Your local WI has been very busy over the last couple of months. At our June meeting we had a really interesting talk about ‘Parliament and women’, covering the suffragette movement and modern day inequalities that still exist in parliament. At July’s meeting it was another fascinating talk entitled Crowns and Tiaras and our August meeting will be a fun games night with lots of different games to try.

As always we have also been out and about. Some of our ladies had a lovely day trip to Wallington Hall and gardens in Northumberland with lots of tea and cake being consumed. There has also been the Durham Federation garden party and many classes and courses at WI house. Including artisan bread making, attended by 3 of our members.

One of our members recently held a coffee morning at her home, and was well supported by the rest. £230 was raised and passed on to the MRI scanner appeal.

We recently held a craft fair in St. Clare’s church hall as part of Aycliffe Festival. There were competitions and demonstrations as well as exhibits. Although the number of competition entries was disappointing and it would have been nice to have seen more people, we had a lovely time. The church volunteers put on teas and coffees and bacon butties and there was a cake stall for those with a sweet tooth.

Our main forthcoming event is a HISTORY WARDROBE EVENING. It is entitled ‘Votes for Women’. History wardrobe brings their talks to life with costumes and props. It promises to be a very enjoyable evening. This is an open event, tickets are £10 to non members which includes a glass of wine or soft drink and must be purchased before hand as numbers are limited.

Your WI meets at St. Clare’s church hall at 7pm on the second Tuesday of each month. Come along ladies and make new friends.

Any enquiries please contact Helen Webster on 01325 315017.