Annfield Plain WI

PRESIDENT Mrs Collin welcomed members and visitors to the April meeting held in Annfield Plain library.

Members observed a minute's silence as a token of respect for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

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

The Golden Thread, The Phantom Avenger, was given by Miss A Rutherford and Mrs J Mills gave a humorous account about the opening of a new hospital.

M Kirk gave her report as delegate to the County Federation AGM.

As next month's meeting is our AGM, nominations for officers and committee were requested.

Members' views were sought regarding resolutions for the IGM on June 6 at Brighton.

The Durham Shakespeare Company delighted members with a miscellany of Shakespeare's work.

The competition for a pretty scarf draped was won by J Welsh and the raffle was won by M Kirk.

The next meeting, which is the AGM, will be held on May 13 and will be followed by a buffet supper.

Benfieldside Afternoon WI

RETIRING president Olga White welcomed Audrey Flanagan to the AGM and congratulations were extended to her new appointment as Durham County Chairman. Ladies held a two-minute silence in memory of the Queen Mother.

Details of an outing to Alnwick Gardens were discussed, also an anniversary meal to Snods Church Hall.

Joan Locke gave the report from Durham AGM. John Robinson kept us up to date with the revamp of our local park as our representative.

The president's address was given as well as annual reports from the secretary and treasurer. Beth Carr was elected new presiident.

Castleside WI

VICE President Mavis Parker opened the April meeting of Castleside WI. Members and visitors stood in silence for the Queen Mum.

The minutes of the last meeting were read by secretary Diane Simpson. Mr Kelly gave a very amusing and light-hearted talk on strange facts and queer items.

The mystery prize, given by Agnes Chapman, was won by June Carr. Names were taken for the group meeting at Edmundbyers in May. The speaker judged the competition for a dressed wooden spoon.

Members voted on where they would like to go on the outings in June and August. The next meeting is on May 8 when we will have Maralyn O'Keefe, a stained glass artist talking about the craft. Visitors are always welcome.

Catchgate WI

MRS Gallagher welcomed all members to the April meeting then presented Mrs O Spinks with a floral arrangement to mark her birthday.

The Golden Thread, Take Time, was read by N Riley. Business correspondence was dealt with by the secretary.

Two members are to attend the Golden Jubilee Party in the Town Hall, Durham.

The County's fundraising effort for 2002 will be a fair to be held in Lanchester Community Centre in July.

Tickets were sold for the group meeting at Tantobie. Members practiced the group song.

Mrs P Storey gave her report from the county annual meeting at Stanley. Mrs Robson and Mrs Stockdale gave us a humerous and lively talk on clothes. Many memories were revived, even a tale about Geordie Brown from Backworth.

The competition for an old fashioned photograph was won by R Lucas, prize donated by N Bevan. The raffle prize, donated by D Tate, was won by S Morecroft. A very happy meeting ended with the singing of the National Anthem.

Consett Inner Wheel

THE April meeting was held at the home of president Jean Nave.

June Marsden asked members to stand in silent tribute to the memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

After business was concluded, speaker Charlotte Loyd was introduced. She is the area representative for the NE and Cumbria branch of the Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association (RUKBA), of which the Queen Mother had been Royal Patron for many years.

She explained how the aim of the association is to help older people on very low incomes retain their independence, stay as long as possible in their own familiar surroundings and help with financial difficulties and offer friendship.

Support is concentrated on those who have helped the community during their lives and who now, in turn, need support.

She was thanked by President June, who also thanked our hostess Jean for her hospitality.

The raffle, a flowering pot plant, was won by Colleen James and tea and biscuits were served.

East Stanley WI

MEMBERS were welcomed by the president Anne Stayman.

Flowers, donated by Una Swan and Margaret Turner, were given to Mary Mosse and Mary Dent. Peggy Begg read her favourite verse, Growing Old. The competition, fresh flowers in a mug, was won by Peggy Begg with Phobe Wilkinson second.

