was held in the Court House. Mrs. Mercer, Organising Secretary, Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland, spoke of what to look for in the committee to be formed, and the members decided to elect 10.

The 10 elected committee members were:

Mrs. Buchanan                                               Mrs. Bunn

Mrs. R. Fallows (Treasurer)                           Miss M. Friel (Press-Correspondent)

Mrs. S. Milikin                                                 Mrs. A. MacLurg

Mrs. J. W. Semple (elected President)           Miss B. B. Stevenson

Mrs. J. Stewart (Vice President)                     Mrs. M.M. Young (Secretary)

The women’s Institute rules were read and explained, and then the members formed groups to make suggestions for the programme. It was decided to hold the monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of every month, in the Court House at 7.30pm, the first meeting to be on March 15th, 1949. In the early 1950’s meetings moved to the Guildhall and in 1965 to the Intermediate School, before moving to the sports pavilion in 1985 and, finally in the 1990’s to what is now known as Glenshane House.

After starting the year celebrating their 60th anniversary, it was with great sadness that their Christmas

Party at the end of the same year was to be the final meeting for the 14 members of Dungiven W.I., some of which had been members for over 50 years.