Houghton - Down Your Way

KepierWI members Wendy Clish, Marian Ferguson and Marie Henderson played a selection of favourites on the ukulele at the institute's anniversary meeting.

The task this year was to enter a set of three photographs on the theme of ‘Our Beautiful World’ and the winner was Reuben James, from Eppleton Academy Primary School. He was presented with the winner’s trophy, a certificate and a £25 book token by Rotary president Bernard Blacklock at a presentation in the school assembly. Headteacher Mrs Murray also received the school trophy, which they have won for three years in succession and three more book tokens to use for prizes at the school and details for the theme of next year’s competition will be circulated in September.

There are still tickets available for all three sessions of the Houghton Annual Beer Festival in the Welfare Hall of the Sports Complex on Friday, May 6, from 6pm, Saturday, May 7, from noon-5pm and again from 6pm, and they can be reserved in advance from Ian Topliff on 07974 203978 for collection at each session with payment at the door. If any tickets remain these will be available on payment at the door at each sessions.

Kepier WI president Marian Furgeson cuts the birthday cake to celebrate the institute's 21st anniversary as well as the Queen's 90th birthday.

Instead of their regular meeting in the Methodist Church hall on Thursday, Houghton Older People’s Enterprise will be having a coach outing to a performance by the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ followed by afternoon tea.

Shiney Row Male Voice choir is rehearsing in St Aidan’s Worship Centre, New Herrington, on Friday evenings, due to refurbishment work at its previous venue and new members would be welcome.The choir held a fundraising concert in thanks, which raised £500 towards church funds.

Houghton and District Rambling Club will be walking around Roseberry Topping on Sunday with leader T Wilkinson, phone 5842488, or secretary John Conder, tel. 3856551.

The next meeting of Gilpin Women’s Institute will be held in St Michael’s Kepier Hall at 1.30pm on Thursday, May 5, when musical entertainment will be provided by the group ‘2 Sum’.

The Sunderland Group of the Ramblers’ Association will be walking the Cockfield Circular, meeting in the car park east of Cockfield at 10.30am on Wednesday, May 4, with leader John Roughtledge. Phone 5286966 for further details.

Member Judy Tasker represented Houghton Methodist Women’s Fellowship at the Methodist Annual Conference at Swanwick and reported to her colleagues on the discussions about women in Methodism and standing up for their rights.

The Inner Wheel Club (wives and partners of Rotarians) celebrated their birthday with a traditional afternoon tea in Rainton Meadows Information Centre where they hold their monthly meetings.

Judy Tasker, from Houghton Methodists, spoke to Sunniside Women’s Fellowship about Finding our Voice and the contribution women can make to their church.

Kepier WI meeting, held on April 7, was the occasion for two celebrations – the 21st anniversary of its inauguration, and the Queen’s 90th birthday. President Marian Ferguson cut a beautiful celebratory cake as members drank a toast to the Queen and enjoyed a tea party in her honour. The afternoon was made complete with musical entertainment from ‘2Sum’ and a selection of Ukelele favourites from three Kepier members, Wendy Clish, Marian Ferguson and Marie Henderson. Kepier’s next meeting will take place on Thursday, May 5, at 1.30pm when entertainment will be presented by Herrington Academy Children’s Choir. Visitors are most welcome.