Arrangements were discussed for the Golden Jubilee celebrations, which will be held on June 3, not 4 as reported last month. A draw was made for two members to attend the county Jubilee celebrations in The Town Hall Durham. Laura Allan and Phobe Wilkinson will represent us.

Audrey Wallace gave final arrangements for the outing on April 17 to Barnard Castle with afternoon tea at Thorpe Farm, Peal House. The raffle was won by Hillary Baker.

The darts A team were wished good luck when they play in the county finals. There will be a social evening on April 23.

The speaker, Miss Kettlewell gave a talk on friendship gardening. She was thanked by Audrey Whitehead. The next meeting is on May 13 when the speaker will be Margaret Hickling on Wallington Hall.

Lanchester WI

VICE President Jessie Goodhall opened the April meeting. Members stood for a minute's silence as a mark of respect for the Queen Mother.

June Wallis read the minutes and correspondence, which included DCFWI fundraising events and a series of fairs. Lanchester is one of a group of seven to hold a bottle tombola in the community centre on July 27. June Wallis also gave a report on the annual meeting at Stanley.

Members received a newsletter from Yorkshire Tea which included information on gifts to collect and the goody boxes WI members enjoy, and also how members can help the Tree for Life appeal.

Jessie Goodhall gave the reading. The competition, a piece of pottery, was won by Beth Clough, second Peggy Carter, raffle Irene James.

An informative talk and demonstration followed given by Mrs Browbank on encaustic art. The evening ended with tea and biscuits.

The next meeting is on May 13, when Richard Woods will speak on the Wildlife Trust.

Leadgate WI

MRS Walker extended a warm welcome to all members, also a sick member.

The theme was read by Mrs Butterfield.

Mrs Buchan attended to the business and correspondence. Mrs Moody gave the financial statement. A report was given from the Stanley meeting by our delegate Mrs Alderson.

Mrs Scrobie gave an interesting talk about painting on glass. The vote of thanks was given by Mrs Wilson.

Members were reminded of the bring and buy stall at the May meeting. Final arrangements were made for the group meeting on May 1 at St Patrick's, Consett.

The competition, a glass ornament, was 1 Mrs Donnison, 2 Mrs Wilson, 3 Mrs Alderson. Mrs Alderson won the raffle and Mrs Blaylock won a lovely painted bowl donated by the speaker.

South Moor WI

SOUTH Moor WI held its meeting in the Park Road Methodist school room.

President Mrs Moore opened the April meeting with the singing of Jerusalem and repeating the creed. Best wishes were sent to sick members. The reading, Smile, was given by Mrs Soulsby.

Mrs Pearson read the minutes from the March meeting, then the correspondence, including the county letter.

Arrangements were made for transport to the group meeting to be held at Tanfield Lea Community Centre on April 29.

Names were taken for a visit to Barnard Castle, on to Evenwood WI for tea. Mrs Pearson gave the report from the annual meeting held in the Civic Hall Stanley.

Names were drawn for two members to attend the Queen's Golden Jubilee tea party to be held in Durham Town Hall on Tuesday, May 21. The two ladies to attend are Mrs Killeen and Mrs George.

The speaker was Mr Redman who gave a hat display which he had made for musical shows. Mrs Bell gave a vote of thanks.

Mr Redman judged the competition, three fruit scones. First was Mrs Pearson, second Mrs Weir, third Mrs George.

The meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem.

Tantobie WI

MRS Smith welcomed members and two visitors to the April meeting.

Mrs D Wallace read the poem, Touch of Spring. Votes were taken on WI resolutions. Arrangements were made for the group meeting.

Mrs Jenking took us on an historic tour of Europe with a magnificent display of embroidery. Mrs Olive gave the vote of thanks.

The competition was won by Mrs Green, Mrs Smith 2nd, Mrs J Wallace 3rd. Mrs Oliver won the raffle.

The next meeting is library anecdotes on May 20 in the Communal Room at 6.40pm. All are welcome.