TRADITIONAL and modern crafts were showcased at their finest when women's institutes from across County Durham held a craft and home produce fair at the weekend.

The Durham County Federation of WIs held the contest for all 96 of its groups as a preview to an exhibition at Ripley Castle, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, next May 10 to 13, which will celebrate 90 years of the movement.

From embroidered cushions and beaded jewellery to jars of pickle and loaves, entries to the home economics and craft exhibition impressed visitors at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church.

Home economics chairman Sheila Tock said: "We were very pleased with the turnout and there were some beautiful pieces on display."

County chairwoman Audrey Flanagan said: "The event shows that there is something in the WI for everyone. We try to preserve traditional crafts and cooking that are not being taught in the classroom like they used to be.

"But we are more progressive than people think, and develop new crafts and activities and bring issues to the forefront such as growing concern over child obesity and the trafficking of women and children."

RESULTS

Best In Show Trophies

Home economics - Maureen Mason; Craft - Sheila Tock; floral, Mary Hutton; Market Basket - Lanchester WI; Most Points - Witton-le-Wear WI.

Home Economics

Fruit cake - Margaret Salked; Cherry cake - Freda Bulman; Chocolate cake - Dorothy Proud; Victoria sandwich - Margaret Miller; Fatless sponge - Doreen Dowson; Teabread - Margaret Foster; Ginger cake - Sheila McMillan; Apple pie - Margaret Foster; Custard tart - Sheila Tock; Savoury flan - Sheila Tock; Shortbread - Dorothy Proud; Savoury muffins - Tina Naples; Sweet muffins - Doreen Dowson; Ginger nuts - Freda Bulman; Traybake - Freda Bulman; Cheese scones - Heather Parkin; Bread - Joan Simmonds; Brown bread - Pat Knox; Marmalade - Margaret Gould; Raspberry jam - Margaret Gould; Blackcurrant jam - Dorothy Proud; Jelly - Margaret Gould; Chutney - Maureen Mason; Lemon curd - Eveline Cowan; Sugar craft - Shirley Fisher; Flower basket - Mary Hutton; Floral arrangement - Mary Hutton; Flowers and foliage, Mary Hutton.

Crafts

Beadwork jewellery - Clarice Cooper; Other beadwork - Clarice Cooper; Canvas work - Shield McMillan; Needle case - Marjorie Chesterton; pin cushion - E Howard; Mini embroidery - Rita Probert; Embroidered picture - Margaret Richards; Cross stitch - M Grisedale; Hardanger - Sheila Tock; Embroidered greetings card, - Dorothy Allan; Greetings card - Nancy Earl; Knitted bag - L Gregson; Knitted cushion - Ann Mutton; Teddy - Pauline Peart; Soft toy - Sheila Browbank; Patchwork - Ann Clare; Quilting - Margaret Foster; Silk painting - J Sams; Decoupage - Irene Hill; Potpourri sachet - Sheila Tock; Bookmark - Sheila Browbank; Wood - Nancy Earl; Encaustic art - Anne Eynon; Painted card - Joan Hetherington; Pastel - Sheila Storey; Landscape - Lynn Dean.

Young Farmers Award - Michael Cowan.