Annfield Plain WI: PRESIDENT Mrs Collin welcomed members to the November meeting.

Miss Ellwood read the minutes and correspondence was discussed. Mrs Bates gave the financial statement.

The Golden Thread, an ex-soldier's moving account of this year's Remembrance Day Service, was given by Mrs Mackie and the item of interest, One Good Turn, was given by Mrs Kay. Mrs Collin thanked members who had sold poppies and those who had attended the Remembrance Day Service at St Theresa's Church.

The competition, an attractive mug, was won by Mrs Hogg and the raffle by Mrs Wylie. David Hughes spoke about his interesting and eventful life. The talk spanned his boyhood, working for the Co-operative Society, his war service and how he became a successful author and painter.

Mrs Breen won one of Mr Hughes's painting which was raffled in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care at Mr Hughes's request. The next meeting is on Monday, December 9, and is the Christmas party night. Members are asked to bring food for a buffet supper.

Langley Park

MRS A Whitfield presided at the November meeting. Joyce Beavis acted as secretary owing to the indisposition of E Bowyer. Two members celebrated birthdays. Final arrangements were for the visit to Witton Gilbert's Musical Evening and the Christmas dinner at Cornsay Village.

The Golden Thread was read by Joyce Maddison and the raffle won by Joan Coulson. The competition, a savoury scone, was won by Winnie Wilson, with Marie Welsh second and Joyce Beavis third. A demonstration of vegetarian dishes plus the humour of Mr Roughley was the highlight of the evening. After the tea interval Audrey Whitfield compered a quiz all about birds.

Castleside WI

PRESIDENT Jane Nelson welcomed 40 members to the 77th birthday and AGM meeting. Best wishes were sent to sick member Olive Veitch. After the business was dealt with members and friends celebrated the birthday with pie and peas and gateaux and cream.

Janet Nelson was overwhelmingly voted in to be president again. Helen Steptoe is to be a new committee member. Competition winners were presented with their prizes. First was Margaret Tanford, second Else Herman and third Phylis Shipley. The mystery prize given by Mrs Westgarth was won by Mrs Shipley. Agnes Chapman took the names for the trip to Dobbies Garden Centre, the Christmas dinner at the Freemasons Hall at Blackhall and the outing to the Theatre Royal to see the pantomime in January. It was a very enjoyable evening and the next meeting is the Christmas dinner.

Catchgate WI

MRS Gallagher welcomed members to the meeting. The Golden Thread, Smiling, was read by Rose Lewis. Mrs Riley dealt with the business. A list of names for the Christmas lunch at the Potter's Wheel was taken and also for members going to Witton Gilbert WI in December.

The WI poppy wreath was laid by Mrs Gallagher and Mrs Grainger, members were thanked for selling poppies at the disco in Annfield Plain. Carole Robson talked about dolls' houses and miniatures and brought along a lovely display. Mrs Grainger proposed the vote of thanks.

The WI calendar was on sale. The competition for a peg doll was won by Mrs P Gill and the prize donated by Mrs L James. The door raffle was donated by I Wilson and won by W Riley, while an extra raffle for a box of Yorkshire tea bags was won by Mrs D Tate.

Inner Wheel of Consett

THE November meeting was held at the home of June Marsden. When business was concluded, president Dawn Robson introduced guest speaker Heather Routledge of Derwentside Domestic Violence Forum. The vote of thanks was by Margaret Reynolds.

East Stanley WI

PRESIDENT Anne Stayman welcomed members. Una Swan read her favourite verse, Neighbours. Anne Stay was thanked for the flowers which were sent to Hilda Shield and Vera Wilkinson. Una Swan, the delegate to the autumn council meeting, gave an interesting report.

Final arrangements were made for the Christmas dinner at the Shepherd and Shepherdess. The competition, a travel souvenir, was won by Rita Hall with Anne Stayman second.

The raffle was won by Jean Wright. Speaker Sandra Reynolds gave an interesting talk on shoe boxes for the Christmas Child appeal. She had been to Croatia and said it was all worthwhile to see the children's faces when they opened their present. She was thanked by Laura Allan. The next meeting is a faith supper a week on Monday.

South Moor WI

PRESIDENT Dora Moore gave members a warm welcome, not forgetting the sick members. Birthday greetings were sang to Ann Weir. Vera Soulsby gave the reading Memories. Joyce Wright gave an appropriate reading The Jury. Doreen Pearson read the minutes and county letter. June George gave the monthly financial statement.

An enjoyable evening was spent at the revue at Stanley. Arrangements were finalised for transport and time to Witton Gilbert's musical evening on Tuesday. The Christmas dinner at the Harperly Hotel is on Wednesday. Norman Kelly who gave a talk with slides about old-time artists and comedians. Joyce Wright thanked him.

Mr Kelly judged the competition, a miniature guy, which was won by Nancy Nicholson, Margaret Bell was second and Ann Weir third. The raffle donated by Doris Nixon was won by Vera Soulsby.

Tantobie WI

MRS Smith welcomed members to the November meeting. Members had enjoyed the WI revue. Tantobie WI was represented at the Remembrance Service and the licensing of the new vicar at Tanfield Church. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Edna Nicholson for her 80th birthday. Arrangements were made for outings and the Christmas party and next year's programme was finalised.

Mrs Glaister gave a demonstration of silk painting encouraging members to try their skills. Mrs Oliver gave the vote of thanks. The raffle was won by Mrs Cawthorn and a special raffle of a Yorkshire teapot was won by Mrs Nicholson. The competition was won by Mrs Oliver, second J. Wallace and third D. Wallace. The next meeting is the Christmas party on Monday, December 16.

Leadgate WI

MRS Walker presided at the AGM giving a warm welcome to WI adviser Audrey Flannigan. Sick members were remembered. The theme was written and read by Margaret Westhorpe, Our Day Trip to Whitby. Secretary Mrs Hedley read the minutes and correspondence and a very comprehensive yearly account. Mrs Young thanked her. Treasurer Mrs Moody gave the monthly and annual report. Mrs Westhorpe gave the vote of thanks.

The ballot was then taken. Mrs Walker was re-elected, the committee all stood with the addition of Mrs Atkinson. Mrs Walker thanked everyone for their support over the year. Mrs Westhorpe thanked the president. Mrs Flannigan gave a talk on the workings of the London office telling members about the income and expenditure of the money that goes to London.

Mrs Westhorpe gave the vote of thanks. The raffle prize was won by Mrs Atkinson, the competition, a crochet table centre, was first Mrs Dennison and second Mrs Ralton.