TOTTINGTON St Anne's Mothers' Union held its annual general meeting on March 15.

Two new members were admitted to the branch in church, prior to the meeting, after which there was the usual election of officers for the branch, followed by reports from the secretary, treasurer, speakers' secretary, welfare visitors and the prayer chain link, plus members who visit residential homes in the village.

Marian Sutcliffe, the branch leader, began her report by thanking all the officers, the general committee, Bridget Park and the vicar for all their support and help throughout the year, and stated that all the friendship of everyone made her job so much easier.

She reported that the group now had 78 members which means that we are one of the largest branches in the Manchester Diocese.

Marian then gave a brief resume of the year's activities, which included theme evenings, outings, walks and suppers, planting two trees on Town Meadow and a varied and enjoyable list of speakers for our meeting nights.

She thanked Jean Crabtree for arranging the speakers.

We also had the chance to celebrate special occasions for our members such as important birthdays, anniversaries, births of grandchildren and, this year, the birth of a baby for Isobel.

We were also asked to always be aware that being a MU member means that we are part of a world- wide organisation supporting other MU groups throughout the world who so desperately need our love, prayers and help in so many varied ways.

During the last year, the MU at Mary Sumner House, London, sent either money or practical help to groups in such varied places as Burundi, West Indies, Swansea, Sudan and India, giving aid for famines, floods, hurricanes etc. For example, water, clothes, foods and medicines were sent out.

Later, Pauline Cartridge thanked Marian for everything she does for us leading the branch, giving us inspiration and help for all we managed to do during the year.

The committee for 2005-2006: branch leader: Marian Sutcliffe; Secretary: Elsie Hare; treasurer: Valerie Rayner; dep treasurer: Vera Rigby; speakers secretary: Margo Williams.

The general committee: Cynthia Bennett, Sandra Caine, Mary Clarke, Jean Crabtree, Pauline Cunliffe, Joan Dickinson, Jean Hardman, Glo Jupp, Joyce Johnson, Margaret Parker, Kathleen Rigby, Pat Scott, Sally Smith.

C.M.B.