WarkworthWomensInstitute.html


WARKWORTH WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
Jan 2008 Feb 2008 Mar 2008 April 08 May 08 June 08 Sept 08 Oct 08 Nov 08 Dec 08 85th Birthday
Jan 09 Feb 09 Mar 09 Apr 09 May 09 June 09 Programme
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MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7.30 P.M. IN THE MEMORIAL HALL, CASTLE STREET , WARKWORTH


OFFICERS JOINT PRESIDENTS: Rachel Parks (Tel: 01665 711 290) Janice Wilson (Tel: 01665 710 266) VICE PRESIDENT: Amanda Hood-Gorton (Tel: 01665 711425) SECRETARY : Pat Boyd (Tel: 01665 713744) VICE SECRETARY: Diana Webber (Tel: 01665 711 428) TREASURER: Pat Dodd (Tel: 01665 711 538) PROGRAMME SECRETARY: Kath Parish (Tel: 01665 712 776) PRESS SECRETARY: Helen Franklin (Tel: 01665 711054) Return to menu


COMMITTEE: Pat Boyd, Pat Dodd, Dorothy Dunn, Helen Franklin, Dorothy Groves, Amanda Hood-Gorton, Ethel Orde, Kath Parish, Rachel Parks, Joy Taylor, Marian Wallace, Diana Webber, Helen Wilson and Janice Wilson. Return to menu





Northumberland Federation of Women's Institutes Cresswell House 11/12 Brenkley Way Blezard Business Park Seaton Burn Newcastle Upon Tyne NE13 6DS Tel: 0191 217 0808 County Chairman: Mrs. J. Wylie Return to menu
































MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7.30 P.M. IN THE MEMORIAL HALL Return to menu

Date	Speaker	Subject
2nd June 2009	Helen Grierson	Elefante Stained Glass
7th July 2009	Rosie Ross	Five Good Years
22nd August 2009	Warkworth Show Competition	Coffee Kisses - Bero Recipe
8th Sept 2009	Jaqui Hall	Dog Training
6th Oct 2009	Christine Shield	Belly Dancing For All
3rd Nov 2009	Richard Brearley	A Vicar's Husband
1st Dec 2009	Members	Party Night
Jan 4th 2010	Athol Swanson	Slides of the Coquet
22nd Feb 2010	-	Warkworth in Bloom
2nd March 2010	Pat Bagshaw	The Bear Facts
13th April 2010	George Scott	A Teacher's Tale

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85th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS At the birthday tea members were each greeted with a rose spray and tables were decorated with lovely modern table arrangements made by members Amanda Fearnley and Janet Jackson. The delicious birthday cake was made by Helen Wilson and decorated by Pat Bagshaw. Everyone was full of praise and admiration for the superb embroidery that Norma McHugh brought along. The oldest member, Ethel Orde, was delighted with the embroidered picture of a WI angel, made by Norma, which was presented to her. The committee provided an excellent buffet and friends Sue and Sally kindly served the tea. Jan Archibold recorded events with photographs. These particularly recorded long-serving members Ethel Orde, Margaret Burrell, Mary Dixon, Pat Nyberg, Bertha Nyberg, Maisie Luke and Beattie Warwick. Family members Mary Dixon, Beattie Warwick and Pat Dodd have more than 50 years of membership between them but family connections for much longer. Margaret Burrell gave a vote of thanks to the committee for arranging the event. As members left a happy afternoon each received a little book of Warkworth Village Memories compiled by president Pag Bagshaw. Return to menu

85th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

At the birthday tea members were each greeted with a rose spray and tables were decorated with lovely modern table arrangements made by members Amanda Fearnley and Janet Jackson.

The delicious birthday cake was made by Helen Wilson and decorated by Pat Bagshaw.

Everyone was full of praise and admiration for the superb embroidery that Norma McHugh brought along. The oldest member, Ethel Orde, was delighted with the embroidered picture of a WI angel, made by Norma, which was presented to her.

The committee provided an excellent buffet and friends Sue and Sally kindly served the tea.

