HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Happy Christmas to you ! 

(whether you have arrived at this website by accident, or on purpose )

Two home made Christmas cards from our members

Made using a fairly modern technique - Stamping 

Made using the age old technique of  'Glueing and Sticking'

Our Christmas party had delicious food, friendly faces, a dance, and a game or two.

This picture looks like the incredibly boring game - 

STARE AT A BUCKET !

 However it was TABLE TENNIS BALL BINGO.  A lot of fun, each persons egg box had numbered table tennis balls inside.  The numbers were called bingo style and, and the lucky numbered ball was then bounced into the bucket. - or at least that was the idea - most balls had a mind of their own.  The winner was the person with the final ball remaining - and received a prize.

 These three look to the left in pensive mood

 To the right totally disinterested

 but finally a smile creeps on their faces. 

Do come along  to our meetings next year, 

we have lots of interesting speakers and 

will give you a warm welcome

7.30 Hollingbourne Village Hall. Third Tuesday of the month. 

Japanese patchwork craft - get together and learn.

Having learned how to make  Japanese folded patchwork,  at a West Kent Day School, 

 (see previous Blog)

It was time for Margaret to pass on the skill.

Seven members JANE, SUE, JEAN, MARY, RITA, HILARY AND VAL 

 spent a happy two hours,  cutting,  ironing and stitching.  

It is a good craft, one square can become a coaster,  a Christmas decoration or a Christmas Card,  

5 can become a square box, and  12 - 16 can become a cushion cover. 

 Each of the seven chose a different central fabric and these were the results.  

 Members went home with the fabric to create their own masterpiece.  - 

One among us suggested making a kingsize bed cover - 

I imagine this was idle chatter rather than a definite plan, but who knows - we shall see. 

FIRST AID

One of the WI's aims is to provide education/training for its members.

Today FRANK, provided First Aid Training to Preserve Life, Prevent the Condition Worsening and Promote Recovery.   - i.e. Initial assistance to a casualty for sudden illness. The most important point being to ring 999 or 112 for  paramedic.

 A Brief look at the heart and then on to  interesting facts. -

1.  After Heart attack and Stoke, Peanuts are the third most prominent Killer in the UK.
   they can get stuck in the throat and you choke, ( and those eaten from a bar saucer are probably full of germs)

2. For items stuck in the throat - administer
a) 5 back slaps  b) 5 abdominal Thrusts  at the base of the ribs, holding from behind.
do this up to three times and the 0bstruction should move.
c) If the person becomes unconscious don't worry,  they will stop coughing, and begin breathing

3. If you discover a person  unconscious . remember  D R A B C
a) D- Danger - have they been gassed, electrocuted etc - there may be danger to you (a helper)
   tap them with the back of your hand (you will not be electrocuted)to find out if they are conscious
b) R - Response - talk to them, are they replying?
c) A - Airways - Lift chin to move head back and clear airway. Is there an obstruction?
d) B -  Breathing?  Place hand flat on the stomach to see if it rises and falls.
e) C - Circulation

If a person is unconscious and breathing put them in the Recovery Position - Val is doing this by Placing the hand nearest to her on the floor above the head. Lifting the furthest knee. Placing the furthest hand beside the head on the nearest side.

 Then Val easily rolls the person towards the full Recovery position - the back should be felt for damage, and blood stains and if none they can be left to come to while watching over them.

When the person is NOT breathing
Having checked the airways for obstructions, the nose is squeezed, and the mouth blown in twice.
Pressure is applied to the heart -( Halfway between the nipples)
Press down firmly 15 times with one hand above the other. (to the timing of Nellie the elephant)
This can be repeated i.e. 2 breaths, 15 presses, until the patient breathes.

So make sure you collapse in front of a local  Trained WI Member!!!

If you want to join in such a class, contact us and we can put you in touch with Frank.

SAFARI MARKET - 2013 - OUR FIFTH YEAR !.

 The day dawned grey, but could have been much worse weatherwise, and it did not stop our valued customers driving from all parts of Kent to get here.  

There were all kind of stalls

An Open Air affair with a million videos & DVD's and a very smiley faced seller

Secluded affairs where one could be discrete in ones purchases

Very 'Home and Garden' Affairs with Oast house, stream and accompanying ducks. 

One even with a notice attached to the house saying  'MAKE ME AN OFFER'  -  whether she was saving on House Agents, or just selling her unwanted treasure we didn't ask.

This ' Invitation to our Deck', was also publicised by streamers (out of picture)
 attached to the two poles in the front. 

Some even managed to squash into a gap between houses

Items on sale were many and varied, with a Dinner set worthy of Downton Abbey.

This buyer was obviously delighted with his Man of Wood a unique momento.

What I always wanted - an outdoor wheeled table/drinks trolley, plus an electronic musical machine

purchased and wheeled off  before I get could there!

Socks had been converted magically into all kinds of animals and were selling well.

Children has a fantastic collection  and at just the right height.

This year the Pavilion was selling everything at £1  - one person's trash was another person's  treasure.

