CHRISTMAS QUILLING.

WEST KENT FEDERATION, organises lots of workshops and day schools for us to learn a new skill - today's was quilling, which has been done for hundreds of years. In the beginning the exponents had to cut the paper into thin strips - today it comes pre cut (see the red and green strips)

Everyone accomplished a Poinsettia, an Angel, some candles and a Christmas Rose -

plus lots of ideas for the future.

Flowers Food & Philanthropy

This week, West Kent Federation of WI's arranged a County meeting at Sutton Valence Village Hall. The hall was packed,and first we learned all about FAIRTRADE -how it was set up, who it benefits, and the progress it has made to ensure that workers (especially in the South of the World) get a fair price for the items they produce. This was followed by a WAITROSE telling us about their ethos, how their staff benefit from the profits made and how they look after their suppliers. It seems that their selling point is the really fresh and tasty food, and the good service by its staff.



After lunch we heard an inspiring talk from a local GP who with 5 others started a Charity which benefits villagers in Tanzania. A large proportion of the money raised goes to look after the 200 orphans (whose parents died from HIV) so that they can now go to school and even University.
Another major project has been to ensure that the villages now have water. The villagers have been very happy that this charity has provided continuity for many years -Previous charities had come and gone.

Finally a wonderful demonstration of Flower arranging was given by Jo of 'MoodyBlooms'.

The stunning displays then became part of the raffle. Hollingbourne had gone in a group of seven, and believe it or not 3 of us won a flower arrangement.

The Blooming fields of Hollingbourne

SUDDENLY, after months of dry weather, the seeds planted for the wild flower meadow by the Meadows Trust have bloomed - in the Middle of October 2011. Go there as soon as you can!

The WI have already been there already -

with Joyce, Janice and Sue captured on camera by Val

THAMES FLOOD BARRIER REVISITED

In September during our District voyage on the MV Pocahontas we sailed through the Thames Flood Barrier to London - This Photo

On Sunday 9th October the Barrier was closed all the way across for the one day annual closure testing.
It is a very clever engineering feat. Each open section has a trough like shape which sits on the bed of the Thames, connected at each end to the Silver/Yellow up right sections. When London is about to be flooded by an exceptionally High Tide, the troughs are all swivelled upwards, the barrier is closed, and London is safe!
The closure gave a calm flat area of water above the barrier and Greenwich Sailing Club were making full use of it. There is a car park, cafe and visitor centre south of the Thames and entry is charged, but on the open day it was free. Look out for Next year's closure

It is also the start of the Thames footpath which goes all the way to the source, near Cirencester