Jan Archibold recorded events with photographs. These particularly recorded long-serving members Ethel Orde, Margaret Burrell, Mary Dixon, Pat Nyberg, Bertha Nyberg, Maisie Luke and Beattie Warwick.

Family members Mary Dixon, Beattie Warwick and Pat Dodd have more than 50 years of membership between them but family connections for much longer.

Margaret Burrell gave a vote of thanks to the committee for arranging the event.

As members left a happy afternoon each received a little book of Warkworth Village Memories compiled by president Pag Bagshaw.

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January 2008 Thirty members braved the stormy weather for our first meeting of the new year. Membership fees for 2008 were accepted by the treasurer. Names were collected for a visit to Woodhorn for our Spring Luncheon on February 12th and for members wishing to go to the Spring Council meeting in Hexham. Members were told that giving and accepting lifts does not affect the drivers' insurance even if a contribution is made towards petrol so long as no profit is made. A meeting was arranged at the President's home for those interested in taking part in the Radio Sketch, Acting and Monologue, County competitions. We were told that the Indoor Bowls Competition will be held at Longframlington at 10 a.m. on 13th March 2008. Soup and sandwiches will be ordered and hopefully we will enter two teams. There were no volunteers for contestants in the new series of BBC Mastermind. A request was made for talented crochet members to help a baby wear designer with her new range. Flowers and good wishes were presented to seven 'Birthday Girls'. Our speaker was talented chocolateer Louise Frederique Keeble, proprieter of Caboise chocolates. President Pat Bagshaw introduced her with a reading from the novel 'Chocolat'. Louise, who has a passion for confectionary making, then impressed us with details of her training. This included Parisian kitchens, Betty's famous tearooms and working alongside other famous chefs. We were given the history of chocolate and the botany of the plant. We saw the raw material i.e. the pod which contains the beans. We learned that coffee beans were used as a form of currency. We learned of the production process which turns the beans to the basic chocolate i.e. Couverture and then given a recipe for Ganache, the basis of many chocolate fillings, particularly truffles. Louise gave every member a sample of three very different types of chocolate, a 38% white chocolate sample from Venezuela, a 32% milk chocolate sample from Java and a 75% dark chocolate sample from Tanzania. She judged our competition for a favourite chocolate recipe which was won by Pat Dodd with her Chocolate Mousse. After refreshments the meeting was closed and members were invited to purchase Caboise, prize winning fudge, and a variety of delicious chocolates. Our speaker on 5th February is Marjory Goodchild, her subject is Spring Cookery and the competition is a painting of Spring Flowers. As usual visitors and new members are welcome. Helen Franklin Press Secretary Return to menu


5th February 2008 There were thirty seven members at our meeting. New member, but old friend, Mabel Forsyth was warmly welcomed to the Institute. She has entertained us several times in the past with exotic holiday memories. Arrangements were finalised for our Spring Luncheon in Alnmouth on Tuesday February 12^th. Two teams were arranged for the County Bowls matches at Longframlington on March 13^th. At the Reading Aloud competition at Belford on March 17^th we are entering a radio sketch. We were told that our new bowl’s mat was delivered to the village hall without warning and left in the rain. The last of the membership fees were collected by the treasurer. Names were collected for the Spring Council meeting at Hexham on March 20^th. Cholesterol lowering packs produced by Flora were given out. Member Anne Cashmore told us how much she had enjoyed a Scottish Dancing course at Denman. Janet Jackson, another of our members, is helping to illustrate Anne Larvin’s book on Herbal Remedies. We were informed of some Travel Sure trips and asked if we would like to go as a group on one of these trips in the warmer months. Next month there will be a collection of Coins for Friendship. Members were informed of a public speaking course at Cresswell House on April 17^th and an evening lecture in Newcastle on joint replacements by a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. Our speaker was cookery expert Marjorie Goodchild, as usual she amazed us with the simplicity of her delicious recipes. At least one will be sure to become a family favourite in members' homes. Pat Bagshaw gave the vote of thanks. The winner of the competition, a Spring Flower painting, was Pat Dodd. Next month we will learn about financial matters for the mature in age. The competition is a jar of homemade marmalade. Helen Franklin Press Secretary Return to menu

5th February 2008

There were thirty seven members at our meeting. New member, but old friend, Mabel Forsyth was warmly welcomed to the Institute. She has entertained us several times in the past with exotic holiday memories.

