WRI Meeting

Editor: Jean Marshall. Added: Thursday, January 12, 2012.

ISLE OF WHITHORN W.R.I.

The January Meeting of the Isle of Whithorn W.R.I. was opened by the President, Dorothy McIlwraith, who welcomed those present and wished everyone a Happy New Year.
After apologies were given and some business discussed the speaker Mrs. Mioara Brown from the Isle of Whithorn was welcomed, wearing traditional Romanian costume, and she proceeded to give a fascinating illustrated story of her life in her homeland Romania.

Having been brought up in a communist regime it was evident from photographs that uniforms were worn from an early age and the communists had control over the human mind. Throughout schooling there was strict discipline. A picture of a bookshop in Ceacsceau's times showed only his work in the window. Writers, poets, and actors were not respected and all reading matter had to be passed. Typewriters had to be declared to the police. People found they were not trusting of others and letters and parcels were censored. Romanian Patriotic Guard training was mandatory. There was little in the food markets with long queues, often from 4 a.m., standing for milk. All lives were suppressed with fear but people had to put a face on it and go out and work. Religion was forbidden and any gatherings were carefully monitored.

In the second part of Mioara's presentation she showed a map with the river Danube crossing all five Romanian National Parks. The country has 41 counties and 23 million people. Some film showed the mix of architecture throughout the country and took us round her home city Lasi, After the Revolution the Romanians got their land back and traditional farming methods are still used. Mioara showed pictures of her own family and how traditional costumes vary in each region. Now education is very important in children's lives along with success bit it has taken a long time for formalities to change throughout Romania.

Margaret Cronie thanked Mioara for such an interesting presentation, letting us see what conditions were like in Romania, and for putting several traditional items on display.

COMPETITION RESULTS:
Stem from your Garden:
1. Margaret Cronie
2. Vivien Campbell
3. Elma Carle

Next meeting - Monday 6th February, 2012 John Wilson showing glass slides of Whithorn and the Isle c1910. Guests are very welcome.

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