Round the Regions - Lothians and Borders

Trefoil members from around Lothians and Borders continue to enjoy a variety of meetings.

In Berwickshire, members tried silk painting flower pictures after one member enjoyed doing this at last year’s TG Craft weekend. This was very popular. Two new members were enrolled!
Scott Smith, a young silversmith, attended a meeting when he talked about his training and successful fledgling business and showed some of his tools and wonderful designs. Members were so interested that they visited the Hugo Burge Foundation Open Day to see Scott and many of the ‘makars’ and artists supported by the foundation at their workshops at Marchmont House near Duns.
Many members completed Motivate, Chocolate Challenge, Scottish Challenge and STARS!

Roxburghshire
Amongst other things, in the Spring members took part in Forth Valley Chocolate Challenge, including making chocolate bouquets, visiting the Chocolatorium in Edinburgh, and researching the ethics of chocolate. Four members from Roxburghshire Trefoil, joined by others from Berwickshire and further afield, were part of Team Scotland which covered the Byrness to Kirk Yetholm section of Girlguiding North West's Pennine Challenge in June.
In July seven members went on a four-day coastal adventure in Northumberland. A packed programme included sea swimming (or dooking, for the less brave!); hauling lobster pots on a fishing boat; making felt pictures of Coquet Island; plus visiting a nature reserve, the Grace Darling Museum and Warkworth Castle!

East Lothian County Trefoil Guild together with Musselburgh Guild and the Friends of ACH (Allison Cargill House) went to Archerfield Walled Garden in May. The guide, one of the gardeners, gave a very informative tour of the gardens, with explanations of the planting and their future plans for the garden. Following the tour, there were welcome refreshments in the cafe and then some retail therapy in the shop!
MIDLOTHIAN
Three members who had recently visited Sangam, shared tales of their adventures and experiences there and brought along many photos, postcards, bangles, saris, books and even a rug to enhance their talk! The interesting and informative evening ended with a chance to try Indian snacks.
A BBQ and walk gave informal opportunities to meet over the
summer.

EDINBURGH
County Guild members were delighted that one of their own, Susan Brown, was nominated as a finalist in the Volunteer Youth Worker category at the Youth Link Scotland National Youth Work Awards. 12 members from Inveralmond camped, (lower bunk beds only!) at Stainmuir for 2 nights during a weekend in March. 2 other members came for the day on Saturday. Great fun. Lots of laughter & Camp; chat. 
WEST LOTHIAN
In January the ‘Burns Lunch’ was so much enjoyed, it is now an annual event. March saw a visit from the Scottish Owl Centre along with 2 beautiful owls. In April one of the members amused everyone with Scottish Poems and stories. This was followed in May by an interesting talk from ‘Boomerang’ the talking newspaper for the blind. Meanwhile all year round, on the last Monday of every month,
a Scottish Country dancing class takes place - ‘The Happy Hoofers’.