Hermitage Evening TG: THE Hermitage Townswomen's Guild met in Red Rose School this month mourning the loss of a founder member, Joan Rochester.

She was the inspiration of the work carried out by the members of the craft class, and her natural talents at flower arranging and cake decoration won many trophies for the Guild. Her vibrant personality will be very much missed.

Mrs Wood read the minutes and members were reminded of Federation Day, on May 25, at Gateshead Civic Centre, where their newly-designed banner will be judged; a coffee morning on May 26 at Methodist Chapel; and the Federation outing to Harrogate and Harlow Carr Gardens, on August 17.

Speaker Peter Weighill told of his life in the fire service with great humour and interest. The subject of June's speaker will be the restoration of Saltwell Park.

Members were told that their nomination of Chester-le-Street Junior Theatre Group for the council's Young Achievers of the Year award was successful and that the group was the winner.

The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm in Red Rose School on Tuesday, June 14.

North Lodge WI

BRENDA Dawson welcomed members and new member Gwen Jackson to the May meeting. Aileen Pigott read the minutes and dealt with correspondence.

The speaker was Alex Nelson, station master at Chester-le-Street rail station, who spoke about rail station activities. This was followed by a lively question time.

Margaret Blackie gave a very good report on the county AGM. Freda Greenwell spoke about the resolutions and members voted.

The competition for a railway memento was won by June Thompson with Joyce Whitmore second and Maud Jones third. Social time, How Many Words From Railway Station, was won by Olive Murrell, Mabel Winter second and Brenda Dawson, third.

Members were looking forward to an outing to Edinburgh, by train, and the group meeting at Great Lumley.

The next meeting is on June 9, in the United Reformed Church, at 7pm. Visitors and new members welcome.