Joe Carpenter & Son - An English Nativity

Just Before Christmas 2010, Keith Harris directed GRAHAM CLARKE's nativity in Hollingbourne Church, with a cast of 'thousands' The WI served Mulled wine and mince pies.

The Angels were Angelic

David Absom told the 2000 year old tale

Mary and Joseph and the Babe recreated the wonder.

The Wise Men spoke in strange tones, to make themselves appear Wise

and the Cast of Thousands and the audience enjoyed themselves

including Ex Rev Norman in his new Career of Gabriel ( A Postman Extraordinary)

Happy New Year to you all

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS

Happy ChristmasOur Christmas Party held on 14th was enjoyed by all - A hot meal of Chicken casserole with Jacket Potatoes and peas, followed by Sweets and mince pies - with no washing up! Alan and Peter (WI husbands )wielded the tea towels with gusto.

Next we welcomed all of our guests, and opened Christmas cards with individual poems composed especially for the occasion.

then....then....then.... the Play reading began.(some actors had run this through together once; others never; two even got their parts on the actual day at a moment's notice and weren't even WI members. )

It was a Victorian Melodrama called LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET

A tale of a faded beauty of a barmaid, an elderly and Rich Lord Audley, a Scheming jumped up Lady Audley, and a long suffering maid.

George, a sad widower(or so he thought), a rough fellow(luke) and Robert Audley (Lord Audley's nephew) played their parts with feeling, and moustaches and sideburns.

A true action shot, with Luke (supported by two other village wenches) dying twice . Lady Audley and Robert Audley transfixed by something off stage.

Lady Audley was the villain of the piece. She was a bigamist, attempted Murder three times, committed arson, and finally went mad and killed herself. - ALL LIFE WAS THERE!

The Audience were also transfixed (ha ha)
The full cast taking a final bow - note the hand clapping by the audience.

We all finished off by singing Silent night, and A Way in a Manger. A lovely evening.

(Note - we apologise for the mystery circles appearing on some of the pictures they are entirely accidental and have no hidden meaning)

West Kent Carol Service at Rochester Cathedral

On Wednesday 8th December Hilary Lucette and Margaret Weaver joined hundreds(literally) of West kent Members in the County Carol Service. It was a wonderful service of lessons and Carols. We were led by a special WI Choir ( formed for this event) which included our president Val Williams -

Second from the right, with her mouth open - in full voice.

As well as old favourites that we all sang, the Choir sang modern carols by John Rutter, Michael Barrett. A few Men had been asked to join the choir which added to the tone and included one carol by these gentlemen only - Processional Alleluia by Victor C Johnson.

Margaret and Hilary also enjoyed a couple of hours in the High Street, taking the opportunity to spend quite some time in the various craft shops with a quick stop for a sandwich in the Visitor Centre. A really good day!

We discovered free parking near Rochester Castle, which has a German Christmas Market over this period which we are sure is worth a visit.

WI Meeting -18th January 2011

After our Information session - at 8.15pm

Mary Henderson is to lead us in ' Keep Fit for all' Mary asks us to wear something comfortable and easy to move in. We will do easy movements where everyone works to their own ability, with music. Bring a scarf, either long or square, as we will introduce working with a scarf which helps you to move to a further extension of the body as well as being fun. It will not be too difficult and you can even do it sitting down. At the end of the session you should feel the benefit of movement and learn something you can carry on doing at home.

Our January Competition will be to design (not make) an Olympic Pennant for an Athlete competing in the 2012 Games. It is not possible to use any of the Olympic Logos in the design but it could depict sporting activities or perhaps something unique to the maker.Pennants can be any shape or design using any textile media. The basic shape is 12" by 16".

The winning design will then be made by a group of members in the next few months.

The finished one will be on display at our July 2011 meeting and submitted immediately afterwards to the organisers.

More information is to be found on www.quilts4london.org.uk.

HOLLINGBOURNE WI TRIATHLON WIN.

The National Federation of WI's gave a challenge to all WI's to complete a triathlon of 5 mile swim, 20 miles cycle, and 50 miles walk - to be a joint effort not individual.

23 WIs in West Kent completed the challenge and of these Hollingbourne was chosen to go forward to the National Competition. - this was because we had the highest proportion of members participating - 100 % - all 21 of us. - We now have to wait and see how we match up to others around the country.