The meeting was opened by Ann Richards our President.

Names were taken for members who wish to attend the Chairman’s Garden Party to be held at the home of Cecilia Wharton on Wednesday, 25 July 2012.  The tickets will be ordered.

The Group Fair will be held on 20 October 2012 – our stall will be  Unwanted Gifts and Jewellery.

Val Bartlett gave her report as Delegate to the Durham County Federation Spring Council meeting.  She had found it to be every bit as enjoyable and informative as ever, and praised the work of the Executive Committee.  She gave us an interesting report on the work of “Women In Need”, a charity in India which was set up to help women who have Leprosy.  As the Charity has developed, it takes in women who have a number of mental and physical needs.  The women are given shelter and help from living on the streets, shunned by their husbands and families.

Val also gave us a humorous account from a speaker who pretended to be a WVS worker during the war and gave us hints on how to save money with clothing.  It brought back many memories for some of our members.

Anne Walshaw told members to make a note in their diaries for the Hamsterley WI walk to be held in Staindrop, with lunch at the Country Teashop on Tuesday, 14 August 2012.

Val Bartlett reminded members that Linda Birch is holding an Art Exhibition at The Bowes Museum in November.  She will also be our speaker for our November meeting.

Janet Embleton reminded members about the Hamsterley WI Outing to Alnwick Gardens on Thursday, 14 June 2012.  There are still a few places for visitors.  The price is £22 including entry into Alnwick Gardens.
If you have already visited Alnwick Gardens, the coach fare to Alnwick is only £10.  Please contact Janet Embleton on 01388 488384 if you would like to join us.

Janet Embleton and Sue Davies are going as visitors to the National WI AGM to be held in the Royal Albert Hall in London on 30 May 2012.
Janet gave a briefing to members about the WI Resolution for the Employment of More Midwives.  A vote was taken on the resolution and the result will be given to our Delegate, Christine Laidlow from Toft Hill and Etherley WI.

The competition was a Supper dish to be eaten on the night.
(1)   Angela Watson      (2) Ann Richards    (3)  Carol Elliott
Needless to say we enjoyed a beautiful Supper following the meeting!

The Raffle was won by

The next meeting will be held on 12 June 2012 at 7pm.  The speaker is Julie Million on the Formation of Body Shop.  All ladies are very welcome to come to the meeting as visitors.

Janet Embleton

The whole school spent an afternoon in the village Baptist Church, attending a presentation celebrating over 200 years of worship in the present building and over 300 years of Baptist worship in County Durham. We were all made very welcome and the children enjoyed a fun quiz and loved looking down into the deep baptistry.

All of our pupils took part in a Science Event at Frosterley with Frosterley school. The children spent time at Harehope Quarry looking at animal tracks and seeds and plants.

Hamsterley Primary School Football Team is competing with good team spirit and are doing well in the small school league.

The children raised money for Sports Relief both at school and at Wolsingham pool at a swimming event.

Friends of the School are planning a summer fund raising event. If anyone would like to join the group or volunteer to help out at future events please contact the school (tel. 01388 488 279). We are a small, friendly group who meet once or twice a term and would love to see new members!

Once again many thanks to our volunteers in school. If you would like to volunteer please give the school a call (number above).

Bank Holiday Monday, 27th August 2012.

Volunteers wanted.

Flower and Vegetable Competition announced.

See all the latest information on the Hoppings 6 page.

In order to help towards the cost of the new pew-cushions at the Parish Church of St James.
CHANGE of DATE: This event will now be held on Saturday 19th May at 10.30am at Ravensford Farm (Peacocks).
CHANGE of VENUE: The Christian Aid Coffee Morning is now sharing this event at Ravensford Farm,instead of being held at the Churches Together Centre.
All are welcome.  Contributions to a cake stall and plant stall would be very much appreciated.

Saturday 19th May, 8.00pm to 12 midnight. Hamsterley Village Hall.
Please bring your own food and drinks. Tea and biscuits will be provided.
For tickets and more details, please contact Juliet on 01388 488287 or Anne on 01388 488318.

Zumba At the Social Club, Tuesday 24th May (and every Tuesday), 7.45-8.45.

Thursday 24th May to Saturday 26th May, 9.30 to 4.00pm, there will be a fascinating exhibition of Bible history at the Hamsterley Churches Together Centre (Methodist Church).
Entry is free and there will be rare and unusual artefacts on display together with models etc. Suitable for all ages.

Vanguard – Progressive Craft.

Hamsterley Village Hall will be completely transformed into a unique gallery space for three days from Friday to Sunday 25th to 27th May from 11am to 5pm each day. The exhibition, featuring some fifty stunning pieces, focuses on artists who are combining modern technology with traditional skills in amazing new ways.

It showcases the work of jeweller and textile artist Nora Fok, artist Catherine Fuga Carr who crochets with glass, furniture designer Liam Hopkins of Lazerian and Cumbrian ceramicist Michael Eden.

Liam Hopkins will be in attendance for two days. On the Friday he will be guiding children from Hamsterley Primary School and students from St. John’s Catholic Academy round the exhibition. He will also be giving a talk at 12 noon on the Saturday prior to the official opening at 1pm. We understand that Liam willb exhibitin not only furniture but also Gerald the Dog!

Entry for the Craft Tour is £2 for adults, FREE for children aged 16 and under.

Refreshments will be on sale.

To book for the talk and opening or for more details, please contact Jacquie on 01388 488323 or Anne on 01388 488318.

The Hudson Sisters. Saturday 2nd June 2102.

Cabaret Night. £4.00 per ticket.

On sale now from Kevin at the Club.

Bank Holiday Monday, 4th June, 2pm to dusk, at The Cross Keys.
Join us to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at our Summer BBQ. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children.
Fingers crossed for sunshine!