Wentworth Park WI: THE annual meeting was held in Ouston Community Centre April 14.

After the singing of Jerusalem, we had a minute's silence due to the death of one of our members Gina Felton, who will be sadly missed.

The minutes of last month's meeting were read and we then gave birthday greetings to John Harker, Maureen Barwick and Doreen Coulson.

Mavis Wilkinson was the overall competition winner and won our rose bowl to polish all year.

Maureen Barwick got the meeting going with a swing with some humorous stories.

Pat Dinning gave her treasurer's report and Iris Robinson the secretary's report.

Audrey Stephenson thanked the committee and all the members for their support over the past year. After a very quick vote Audrey was re-elected as president.

Audrey Dinning, our WI advisor gave a talk on the WI over the past 90 years, reminding us not to get complacent and keep up the values that the organisation started with. Jerusalem has been sung in WIs since 1924 and Audrey told us the story of how that came to be.

The entertainment for the evening was the Belltones, everyone joined in and enjoyed their lovely voices. Olive Norwood gave the Belltones our vote of thanks.

The door prize was won by Alison Knowles.

A light but delicious supper was supplied by the committee.

Friends left the meeting looking forward to another year of our WI meetings.

North Lodge WI: THE president Brenda Dawson opened the April meeting welcoming members and Mrs Jean Bird our speaker for the evening.

After Jerusalem and the fire drill Mrs Aileen Piggot, secretary, read the county letter and correspondence.

Mrs Bird gave an excellent talk on Marie Lloyd and the Edwardians and there was audience participation when it came to the old songs.

Social time's Chocoholics stall proved very popular.

The next meeting will be on May 12, in the United Reformed Church, Chester-le-Street, at 7pm. The speaker will be Alex Nelson, station master/director at Chester-le-Street track.

Visitors and new members are welcome.

Chester-le-Street TG: AT the first meeting in March Doreen Yeates welcomed members. Sick members were wished well and apologies for absence were given.

After the fire drill Doreen introduced Alex Nelson, our speaker for the evening. His topic was transport.

Members found his talk very informative and they were very interested in the history and current running of Chester-le-Street railway station. Many questions were asked and answers given. Doreen gave the vote of thanks.

Assistant secretary Edna Stokoe read the minutes and matters arising were discussed.

The door prize was won by Lila Jopling. The prize for a railway memento was won by Margaret Gair with Winnie Watson and Anne Lambert runners-up.

Irene McCartney gave the financial report. Doreen thanked members of the quiz team, namely Dorothy Lowery, Anne Lambert and Irene McCartney for their sterling performance.

The members, who had provided loyal support, were also thanked. A reminder of the AGM was given, the birthday dinner was discussed and the competitions for Federation Day were talked over.

The social meeting for March was a fashion show given by Kay's Fashions. Some of the clothes were modelled by members. This was a fun evening.

The March coffee morning had been a success. Thank you for everyone's help and support.

Annfield Plain WI: President Genia Collin welcomed members to the April meeting. Secretary Miss Ellwood dealt with correspondence and treasurer Ruth Bates gave the financial report.

The Golden Thread, A Message from the Flowers, was read by Mavis Crawford and the item of interest came from Lily Whitworth, who read a nostalgic poem Memories of Stanley.

Forthcoming visits to Snods for dinner and to the lavender fields in August were discussed. The recent group meeting at Burnopfield, attended by most members, had been an excellent evening.

The resolutions for the annual meeting at the Royal Albert Hall in June were discussed and agreed upon.The competition, an Easter bonnet, was won by Jean Pinner and the mystery raffle by Jennie Welch.The rest of the evening was members' night. Our next meeting in May will be the annual general meeting.