Arrangements were finalised for our Spring Luncheon in Alnmouth on Tuesday February 12^th. Two teams were arranged for the County Bowls matches at Longframlington on March 13^th. At the Reading Aloud competition at Belford on March 17^th we are entering a radio sketch.

We were told that our new bowl’s mat was delivered to the village hall without warning and left in the rain. The last of the membership fees were collected by the treasurer. Names were collected for the Spring Council meeting at Hexham on March 20^th.

Cholesterol lowering packs produced by Flora were given out. Member Anne Cashmore told us how much she had enjoyed a Scottish Dancing course at Denman. Janet Jackson, another of our members, is helping to illustrate Anne Larvin’s book on Herbal Remedies.

We were informed of some Travel Sure trips and asked if we would like to go as a group on one of these trips in the warmer months. Next month there will be a collection of Coins for Friendship.

Members were informed of a public speaking course at Cresswell House on April 17^th and an evening lecture in Newcastle on joint replacements by a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Our speaker was cookery expert Marjorie Goodchild, as usual she amazed us with the simplicity of her delicious recipes. At least one will be sure to become a family favourite in members' homes. Pat Bagshaw gave the vote of thanks.

The winner of the competition, a Spring Flower painting, was Pat Dodd.

Next month we will learn about financial matters for the mature in age. The competition is a jar of homemade marmalade.

Helen Franklin

Press Secretary

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March 2008 At our March meeting we welcomed two visitors. Condolences were sent to Jackie Wylie, our County President, on the death of her husband. Also love and best wishes for a speedy recovery were sent to one of our members, Margaret Burrell, who has been admitted to the Wansbeck hospital. Business included invitations to Alnmouth WI on March 29^th and Shilbottle WI on April 17^th. We were also given details of two Treasure Hunts and cultural events in Ashington and Newcastle. Reminders were given about The Spring Council Meeting. Our bowls teams and our members entering the Scene and Heard competitions were given our good wishes. A collection was made for the WI charity, ACWW, which gives practical rather than monetary help to families all over the World. Members were asked their preferences regarding the future format of the Northumbrian Newsletter. We were told by our President of plans to have a Floral Art Display in the visitors centre at Alnwick Garden later this year. A plea was made for members to join the Committee. Our speaker was James from St James’s Place Partnership, who gave us sound, simple advice on financial and legal matters which particularly affect the over 50’s. The winner of the competition for a jar of homemade marmalade was Marjorie Dixon. Next month's meeting is Members' Night. This will be lead by Sheila Atkinson who will talk about drying garden flowers and Cath Parish in praise of Northumbrian Women Authors. The competition will be to read a verse from your favourite poem. Visitors or new members are most welcome. Helen Franklin Press Secretary Return to menu

March 2008

At our March meeting we welcomed two visitors. Condolences were sent to Jackie Wylie, our County President, on the death of her husband. Also love and best wishes for a speedy recovery were sent to one of our members, Margaret Burrell, who has been admitted to the Wansbeck hospital.

Business included invitations to Alnmouth WI on March 29^th and Shilbottle WI on April 17^th. We were also given details of two Treasure Hunts and cultural events in Ashington and Newcastle. Reminders were given about The Spring Council Meeting. Our bowls teams and our members entering the Scene and Heard competitions were given our good wishes. A collection was made for the WI charity, ACWW, which gives practical rather than monetary help to families all over the World. Members were asked their preferences regarding the future format of the Northumbrian Newsletter. We were told by our President of plans to have a Floral Art Display in the visitors centre at Alnwick Garden later this year. A plea was made for members to join the Committee.

Our speaker was James from St James’s Place Partnership, who gave us sound, simple advice on financial and legal matters which particularly affect the over 50’s.

