Hermitage Guild: MEMBERS of the Hermitage Guild celebrated their 37th birthday in style, with rousing musical numbers to sing along with and much toe-tapping and clapping to accompany Eddy Tuff on his guitar and banjo.

A party supper followed with a celebration cake cut by Mary Dale, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday shortly.

The business meeting told members of the coming Federation Day at Gateshead Civic Centre on May 24, when flowers, cakes and knitting competitions will be judged, alongside the guild table set for an Intimate Dinner for Two.

The national council meeting this year is being held at the Harrogate Conference Centre and the mandates being discussed are 1) Pensions for carers, 2) Grandparents' rights. Members are asked to put their views to the next guild meeting on June 13, at 7.30pm, at Red Rose School, to help delegates attending the meeting.

The raffle was won by Laura Davidson and the door prize, by Pam Palmer. The speaker at the next meeting will be Chris McLaren, who will give a talk about Hedgehog Rescue. Anyone who would like to join the guild is very welcome to attend.

North Lodge: THE president Brenda Dawson welcomed members to the May meeting.

Alan Duffy's talk, Golden Years, was quite humorous. Members laughed at Joyce Whitmore's reading of Old Age, as many suffered the various complaints she mentioned.

Mabel Winter's entry for a Gingerbread Man won the cup in the Moor group competition.

Marjorie Moody discussed the resolutions for the AGM. A visit to the Empire Theatre at Sunderland plus an evening meal in August were also discussed.

Competition winners for a fridge magnet were 1) Elizabeth Whitely, 2) Sylvia McLean, 3) Gwen Jackson.

The next meeting will be on June 8, at the United Reformed Church Hall, Low Chare, Chester-le-Street at 7pm.

Wentworth Park WI: THE speaker for the May meeting was Ann Blythe, who shared her humorous experiences on home sitting, with members.

Jean Brabam got off to a flying start by winning the first competition of the year, with a posy in a wine glass.

Resolutions for the Cardiff AGM were presented to the members by delegate, Marjorie Moody.

Members with a birthday to celebrate this month were Audrey Stephenson, Hannah Liddle and Moira Hunter. The successful door prize winner was Audrey Stephenson.

Wentworth Park had hosted a successful group meeting, in Ouston Community Centre, on the previous evening. The speaker was Paul Mooney, local TV weather forecaster, with entertainment by the Belltones. Most members wore hats, which made a very colourful scene.