HOLLINGBOURNE VILLAGE FETE 4TH JUNE

WE ARE NOW 85 YEARS OLD AND ARE TO HAVE A STATIC DISPLAY OF OUR PAST AND PRESENT.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT THE TENT - WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU THERE

• OUR HISTORY WILL BE IN WORDS AND PICTURES
• OUR CRAFTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY,
• SOMETHING TO EAT WITH A RECIPE TO TAKE HOME
• STORY TELLING!
• BE THERE.

President/Resolutions/Twenty Questions

June was the time to Elect our PRESIDENT for the year, from the members who were willing to serve on the Committee. We have two new committee members, Sue Woodhouse and Rita Moon - we welcome them both and thank them in anticipation of their input.

There was a democratic Vote on paper for President - Three names were put forward, but only one agreed to stand and Val Willliams was re-elected.

National Resolutions - This year there were two subjects to discuss - for and against.

1. Support for Local Libraries - After discussion it was generally felt that one could not vote against the idea of this resolution, but that as with most things Funding was the key

2. Mega Farms -

The resolution was that HM Govenment should not grant planning for 'Mega farms'. There was animated discussion from members with farming backgrounds as well as those who saw the need to provide increased in food production to ensure there was sufficient food for the increasing world population. The vote showed a majority for this resolution

Every institute will have a vote on these two in June at the National AGM. and the result will then become a mandate for future action.

Then came our game of 20 QUESTIONS. -

Four members asked us to guess something significant from their past

The first Member has made a cup of tea for Fred Dibnah (Steeplejack) in his own home

The second while on holiday in Kenya, had woken during the night to a call of nature,

and after visiting the outside long drop latrine, had found a Hippo barring her return to the tent. She had to spend 2 hours confined to the latrine!!!

The third had a sporting memory - that of having sat next to Mick Jagger while watching a cricket match at Lords.
Finally, our fourth member had made bouquets for Princess Anne on many occasions.

A lot of fun was had, but needless to say we did not guess any of them. I wonder what else people have been hiding from their backgrounds? We may have more of these in the future.

The Palace of Westminster

It's the First Tuesday of the Month again, and we were off on our travels with our WI Badges to the fore. From Hollingbourne Railway station up to London. ( A money saving tip - go in a group of at least 4 and your ticket will only cost £9.50 return)


Once again, please note that partners and friends are welcome on many of our visits and do not have to wear a badge or profess allegiance to the WI




Our purpose - to visit the Palace of Westminster at the invitation of our MP Hugh Robertson, the Minister for Sport. We had all the paperwork, and arrived at the appointed time. Our Photos were taken - we were issued with passes - we went through the security checks and were into Westminster Hall. The oldest part of the buildings and completed in 1099 in the reign of William the Conqueror's son, William Rufus. It was built to impress. and is still one of the largest undivided mediaevel spaces in existence.
We took in everything our assigned guide told us. Including that we must not take photographs in House of Parliament - sorry. His Boss was Black Rod. He was full of information and answered all our questions.
You may have seen Westminster Hall on TV as it is used for the' Lying in state' after the deaths of monarch and some prime ministers such as Winston Churchill
With our guide we visited with the House Of Commons, saw the benches of the various parties, and the Speaker's chair. The House of Lords with its Woolsack, the Central Lobby and post office, the robing rooms and finally he took a picture of us. (all sporting our photographic passes)
It was a very interesting visit, and the architecture and woodwork and enormous oil paintings were stunning. We had a quick snack and then had a choice -

There were those who felt fit and decided to that BIG BEN had to be tackled - 334 steps up, and 334 down. - though extra security and personal identification was required. They were issued with ear plugs to guard against the noise of the bells - just as well as there were two chimes during the assent and descent. The view was amazing and worth all the huffing and puffing.
There were those who decided to join the long queues to enter Westminster Abbey for a view of the Royal Wedding flowers (only 5 days after the ceremony.) It was worth the wait, and a unique experience.
Others decided that nothing was better than a stroll along the Thames on a beautiful sunny day.


We all made it back to the train after a fantastic day out, and must thank Mary Henderson who made all the arrangements but was unfortunately unable to join us due to family illness