The winner of the competition for a jar of homemade marmalade was Marjorie Dixon. Next month's meeting is Members' Night. This will be lead by Sheila Atkinson who will talk about drying garden flowers and Cath Parish in praise of Northumbrian Women Authors. The competition will be to read a verse from your favourite poem. Visitors or new members are most welcome.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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APRIL 2008
The April meeting was Members’ Night and was opened by our Vice President Dorothy Dunn. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to the family of Ursula Dixon who died suddenly last month. Long serving members remember Ursula as a leading light in the Institute although she hasn’t been well enough to attend recently. Both our bowls teams played well but neither won this year. On April 17^th it is proposed to have an informal Warkworth WI Bowls competition followed by a light lunch. At the Scene and Heard competition we came third and we have been asked to send our Radio Play to Denman. Several of our members visited Alnmouth WI on Saturday and reported how much they enjoyed their afternoon. Pat Bagshaw accepted an invitation last week to join Cambo WI for a cake decorating day. Joy Taylor acted as our delegate at the Spring Council meeting at Hexham and brought back a bud vase provided by the County to celebrate their 90^th birthday. It is hoped that we will purchase and plant a Northumberland Rose, once this is blooming we are asked to use this vase at our monthly meetings. The chosen venue for our annual outing is to York with Travelsure on Tuesday May 13^th, cost of coach is £10. We were asked to check that our details were correct on the updated copy of the County list of Warkworth WI members. Our entertainment was supplied by members Sheila Atkinson and Cath Parish. Sheila talked to us very amusingly about drying and preserving flowers, a hobby she obviously enjoys. Cath shared her love of poetry with us and read us several different styles of poems. Then it was our turn to try our hand at writing a poem about Warkworth. Rachel Parks won the competition with her favourite poem by Pam Ayres. May will be our Annual Meeting and our speaker will be Elaine Davis, a National Trust Volunteer. The competition for the May meeting is an unusual idea for a competition. Please bring items for a pooled supper, but avoid ANY use of Kiwi fruit because our speaker is extremely allergic to this fruit even if she doesn’t actually eat any of it. Helen Franklin Press Secretary Return to menu

APRIL 2008

The April meeting was Members’ Night and was opened by our Vice President Dorothy Dunn.

Our thoughts and sympathy go out to the family of Ursula Dixon who died suddenly last month. Long serving members remember Ursula as a leading light in the Institute although she hasn’t been well enough to attend recently.

Both our bowls teams played well but neither won this year. On April 17^th it is proposed to have an informal Warkworth WI Bowls competition followed by a light lunch.

At the Scene and Heard competition we came third and we have been asked to send our Radio Play to Denman.

Several of our members visited Alnmouth WI on Saturday and reported how much they enjoyed their afternoon.

Pat Bagshaw accepted an invitation last week to join Cambo WI for a cake decorating day.

Joy Taylor acted as our delegate at the Spring Council meeting at Hexham and brought back a bud vase provided by the County to celebrate their 90^th birthday. It is hoped that we will purchase and plant a Northumberland Rose, once this is blooming we are asked to use this vase at our monthly meetings.

The chosen venue for our annual outing is to York with Travelsure on Tuesday May 13^th, cost of coach is £10.

We were asked to check that our details were correct on the updated copy of the County list of Warkworth WI members.

Our entertainment was supplied by members Sheila Atkinson and Cath Parish. Sheila talked to us very amusingly about drying and preserving flowers, a hobby she obviously enjoys. Cath shared her love of poetry with us and read us several different styles of poems. Then it was our turn to try our hand at writing a poem about Warkworth.

Rachel Parks won the competition with her favourite poem by Pam Ayres.

May will be our Annual Meeting and our speaker will be Elaine Davis, a National Trust Volunteer. The competition for the May meeting is an unusual idea for a competition.

Please bring items for a pooled supper, but avoid ANY use of Kiwi fruit because our speaker is extremely allergic to this fruit even if she doesn’t actually eat any of it.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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MAY 2008

The meeting was our Annual Meeting. Our President Pat Bagshaw welcomed 30 WI members.