Presided over by Joyce Walker as Chief  Saleswoman, with the assistance of her grandaughter.

Joyce had previously cooked and sold our hot food, and this year was the turn of Mary Henderson and her friends to provide this service. 

We also needed -'Tea Ladies' Rita, Sue, Hilary, Joy and general dogsbodies, Jane, Margaret, Val and Janice.- and our two man team of Gazebo erectors  Jim Henderson  (WI husband) and Moray Dennett who has no affiliation to the WI, but gives his time and we are so grateful. 

Our Tea and Hot food tent was popular, as were the Craft stall from Bearsted Green  WI
and the Cake stall from Leeds WI.

West Kent Federation Chairman Sheila Miles paid us a long promised visit with  her Husband

COMPETITION WINNER.

The object was to visit as many stalls as possible and note the name of the individual picture displayed at each site.   There were 6 people who got them all correct so a draw was necessary for the outright winner  who was ROBIN DEARLE OF HOLLLINGBOURNE. 

These 6 will receive a free map for next years Safari.

Satisfaction is what we aim to provide, and finally a picture of a very satisfied customer leaving one stall having just purchased his NEW BICYCLE from them.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

Has our hot summer finally gone?

Has our hot summer finally gone - well Probably - but Saturday 14th September is our Famous  Safari Market with 48 Garage sales around the village so lets hope for a decent day.

Let's remember the things we did together during this last couple of months.

A private visit to Chilham Castle where we had a guided tour through all of the house as well as the garden. This picture shows the beautiful Wisteria growing on the side of the house.   Chilham was the first place in the UK to plant a Wisteria, which is native to the Far East.  Also see the one chair that accompanied us, our guide provided it for one of our Members who preferred a little rest from time to time.

A motley crew, but looking happy outside Chilham Castle .

Sarah Cheetham again provided the venue for out summer picnic - this year was the one bad weather day and so we all ate inside.   Her mammoth  task of  rejuvinating the Oast will be over in the new year all being well. In or out it was a lovely time which we all enjoyed. .
 (This picture is from 2012 - just to remind us of last years good day)

A trip to Hadlow Agricultural College Garden Centre. - Broadview Garden Centre.  We wandered through 10 acres of Garden,  though the long hot summer had effected the ' beautifully maniured gardens' and they were not at their best. However we eventually found a beautiful Japanese `Garden which was worth it.  

Joyce and Rita taking it easy. 

We finally finished by purchasing some plants and had a cream tea  in the Tea Room which was delicious and particularly enjoyable when we discovered WI members had 10% discount!

.............................................

West Kent  WI's arranged a  Japanese traditional Folded patchwork workshop.  (Three workshops in fact, - Greenhithe, Pembury and Bredhurst. )
 Everything was provided  including instruction and we set to work.  The round fabric, and the two squares were the start , and with some ironing, pinning and stitching we ended up with one square. (Bottom left hand side)  There were 15 more to do.

Here are eight sewn together and the aim is to make a square of the 16, and then turn them into a bag, or cushion cover -  so if you see a bag, or 100 around Kent, you will know that they were made in a Village Hall, by WI members somewhere in West Kent.

Finally DANCE DANCE DANCE  - another West Kent event, staged in Hollingbourne but for the whole of the County.(no pictures sorry)
This was a fantastic event where we started with Zumba from Nichola - everyone joined in even those awaiting knee replacements - and proceeded to Belly Dance with Ann,  who gave the history and demonstrated things she could do but we could not!
There was also Folk Dancing, Line Dancing and in the afternoon Scottish dancing with  Kilts and tartans swirling around.   A wonderful day, and look out for Hollingbourne's own BELLY DANCE  evening in the 2014 programme.  It will be an open evening for all to enjoy.

Walking with Adriana Smith

Adriana and her husband are keen walkers, and have just returned from walking the Calderas in the Canary Islands.

When she joined the WI she suggested that our members might join her and her walking friends to really explore the footpaths in our local area.   Each month she has a walk planned and anyone who is interested can join her.  The walks are differing lengths and can be from 4 - 10 miles.  If you are interested contact us and we can put you in touch.  She describes her April to June walks here with a photo of Bluebells taken when the weather was cold and wet.

On the 18^th of April eight of us set off for Hucking Forest. We were expecting to see an array of bluebells, but unfortunately, due to the long winter, we found we were far too early and nothing was yet in bloom! However, we still enjoyed one of the last meals at the Hook and Hatchet before it stopped trading (Yet again!). A month later four of us set off again for Hucking Forest and this time we were not disappointed, the bluebells were out in all their glory, although more striking in the late evening light they were still stunning and some wonderful pictures were taken.

The May W.I. walk was a circular walk, starting and finishing at the Dirty Habit. The walk took us passed Allington Farm, up to Colyers Wents and passed Coopers Farm, then crossing the road just north of Hollingbourne Hill and on to Gotteridge. We then descended Drake’s Lane to pick up the Pilgrims Way again and then on to our final destination, The Dirty Habit, where a good lunch was had by everyone.

