Abseiling, becoming a yoga or karate instructor, giving birth, achieving a hole-in-one, getting a degree, climbing a mountain and celebrating your 100th birthday - all this year - may sound like a tall order.

But these are just some of the tasks the Townswomen's Guild Federations have been set in 1999.

Legalising cannabis for the terminally ill is another project.

It's the movement's 70th anniversary and with 80,000 members nationwide, the Townswomen's Guild is still going strong.

In Oxfordshire alone there are 500 members and 13 guilds.

Oxford Federation chairman Brenda Tomlin has certainly got her hands full because it's the county's 25th anniversary this year as well.

But then she is a great advert for the up-to-date approach the federation has adopted. This is no old-fashioned organisation. For example Brenda, 57, believes cannabis should be available for those with life-threatening illnesses.

Last year, the central committee voted overwhelmingly to support the campaign and has been writing to MPs and applying considerable pressure on the powers-that-be to get the law changed.

Brenda said: "People can't seem to get over the word legalisation, but if you add 'under specific medical supervision' we're talking about a different thing.

"At the moment, cancer patients use morphine and heroin addicts methadone. I can't see how cannabis administered to the terminally ill can be a bad thing if it's strictly controlled," the Carterton TWG chairman said.

"Since the subject has been broached, so many sufferers have come forward and admitted using it.

"It's all very well getting on your soap box about it, but you or me could be diagnosed with MS tomorrow and then we might need it. If you're in great pain and other treatment has failed and your illness is terminal I would use it," she said. The committee is also campaigning against making pensioners sell their assets to pay for their nursing home care, and against genetically-modified food.

On a brighter note, the more traditional practices of meetings, speakers and outings are continuing on a weekly basis around the county and plans are being made for the silver anniversary.

A massive celebration dinner is being planned at the Masonic Hall in Banbury Road, Oxford, in June and each guild is making a panel for a large tablecloth.

But will the guilds still be going in another 70 years time?

Falling attendance numbers speak for themselves, and although membership is still buoyant and recruitment drives are constantly being launched, there are few new faces signing up. Brenda explained that the movement was originally formed not only to educate women, but to provide a social life.

"In those days, urbanisation and suburbanisation left many women lonely and isolated. The guilds changed all that, bringing them together to chat, listen and learn.

"These days, people have so much to do. There are evening classes and keep-fit, home computers and groups to join. So many mums work now as well and people just don't have the time," she said.

"We cannot make people join. All we can do is make people aware we are here, even if it's just for a cup of tea and a chat once a week. It's only £11 a year."

Mother and daughter Sybil Hale and Josephine Norgrave both joined Carterton TWG when it first opened 15 years ago. Josephine, 57, said: "It was something new and different and we have been going back ever since. It certainly appeals to all ages."

Her 77-year-old mother agreed. She said: "In the beginning, it was something to do in the evenings and provided a great social life with the meetings, outings and talks.

"I first moved to Carterton 35 years ago and there really wasn't much to do then.

"To keep it going, the TWG has to get more people interested, but it's difficult."

In the meantime, the Oxford federation has already achieved half of its challenges and is working hard to complete the rest by the Millennium.

Meanwhile, the existing members are keeping very busy.

For more information call 01865 374967.

Story date: Thursday 28 January

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.