Gilesgate Evening Townswomen's Guild : THE guild held its monthly meeting on Monday, November 1, in the St John Ambulance Hall. It was the guild's 53rd birthday meeting.

The chairman, Jennie O'Hare, welcomed everyone and the guild anthem was sung. The usual business items, minutes, finances etc were conducted. The date for the Christmas lunch is Thursday, December 16, at Harperley Hall.

There was no speaker, so the 53rd birthday celebrations went ahead. The guild provided beautiful refreshments of sweet and savoury delicacies and the usual tea and coffee. Nancy Urwin, who made and iced the birthday cake, did the honours of cutting the cake and giving the toast. White wine and cake was served to all.

There was a table full of memorabilia, photo albums and photographs of past events, and also the very first guild minutes and committee meeting book from November 1951. Everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and had a really good chatter. A good night was had by all.

The competition, a teddy bear, was won by Margaret Cullingford. The special raffle of a hand-painted picture by Shirley Whiteley, was won by Nancy Urwin. Other winners were Betty Collins, Sandra Mitchelson, Jean Tilly, Lily Robinson and Jill Kennick.

The date of the next meeting is Monday, December 6.

New Brandon WI

THE president Eileen Gatiss welcomed members to the meeting, then a remembrance silence was kept in memory of those who had lost their lives in conflict.

Member Mary Hutton gave an excellent demonstration of flowers with a hint of Christmas, which everyone enjoyed. The competition for a flower picture was won by Linda Griffiths.

Arrangements were finalised for the coffee morning, which will be held at Silver Courts Hall, Brandon, on Saturday, at 10am. Refreshments, including bacon sandwiches, will be available as well as cakes and craft stalls, tombola and bingo. Everyone is welcome.

Merry Oaks WI

THE president Margaret Thornhill welcomed members to the November meeting, which had something of a wartime flavour. John Bygate was the speaker and gave a very detailed illustrated talk on the Birtley Belgians. Later, Margery Chesterton told members of how her navigator pilot husband had become a prisoner of war and subsequently a member of the 'Caterpillar Club' - having been saved by his silk parachute.

The competition -- A Wartime Souvenir - was won by Margaret Thornhill and Valerie Richardson. Social time took the form of Down Memory Lane, with songs from that era, organised by Sheila Storey.

The secretary Edith Hall dealt with the business. Final arrangements were made for the visit to Harperley Hall and the Christmas dinner.

The next meeting is on December 14, when the Christmas celebrations begin.

Newton Hall WI

TWO new members, Lylia Graham and Audrey Richardson, were welcomed to the meeting by the president Dorothy Hodgson.

Gwen Scott read last month's minutes and gave her report on the well-attended Autumn Council meeting.

Margaret Heathcote won the door prize and Marlyn Rippon won the raffle.

Janet Gibson thanked the committee for organising this month's social evening when a Beetle Drive and a picture quiz was held.

The next meeting on December 1 will be a Christmas party at the Community Centre, followed on December 8, by the institute's Christmas dinner at Bowburn Hall.