North Sunderland and Seahouses WI, Meeting

At the July meeting of North Sunderland and Seahouses WI several members, plus a visitor, came along to what turned out to be an hilarious evening.

President Mrs Pat Minto welcomed everybody and introduced Helene Dolder, whose subject was Ladies who Laugh, which we certainly did.

Quite apart from the mild innuendo, she recited some excellent little ditties. One was regarding our present political situation, which as we all know is changing daily, so she had to adjust the poems daily, to the tune of Oh, Mr Porter.

After all this excitement, we settled down to tea and biscuits, while our secretary Mrs Sandra MacFarlane read out the minutes of the previous meeting, which were accepted. Our treasurer Mrs C Phillips gave an update regarding our finances.

Our last meeting, held in June, celebrated the Queen’s birthday and had been very successful as we had visitors from nearby institutes.

We have received invitations to Embleton for its 98th anniversary, and to Ancroft on September 8, when Mr Rob Wilson will lecture on Poisons in the Garden.

Future dates include a stained glass taster day in September, and lunch at Creswell House in October. The group meeting will be at Beadnell on Wednesday, September 21. Various workshops for treasurers and secretaries are scheduled for September 1, 5 and 21. These will be at Cresswell House.

Also in September, a poetry and cakes day will take place at Holeyn Hall, and there will be lunch with Ivan Day at Hexham Mart. A fashion show is being arranged at Heighley Gate on Tuesday, September 20. A new members’ gathering has been arranged for Wednesday, October 5, at Cresswell House, with two sessions at 2pm and 7pm. These will be very informative and useful.

Our annual outing is on Tuesday, August 12, when we will visit the Teviot Smokery. The coach will depart at 1.30pm. The next pub lunch is on Saturday, July 30, at the Barn at Beal, always enjoyable.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 6, when Mrs Read, federation treasurer, will talk to us regarding the ACWW.

The raffle was won by Mrs Pat Hewitt, and the competition for a humorous postcard was won by Mrs Walton, Mrs MacLachlan and Mrs Wood.

Our annual strawberry afternoon tea will be held in the Methodist Church hall, Seahouses, on Thursday, August 18, at 2.30pm. There will also be a raffle and tombola, plus a cake and book stall. The cost will be £2.50, free for children, so do come along and join us.