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!

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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.