Belmont TG

THE monthly meeting of Belmont Guild was held on Wednesday, May 1, in Belmont Comprehensive School.

Chairman Mrs M Parker opened the meeting and minutes of the previous meeting were read by the secretary, Mrs T Harrison. The financial report was given by treasurer Mrs E Stobart.

Final arrangements were made for the birthday dinner outing on May 15 at the Regency Rooms, Seaham. Members brought souvenir items of the Queen's reign for a jubilee display table for a show at the annual general meeting of the Sunderland Federation of Townswomen's Guilds on May 8. The mayor of Sunderland was to attend the show.

The speaker for the evening was Geoff Phillips, who gave a talk entitled When we were kids. He was thanked by Mrs V Hyslop.

Competition winners for a pretty button were: 1 Mrs A Elliott, 2 Mrs E Scott 3 Mrs V Hyslop. The raffle prize was won by Mrs E Stobart.

Belmont WI

PRESIDENT Marjorie Oates welcomed members to the May meeting and assistant secretary Ella Curry read the minutes.

Marjorie thanked Margaret Macdonald for presiding at the group meeting which she understood had been very enjoyable, with Belmont winning the competition for a hand-made card to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. She also thanked the entertainment group and everyone who had baked for this event.

Members were reminded that our evening trip to Weardale is on Monday, May 27, when we will be visiting Westgate WI for supper.

Clarice Cooper is to attend Brighton as the IGM delegate and gave details of the proposed resolutions.

The speaker for the evening was Carole Robson who gave a very interesting talk on doll's houses and miniatures. She was thanked by Gladys Thompson. The competition theme was a miniature house and was won by Carol Sturt, second Jean Stanger and joint third Marion Hately and Anne Wilkinson.

The May birthday girl was Pat Peel. Raffle prizes were won by Sally Carr, Dorothy Brabam and Margaret Barnes.

The next meeting will be held on June 10 at 6.45pm in Belmont Junior School.

Durham City Afternoon WI

THE May meeting was opened by the president Margaret Bell who welcomed members and three guests. Joyce Moore followed with the minutes of the last meeting.

Members who attended the group meeting at Langley Park had a very enjoyable evening. The competition, an embroidered tray cloth, was won by Langley Park WI.

Jean White then read her Golden Thread poem, Life's Little Luxuries. Names were taken for helpers to assist at the Royal Golden Jubilee celebrations 2002 on Saturday, June 15, in the Shakespeare Hall. Votes were taken on the resolutions for the meeting in Brighton.

After this the speaker Daniel Henderson gave a talk on making the most of your money. The raffle for a cake was won by Marjorie Teasdale and the door prize by Enid Eglington and Joyce Moor.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, June 4.

Gilesgate Evening TG

GILESGATE Evening Towns- women's Guild had an evening outing to Allendale instead of the guild meeting on May Day. Although the sunshine eluded them, members had a lovely picturesque journey. It was great to see the sheep and lambs and cattle in fields again.

As members went higher into the dales it got very misty and they were literally up in the clouds. The weather cleared when they arrived in Allendale and they were fortunate to be allocated an upstairs dining room at the Golden Lion Inn. The menu choice was good, as were the meals. Members left for home shortly after 9pm.

The next official guild meeting is Monday, June 10, due to the Queen's Jubilee and the Spring Bank Holiday. However, members are going to hold a Jubilee evening on June 3. There will be a faith supper, music and members will wear outfits of red, white and blue.

Langley Park WI

AUDREY Whitfield welcomed 20 members to the May meeting. Birthday girls were Mary Allen and Elsie Fenwick, who celebrated 90 years. Audrey presented her with a spray of flowers to mark the special birthday.

A day tour has been arranged for Tuesday, August 13. Anyone who would like to go to this please contact D Hayden or Audrey Whitfield. Names were taken for Ushaw evening on Wednesday, July 7.

The Golden Thread was read by Joan Clough. Door prize won by Elsie Fenwick. Raffle by W Wilson. The competition, photo of an old motorcycle was won by Joan Clough, 2 May Allen, 3 A Whitfield.

The speaker entertained by showing slides of motorcycles through different years with a very humorous commentary on his adventures through motorcycling. B Thornton concluded with Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Merry Oaks WI

THE president, Margaret Thornhill, welcomed everyone to the May meeting.

She introduced Margaret Jefferson from St Cuthbert's Hospice who told of the proposed new developments and then how the hospice has developed over the years. She paid a tribute to all the volunteers and the fundraising public in the area for making St Cuthbert's Hospital what it is today.

Edith Hall, the secretary, dealt with the business and much discussion followed on the resolutions on stricter controls on the importation of foodstuffs and having local abattoirs. These will be discussed at the NFWI meeting at Brighton in June.

Merry Oaks WI are holding a garden party to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. The coffee morning this month is in aid of the Friends of the Hospital.

The walking group has restarted the walks after the foot-and-mouth epidemic. The next will be to Wolsingham on May 29.

The competition, a favourite brooch, was won by Joyce Cooper with Jo Batey second. The lucky winner of the raffle was Kit Tait.

The next meeting is June 12 when Fred Wharton will give a talk on the development of the musical and there will be a plant stall.

Witton Gilbert WI

THE president, Jane Beckwith, welcomed 28 members to the May meeting.

Following the success of the WI longest scarf which had won its place in the Guinness Book of Records, Witton Gilbert WI had receiver two rolls of this and members had unpicked and made blankets which had been sent to Albania and several other charities.

Now a remaining roll is to be unpicked and pulled out into Woolly Worms. These are to be used for packing between artificial limbs and the legs of amputee patients at the Freeman Hospital.

The meeting was followed by resolutions led by Eileen Green. Members voted unanimously for the proposals. The competition was Your Favourite Plant and this was won by Doreen Bilton, 2 Jane Beckwith.

The next meeting is Monday, June 10 when members will be having a trip to the coast with a meal at the Little Haven, South Shields