Wentworth Park WI: THE annual meeting of Wentworth Park WI was held at Ouston Community Centre on Thursday, April 10.

There was an excellent rendition of Jerusalem. The minutes were read and the group meeting discussed.

The group then celebrated with Maureen Barwick, Joan Harker and Dorothy Smith by singing Happy Birthday to them.

Valerie Richardson won the rose bowl for competition entries over the last year but unfortunately was unwell and could not be at the meeting to receive her well-earned prize.

Reports on the past year were given by the treasurer, secretary and president.

The meeting was then handed over to Audrey Flanagan who was attending the annual meeting as WI advisor.

Mrs Flanagan took nominations for the committee and president. Audrey Stephenson was re-elected as president.

Mrs Flanagan continued with some information on the usefulness of resolutions and some amusing stories about her run with the baton last summer.

Mavis Wilkinson entered and won our lemon curd competition. Her entry will go forward to the group meeting.

Marjory Nichols won the door prize.

The evening finished with a super quiz supplied by Maureen Barwick and a faith supper which was donated by all the members of the group. A good evening for all.

Merry Oaks WI

THE group met in April when guest speaker Bob Kelly told of his family's interest collecting Hummel ornaments.

It was a most interesting talk. He told of the young German girl's love of drawing and painting in the Twenties. She later became a nun and a German pottery started to produce the figures from her paintings. They are in great demand today and very valuable.

Mr. Kelly judged the competition, a Hummel figure. Margaret Salkeld was first and Margery Chesterton was second.

The raffle in aid of county funds was won by Hilda Bruffell. She won the first prize of an Easter Simnel Cake made by Margaret Salkeld and Ruth Moore won the wine.

The business was dealt with by Edith Hall.

Merry Oaks WI is holding a charity evening on Wednesday, May 21, in Nevilles Cross School with a concert by SNUG from the Derwentside area and the proceeds are for SNUG. Tickets are available at £3 each. Please contact (0191) 386 5334 for more details.

Doreen Norman gave a very good report from the annual meeting held in Bishop Auckland. She presented the second prize certificate for the County Programme competition.

Members are having a busy month with the Boyne group meeting at Willington and two teams have entered the county quiz.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, May 13, when we have Maralyn O'Keefe, the Consett Stain artist, to speak and show her work. Everyone is welcome.

St Joseph's Ladies

LAURA Farmer opened the April monthly meeting of the Gilesgate Moor St Joseph's Ladies Circle with prayers and welcomed members.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and the financial report was given by the treasurer Lilian Taylor.

A member of the group brought her collection of decorated eggs. She gave the group a brief history on the Faberge egg.

Tentative arrangements were made for summer outings.

Julie Ridley won the raffle. Mary Lennon and Mary Morgan served the refreshments.

The next meeting of the ladies circle will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at 7.30pm in the St Jubilee Room at Joseph's RC Church.