Our annual outing to York has had to be cancelled due to lack of response.

We were reminded about the resolution meeting at Cresswell House on May 6th. Orders will be taken next month for calendars £3.00 and diaries £3.20.

We have received an invitation for four of our members to visit Alnmouth WI on Monday 2nd June, the speaker will be Mrs Enid Rough and the topic is Monologues. Our reading aloud competition members will be given first refusal.

Other events include a Charity Spring Extravaganza at Heighley Gate on May 15th. Entry is by ticket only, available from Heighley Gate price £4.00. A coach is going from Cresswell House to Gardening Scotland on May 31st, cost £21. On July 15th a moderately easy walk from Haltwhistle along Hadrian’s Wall footpath to Crawfields Quarry, cost £5 to include afternoon tea.

Our speaker was Elaine Davis, who amused us with stories of her life as a National Trust Volunteer.

Our Treasurer, Pat Dodd explained her report which showed a healthy balance. The secretary, Pat Boyd reminded us of the many varied speakers and events which we have enjoyed over the past year.

The President, Pat Bagshaw thanked everyone for their support and said how pleased she was that our membership continues to grow. We welcomed two new members to the committee and Pat was elected as President once more.

Eileen Murray thanked the President and the committee for their efforts.

The competition of an idea for an unusual idea for a competition was won by Pat Bagshaw. A pooled supper concluded the evening.

The speaker for our June meeting will be Sylvia McClure, whose topic is Words from a Grandmother’s History. The competition is a sepia family photograph.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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June 2008

Our President Pat Bagshaw welcomed three new committee members and a visitor from Devon to our June meeting. Orders for calendars and diaries were taken and members were asked to indicate if they wished to change their order for the Northumbrian. Any change in requirements please contact Pat Boyd. The book, Remembered Remedies of Northumberland can be ordered price £7.99. Some of our members supplied material for this book by Anne Larvin.

Four of our members enjoyed a visit to Alnwick W.I. and Mary Knowles has provided an anniversary cookery book for the county memorabilia exhibition. The planning of the display to go into The Alnwick Garden and Woodhorn in September is well on the way. National raffle tickets are on sale with excellent prizes, part of the profit will come back to county.

Two trips are available, firstly 9th July to Bowes, cost £15 with Mitford W.I. details in the newsletter. Secondly 19th August to Carlisle cost £7 with Brizlee W.I. details from Joyce Tweedy. This trip will leave from Alnwick. Brizlee are holding a coffee morning on 26th July in Alnwick Town Hall.

Forthcoming events include a Goldwork ONC course starting in September and County Day on 25th October in Morpeth.

Our speaker was Sylvia McClure who gave a talk on Family History and how to find the most interesting details about your ancestors from Parish Records. She had details of her family to the 16th century. The winner of the competition of a family sepia photograph was Helen Franklin.

July’s speakers are Mary and Elizabeth Davidson and their topic is Food and Flowers. The competition is 3 small decorated cakes. There will be a pooled supper.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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September 2008

At our September meeting our President, Pat Bagshaw, congratulated all who entered Warkworth Show and especially Maisie Luke for winning the WI cup. This month there are several coffee mornings in the village. Our help is especially asked for 13th September from 10am at the Memorial Hall. We are to supply scones, serve coffee and wash up.

Brizlee W.I. have invited 4 of our members to their meeting on September 16th. Also there will be a domino drive at Otterburn on November 5th. We have been requested to make the biscuits and serve the coffee at the Council Meeting at Alnwick on October 11th.

A board was passed round to assess interest in a Christmas Shopping Outing.
We were asked for a show of hands for interest in a lunch at Cragside from their Christmas menu.

Good wishes have been sent to Pam McMeakin for a speedy recovery.

Indoor Bowls restart again Thursday September 4th.

Our speaker was Alison Marsh, the owner of the handmade cosmetics company Bomb Cosmetics in Alnwick. She told us how she and her family set up the business and about her products.

The winner of the competition for an attractive perfume bottle was Marjorie Dixon.

