We began our stitching year with a garden party at Flowerdale Glenbervie, which is always an excellent start to the year.

At the AGM we held the Challenge competition 'At the bottom of my garden' sponsored by local framer Stuart Spicer of Hidden House. The standard of the items entered was very high and the winner was our secretary Noeline Seymour.

Eighteen of our members attended the Kaitaia Regional Day in May and two members spoke of their enjoyable day at Kerikeri's 20 th birthday party.

We were able to announce in June that we were now an incorporated society after a number of years making sure all the details are correct.

In July several of our members attended Conference on the North Shore and returned with glowing accounts. We were naturally delighted that our own Dawn Nicholl was the winner of the Members' Exhibition. 'Addicted to Stitch' at Conference. Dawn is an inspiration to us all .

Perhaps the highlight of the year was our own Regional Day in October. Nanette Smith spoke briefly of her visit to Russia . Our own dear Yillie kept us amused as always, Vicki and Lorna of STARCH brought along their linen treasures to display and the 'Sweet Adelines' sang for us.

Our caterers (members' husbands) did an excellent job in the presentation of morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. To complete the day Northland managed to put on fine weather. We so appreciated the numbers who made the effort to be with us on that day. It was a time to meet up with old friends and make new ones. A special thanks to Semco for their support.

A team of competent tutors among our members have encouraged us all throughout the year to leam new skills in worthwhile workshops.

Forum North has been booked from March 11 to 13 for our 2005 Exhibition. It will be a time once more to meet up with old and new friends and enjoy seeing the results of many hours work.

Rowena Ball