The June walk was also circular, however, this time we stopped for lunch at the Black Horse in Thurnham. The outward route was via the North Downs Way, briefly pausing at Thurnham Castle. This part of the walk had some spectacular views, but was not for the feint hearted as it was quite challenging with some steep inclines. Despite this we all managed to arrive at the pub safe and well and in surprisingly good condition! After lunch we returned to Hollingbourne along the much easier Pilgrims Way.

le Canard - Il fait mauvais temps - Hollingbourne Fete

Well, this year the rain it rained,  and the wind it blew!

However over 100 people Hooked a duck, and the winner Katie Millbrook  won this wonderful Cake

with the highest score of 97 for the three ducks she hooked. 

The cake was made by a member, and she may be willing to  take orders for similar creations 

(ring the WI number for contact)

We had advertised the Templeuve Twinning on our stand with the tricolour hanging at the rear.   The 60 strong French contingent seemed to enjoy themselves,  especially  the Mayor of Templeuve  who graced us with a kiss for Rita the President, and a donation of £3.70.  As she told us,  he said that the kiss was worth more,  but that it was all that was left in the kitty.

Maybe not the best day, but  our ducks enjoyed the weather, money was made for local causes and at least our Gazebo did not blow away. 

........"A Dancing Troupe"..... - 95 years of West Kent WI's

June was the anniversary of 95 years of the West Kent Federation of WI's

and a day long Celebration was held at Aylesford Priory near Maidstone and 8 of us were there with over 1000 members.There were demonstrations  of all aspects of modern WI life : We trialled various sports activities and took away instructions for knitting plastic bags, and atoms!

Each WI was encouraged to enter the  competitions and exhibitions with items prepared in advance.

One was a Pin Cushion. - Ours was was made by 

Sarah Cheetham - Neat, attractive and functional.

Then  there was a 'ScrappySam' to be made from any kind of recycled item.  Ours was made from a metal coat hanger, some plastic lids, very small fabric offcuts, stuffed with fruit nets and finished with 'hair' from a sheep found when his maker, Hilary Lucette was walking the Penine Way.  We called him 'Patriotic Pete'.

Our final Challenge was for a Scrapbook documenting how we had celebrated the 95 years within our own WI's.  We had to complete  ten different challenges each  involving 95 efforts.

i.e. Swim 95 lengths, make and sell 95 cup cakes (See previous Blog) , collect 95 recipes, Skip 95 times (See previous Blog)  - this was enjoyable and every member joined in.  One which was little effort,  involved each members contributing 95p towards the flower arrangement that our District (Northdowns) was preparing for the Priory.  The results were amazing and depicted Inspiring Women though the ages and two are shown below. 

 Edith Cavell 1865- 1915  More Humane Treatment of Prisoners of War

Dame Edith Smyth 1858 -1944 - Womans Suffrage. 

The whole event took a lot of organising and 6 of our Members volunteered to be Stewards on the Day thoroughly enjoying the interaction with so many other members from West Kent. 

Hollinbourne also volunteered to 'Do their Party Piece'

a singing and dancing version of SINGING IN THE RAIN. .

We thank Unity, of Ravenswood WI  who took these pictures.  She said she was newish to the WI and decided to watch as she had not seen  "a WI Dancing Troupe before".  Well that is not what we would call it, especially as two our members are awaiting leg surgery.   Maybe her husband's comment of " it was a very relaxed routine" is nearer the mark.

The whole day was a marvellous celebration of  all things WI - and not to be missed - we just wonder what they will think up for the Centenary celebration on 5 years time.

A SUNNY !!! afternoon on the Northdowns

30 Members of Northdowns District WI's  got together for a Craft afternooon ON the North Downs.

 We were at 'This Art of Mine' a local Art and Craft Centre for Adults and Children.  We chose a blank Pot/ vase/ teapot/ egg cup/ cruet / chicken/ pig - even a  Dr. Who Tardis  and decorated it with paint applied by brush, sponge, rubber stamp, pen, pencil etc.

 Kate  Blacker the Tutor  (on the left) gave individual tuition and tips to achieve a good result

Not only did we create a masterpiece, we ate strawberries and cream and drank Pimms.

Outside a pen full of Chickens, Ducks, Geese and Turkeys  crowed, quacked,  hooted and gobbled at us. The Really Smelly Flower Company also operates from the same site, and we checked on the field full of Peonies and Roses which had been growing (slowly) this year - There is a Flower Open day on 15th June and with the sun we have had this week, they should be a fantastic sight by then.
To find out more about this operation -
 www.thisartofmine.co.uk ;  Blacker and moore.com  - The really smelly flower company

OVERHEARD during the afternoon

Val (looking out of the window) "What a lovely spot"
Sue ( having been painting spots on her vase for an hour or so )-  "Which one"

We left our afternoon's work with Kate, Gemma and her other staff who glazed and  fired it.

A selection of work by Hollingbourne Members.