Next month the speakers will be Show Prize Winners “Sharing Their Secrets'

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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OCTOBER 2008

At our October meeting our President Pat Bagshaw welcomed two visitors and several former visitors who have become members. Instead of Jerusalem being sung Diana Webber read a poem she had written recording events in Warkworth over the last year. This was a tradition at Warkworth’s historical Court Leet, an event celebrated at our local History Society recently.

Everyone who had helped in any way was thanked as the coffee morning at the Memorial Hall was both a social and financial success. Some members had enjoyed visiting other W.I.s during the last month and it is hoped to return the hospitality. Requests were made for biscuit makers for the council meeting at Alnwick Playhouse on October 11th. The Institute has items for County Day on October 25th. Pat can get them there on Friday but requires help to collect them at the close of the event on Saturday. We hope to enter a decorated tree in the competition in the Northumberland Hall on November 29th. On November 20th there will be training meetings for Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers. It is hoped that members not at the moment in these positions will attend so that they will feel confident to step in when needed.

As our speaker was unable to attend, some members and friends shared tips on being successful at Warkworth show. Helen Wilson gave us fact and fiction about winning Fruit Cakes. Pat Dodd told some of her secrets in achieving perfect results with scones and biscuits. Helen Franklin provided tips on knitting entries. Pat Bagshaw spoke about the Flower Arranging section whilst Sally Black shared hints on Jam and Jelly Making and Poetry. Roger Black kindly provided an insight into what the judges might be looking for in the photography section.

The competition for a picture of a red squirrel was won by Gwen Calvert. Next month's speaker will be Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert with their slide show entitled 'With a Smile and a Sarong' and the competition is a holiday souvenir.

New members or visitors are always welcome.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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NOVEMBER 2008

At our November meeting we welcomed two visitors and our speakers Mr and Mrs Gilbert who entertained us with memories of Java and Bali, using slides, music and poetic commentary.

Pat thanked everyone who baked or helped serve refreshments at the Council meeting in Alnwick, a letter had been received from Jackie Wylie stating her appreciation of a job well done. Our delegate gave a report of the meeting including admiration for the beautiful cloth embroidered by June Pirie.

At County Day we were awarded two second place prizes including one for a co-operative entry and one for socks knitted by Mary Dixon. Reminders were given about future events. These included the Christmas tree Competition in the Nothumberland Hall on November 29th. Our bowls teams will be competing on March 4th and we also hope to have a team to enter the reading aloud in April. Pat Nyberg was congratulated on winning the Taylor’s Tea competition. Shelia Nichol–Velt won our competition of a holiday souvenir with a carved pencil holder bought with a pair of used trainers. We were pleased to hear that Pam McMeakin is recovering well following her knee operation, but sad to hear that Dianna Webber has broken her wrist. Good wishes were sent to both. We had a good response to the 'Shoe Box for Christmas' appeal thanks to all who helped.

December is party night and we will be entertained by Peddler’s Pot and Fred Calvert. Members are invited to bring one guest. There will be a pooled supper and we are asked to bring our own crockery so that all members can enjoy the evening without anyone having to wash up. The competition will be a hand made decoration.
The raffle will be for three hampers, items preferably home made to be brought on the night. A free ticket will be given to those providing items for the raffle.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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2nd DECEMBER 2008

Christmas Party

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6th JANUARY 2009

After wishing all members a Happy New Year Pat told us that two long serving members had unfortunately started the New Year with a stay in Wansbeck Hospital. Fortunately Eileen Murray has returned home, but wasn’t well enough to attend the meeting. Mary Dixon has been moved to Alnwick Infirmary and would welcome visitors. Our best wishes were sent to both.

It was reported that members had enjoyed the Christmas party with the excellent entertainment provided by Fred Calvert and Piddler’s Pot.

As the New Year starts there is a good deal of business. We were informed that a representative from Shilbottle W. I. will represent our Institute at the National AGM and our County Council meeting is to be held in Hexham on March 19th. It is likely that our Federation will amalgamate with Tyneside in the near future. The proposed County Flower Festival which we were due to support has been cancelled. Photographers were told that the 2010 County Calendar will feature Seasons in Northumberland and pictures are needed. The resolutions were discussed.

