THE members of the Radcliffe Townswomen's Guild had a lovely Christmas meal at Stand Golf Club. The evening was concluded by the committee members performing Jack and the Beanstalk, followed by recitals and jokes.

The annual postcard competition was won by Anne Smith with her 1920s card of a girl holding a dove. Anne will choose the 2005 theme.

Ten members are going on the federation trip on March 9 which is a tour around the Manchester Library Theatre. The tour starts at 12noon and then after a break they will attend the play The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard. A letter on behalf of the members has been sent to federation thanking them for organising the Christmas service at the Cross Street chapel, Manchester.

There are now two publications available to members. The Townswoman magazine, which will be sent out in the spring, summer and winter, and costs a £4.50 annual payment. The new-look news letter will be sent to every member in April, the cost is included in the subscription which will be collected at the February meeting.

The programme for the forthcoming year has been arranged with a diverse and entertaining agenda. It should be available by the February meeting.

The chosen charity for 2005 is the RNLI. A charity concert has been organised for April featuring members of the Radcliffe brass band. Friends, relatives and other guilds will be invited in order to support this cause which is supported entirely by donations.

The speaker booked for January is unable to attend but our social secretary has managed to book another who will talk about the sedate age of banking.

This is a friendly, easy going guild and visitors will be most welcome. The next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 26 at the Bridge Methodist hall.

K.T.