Last updated 13:31, Thursday, 03 July 2008

A TALK on the Land Army and a visit to a local garden centre have been enjoyed by Whitfield members.DURING Wall's 90th annual general meeting Mrs Jacqueline Gaughan was re-elected president, with Mrs Dorothy Goddard and Mrs Suzie Swan as secretary and treasurer. GREAT Whittington and Matfen celebrated a successful first year during which the original membership has increased fourfold. MEMBERS' Night at Lowgate was presided over by Elspeth Pimlott. DURING recent weeks Prudhoe's members visited Pickering and the North Yorkshire Railway and enjoyed a talk from two Spennymoor members about taking part in televised games and quiz shows.CASTLE and cars have featured in Kirkley's recent events.WINDERMERE and the Alnwick Gardens were the two destinations visited by Corbridge members.NEW president Penny Hakeman was voted in by Slaggyford members at their annual meeting.

Agnes Sanderson and Doris Coulson visited the institute to talk about the Women's Land Army, first established during the World War One and reformed for the Second World War. Members also toured Heighley Gate near Morpeth.

Eileen Smith was presented with the competition cup for 2007/2008, with Marjorie Hingston in second place

Mrs M. Fairless

Further arrangements were also made for the institute's 90th birthday party and the village barbecue.

Members have been collecting photographs and old meeting books to illustrate the institute's history.

M. Proud

During the first annual meeting secretary Jean Buckley read her report, which reminded members of the variety of meetings they had enjoyed during the year and treasurer Margaret Meek reported on the institute’s finances.

The ballot for president saw Margaret Sutcliffe promoted from vice-president to president, while Ros Bridge takes over as her second in command.

A supper party concluded the meeting.

Eryl Daniel

Hilary Robson outlined items on the agenda for the National Federation of Women's Institutes annual conference where Lowgate will be represented by a delegate from Whitley Chapel. Arrangements were also made for a mystery trip this month and members showed the “treasures” they had brought to the meeting and explained why they meant so much to them.

The evening ended with a fish and chip supper.

Liz Allcock

They cast their votes on the resolutions for the national federation's annual general meeting in Liverpool and observed a minute's silence in memory of Rosemary Spencer who died following a short illness.

Ann Tullock

Members enjoyed a visit to Dilston WI, including a tour of the castle and chapel, and took part in a car treasure hunt.

The July outing was a trip to Bamburgh Castle followed by tea at Seahouses, and members also enjoyed a social evening featuring dominoes and a supper.

Eight members have also been in Northern Ireland on an exchange visit to Ballywater WI.

Margaret Neil

The institute also enjoyed a talk about pearls by Marianne Saunders of jewellers Saunders and Pugh.

She highlighted the different ways of producing them and why some pearls are more expensive than others. The competition for some pearls was won by Moira Dunwell.

Suzette Milne

Irene Boyles and Isobel Watson (past president and secretary) were thanked for their exemplary service during the past 10 years.

Concern was expressed about rising maintenance costs for the hall and it was reluctantly agreed that user charges be increased.

Joan Armstrong