Our treasurer Pat Dodd collected the yearly membership fee.
There was a good deal of laughter as we followed Anne Cashmore, one of our members, as she showed us her exercises, planned to suit all ages and abilities. Hopefully they will encourage us to extend ourselves in 2009, thank you Anne.

The winner of the competition for the best slice of Christmas cake was Mabel Forsyth. February’s speaker will be Anne Orwin with a talk entitled ‘My Life Treading the Boards’. Members might recognise Anne from her TV appearances. The competition will be a topical limerick. Visitors always welcome.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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3rd FEBRUARY 2009

At our February meeting we enjoyed a social evening with a domino drive, and a chance to get to know our fellow members. Our planned speaker was postponed until April due to the inclement weather.

We were pleased to see Eileen back with us but we were sorry to hear that Mary Dixon was back in hospital after only a short time at home. Our best wishes were sent to her.

Our Carpet Bowls team have a competition on March 4th and on April 7th it is the turn of our Reading Aloud contestants.

Our spring lunch is planned for Thursday March 19th at the Saddle Grill.

The Flower Show WI competition will be Coffee Kisses from the Bero recipe book.
Cresswell House informed us that our main support for better hospital cleaning procedures was echoed throughout the county.

Mentors are needed for vulnerable women in the community. Volunteers would be given training. Training is also available to become a NFWI judge in Flower Arranging, Craft, Cookery, Preservation, Staging and Interpretation.

The competition for a Topical Limerick was won by Helen Wilson.

Next months Speaker will be Allison Arrowsmith, whose topic will be Memory and Sleep Problems. The competition is a Northumbrian Photograph depicting a season of the year.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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MARCH 2009

Our President welcomed members and guest Mary Trayer to our March meeting, we were pleased to see Mary Dixon back in our midst.

Pat reported that Nedderton ladies visited the Thursday Bowls Group last week, she wished them, and both of our Bowls teams, good luck in the County matches in Alnwick. She regretted that there was still no news of the requirements for the reading aloud competition.

We were told that the County choice of Resolutions reflected our own i.e.

1. Calling for the reinstatement of hospital ‘In House Cleaning’.
2. SOS for British Honey Bees.
3. A review of Residential Care Fees for the Elderly.

Details were given about the Northumberland Federation Annual Report, the County Denman visit in 2010, National Raffle tickets, a Car Treasure Hunt, and the bulb sale.
Members were encouraged to eat a Fairtrade Banana between noon on Friday 6th of March and Noon the next day to support the Fairtrade initiative.

Numbers were taken for the lunch at the Saddle Grill on Thursday 19th March. Anyone not at the meeting can contact Pat Boyd or Pat Bagshaw to make menu choices.
A coins for friendship collection was made.

Members were told that the Memorial Hall Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday April 11th. We hope for the usual WI support in providing scones and serving coffee.
The competition for a photograph of Northumberland reflecting a particular season was won by Marjorie Dixon.

Our speaker was Alison Arrowsmith who spoke about the connection between Stress, Sleep and Memory Problems. Her talk was most informative and included a small quiz which we were invited to continue at home. She was warmly thanked by Pat.
Our speaker next month will be Anne Orwin. Her topic will be My Life Treading the Boards.

The competition will be a decorated Egg. As usual new members and visitors are most welcome.

Our president offered apologies for next month’s meeting, this will be chaired by Amanda Hood Gaiter.

Members are reminded that our annual meeting will be in May, new committee members are needed please and there will be a pooled supper.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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APRIL 2009

Our Vice President, Amanda Hood-Gater, welcomed members and guests to our meeting. Amanda was deputising for our President Pat who is on holiday.

Our carpet bowls teams thoroughly enjoyed the competition in St James', Alnwick but sadly neither team came away with a trophy!

The Annual lunch at the Saddle Grill, Alnmouth was much enjoyed and 32 members attended.

