A MILLENNIUM reunion held by Durham Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs attracted more than 500 guests.

One of the stars of the night was Mrs Gladys Hodgson, who is 84 and who was the original secretary of Staindrop YFC when it was founded in 1932.

And she was re-united with the exercise book in which she used to record the minutes as a 16-year-old girl.

"It began as a calf club," said Mrs Hodgson who lives at The Grange, Summerhouse, near Darlington, which her son, John, farms.

"We each kept a calf and reared them. We kept a book of everything we fed and gave them through the year and then held a show."

The club had about 20 members and many found their husbands or wives there.

Mrs Hodgson, whose husband, Ralph, died in 1958, has fond memories of the club and throughly enjoyed the reunion at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield.

Mr David Maughan, current president of the federation, said it was a tremendous success, with more than 700 requests for tickets.

The federation took over the hotel and, apart from a buffet and dancing, there were displays of old photographs and other memorabilia