On Saturday 19th May High Halstow WI invited us to join them on a visit to Upnor Castle, near Rochester. It is a very interesting and historical place set high above the Medway River and was built in Elizabethan times. .
We followed it with Ploughman's Lunch in a local Pub during which a Bride and wedding party arrived at the castle. Closely followed by a second Bride and wedding party in a stretched 'Limo'..... Ten minutes later they realised that they were at the wrong castle and swiftly moved off to Rochester Castle the correct venue!
On Monday we went to Audley Mote House, in Mote Park Maidstone where we were shown around the Apartments they are marketing for the 'over 55's'. Very beautifully furnished with grand decor and leisure facilities - set in wonderful parkland - something to aspire to perhaps. We finished with afternoon Tea in the Bistro - we look as if we belong there, don't we!
Tuesday was our Annual Meeting, where we passed the Resolution on the support of our Local High Streets. A new Committee was then appointed followed by voting for a new President. Mary Henderson had decided to stand down from the committee and being President, and we shall really miss her as she has lots of good idea for interesting events. The New President (and again a joint presidency) - Rita Moon and Val Williams. - we wish them every success.
On a lighter note, it was time to complete the things we we doing to celebrate 95 years of WI in West Kent. We had chosen to achieve 95 SKIPS - the participants were -
VAL WILLIAMS - who adopted a concentrated and measured approach.
The others made light work of it and appeared to have been skipping all their lives
JANICE BUTLER without a care in the world
SARAH CHEETHAM serene and unflustered
RITA MOON light of foot
and MARY HENDERSON very dainty - who appeared to have borrowed Rita's shoes.
Well done to all of them!
Following these exertions we had light refreshment - Jean Talboys had made her famous shortbread and Rita Moon her Chocolate cake, Victoria Sponge and Gypsy Tart. Very tasty.
Finally on Wednesday, four of us had chosen to join a 'Personality Lunch'
arranged by West Kent WI in Rolvenden Village Hall - a Three course affair, with Jennifer Papadopolus speaking about her life in the WI, including a visit to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party during her time as County President. She was also a Magistrate for many years and regaled us with stories of the good and the bad she met during this time.
WI provides all sorts of experiences for its members - we don't all attend all of them - just those that appeal. (The trouble is that so many are appealing it is hard to choose)