Details were given for "Meet the Artist" events at Wooler and Corbridge and a day "Orienteering" at Druridge Bay and "Where Do Medicines Come From?" at the Mining Institute, Newcastle.

Members were asked to make scones and to help at the Memorial Hall coffee morning on Saturday, 11th April.

Our speaker was Anne Orwin who talked to us about her life "On the Boards". She was most interesting and entertaining. She has been in so many plays and soaps in the theatre and on television. One of the first TV shows she was in was "Byker Grove" which she loved. We heard many most amusing stories from behind the curtains.

Our competition winner this month, for a decorated hard boiled egg, was Maisie Luke.

Pat Bagshaw has given us prior notice that she is resigning as our President. Health reasons make it difficult for her to carry on. She has been a most hard working and a friendly leader for us all. At our General Meeting next month we will be voting for a new President.

Miss Houlison, a W.I. Adviser will be joining us on May 5th and there will be a pooled supper. The competition is a fridge magnet.

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MAY 2009

The May meeting was our Annual Meeting. After 10 years of supporting, encouraging and leading us our President Pat Bagshaw is retiring from the committee. Marjorie Dixon is also retiring from the committee.

Pat thanked members for the response for new committee members. She also thanked Marjorie for playing the piano for us and asked if she would agree to continue to play for us when she attends our meetings.

A new by-law that states that executive committee members should not be expected to stand for more than 3 years was passed.

Our treasurer, Pat Dodd explained the accounts that show a healthy balance.
The secretary Pat Boyd reminded us of the many varied speakers and events that we have enjoyed over the last year.

We have 46 members and have had an average attendance of 33 last year.
Pat Dodd won the cup for the most competition points. Margaret Burrell gave a vote of thanks to the out-going committee with a special thank you to Pat Bagshaw.
Janice Wilson and Rachel Parks were voted Joint Presidents. We wish them well and the new committee offered them their whole hearted support.

Thanks were given to the help provided at the Memorial Hall coffee morning. It has been suggested that another year we might support the event on a different stall, as the steps in the hall cause problems for many of our members. In June there will be Courses for Presidents, Treasurers, Secretaries and Programme Secretaries.

We are invited to the History Society on 11th May for a ‘Journey through Northumberland’ with Alex Swailes as their speaker. The Inner Wheel has a few places for their trip to Keswick on 5th June. Cost is £30 which includes lunch, details available from Judith Frich.

Our speaker was Miss Brenda Houlison who explained the proposal for our amalgamation with the Tyneside Federation. After answering questions from the floor a vote was taken for support for the proposal and the vote was carried.

Eileen Murray won the competition with her fridge magnet. A pooled supper concluded the evening.

The speaker for our June meeting will be Helen Grierson whose topic will be Elefante Stained Glass. The competition is a piece of coloured glass.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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JUNE 2009

Our presidents Janice and Rachel welcomed members and two visitors to our June meeting.

Our speaker was Helen Grierson who explained how Elephante Glass came into being. She showed us some of the techniques that she uses in her work. Helen also brought some beautiful examples of her finished work to show us.

The competition for a piece of coloured glass was won by Maisie Luke.

Orders for calendars, diaries, badges and the Northumbrian were taken. Members were asked to indicate their requirements on the lists which were circulated during the meeting.

There are going to be Dart and Domino Competitions later in the year and teams of four for each event will be required. Volunteers for these teams are needed.
Coffee Kisses will be our show competition this year. Copies of the recipe were made available. Our attention was drawn to several fourthcoming events around the county. Amanda Hood-Gorton is going as our representative to the extraordinary meeting on July 24th.

We were asked to support several local events that were taking place in the village during June. First was on Saturday June 6th when the show committee had a stall in Dial Place. Next was on Wednesday 10th June when Abbeyfield had an Open Afternoon from 3-5pm. Warkworth Lights Committee also asked for support at their Coffee Morning on Saturday June 13th. The Flower Club invited us to their meeting on June 18th; the cost of this was £6.

July’s speaker is Rosie Ross whose topic will be ‘Five Good Years’. The competition is a Beach Find.

Helen Franklin
Press Secretary

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