Ascot Races and Michael Portillo - all in one week.

Ascot race course was the venue for 500 WI presidents recently - (actually 1000 as there were 2 days of 500 each)  This was just in the South of England, and other parts of the country were hosted in other top spots.

Hollingbourne's joint presidents Ria Moon and Val Williams went along and of course a major talking point was the food provided - Posh sandwiches.

The background of this picture has an advert for tote betting, so maybe they had a flutter, who knows?

 

 

The sign says 'do not sit on this statue'   - Rita  had just dismounted  luckily, and appears to be feeding it as a reward. for loyal service, and not being bucked off  (Apologies, when I manage to move this picture 90 degrees you will be able to see it properly)

The purpose of the day(s) was to review all aspects of managing our WI and spoke of new initiatives in IT training. They  were introduced to all the Board of Executives of the National Federation of Women's Institutes, and told of plans for the 100th Anniversary of WI in England. This is to be in 2015.
 (2015 is also the Anniversary of 90 years of WI in Hollingbourne.  Watch this space in the next 18 months, for our own celeb rations)

 

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A few days later West Kent Federation held it's AGM in Tunbridge Wells Assemby Rooms, and three of our members were there, including our delegate, Jean Talboys.   It gave us an update of affairs  financial and general in West Kent, with Hollingbourne being mentioned.   
The mental capacity of Val Williams and Rita Moon has gone up in our estimation as they won First and Runner up prizes in the Written Quiz that has been circulating for several months
The Gift Box that Hollingbourne donated was snapped up quickly for £10. It contained a Kit for a Japanese Patchwork cushion provided by Margaret Weaver. 
Our first speaker was Joy Kemp who gave a comprehensive background to Midwifery in Britain and abroad in support of our recent resoslution regarding the necessary increase in Midwives in this country.

Then finally Michael Portillo  -

A charming man, with who came resplendant in one of his famous coloured jackets.- and advised us that he had two new ones awaiting him at the tailors.   He told us of his career and  the workings of Westminster with some anecdotes of MP's. He was not afraid to answer difficult questions and

finally -

 

This is the picture you have been waiting for -

 

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A picture of MICHAEL PORTILLO'S leg.

 

Presumably the brown boot, slim trouser and  pink jacket.   The story goes that Hilary had chatted to him about childhood friends they had in common, but the platform was high and Hilary is short, and  the photographer made a boob!

 

We always have excellent speakers at these events and he was no exception.
 

LADIES WHO LUNCH - MARCH 2014 - THE SUGAR LOAVES.

Anew idea - a lunch once a month- starting in Hollingbourne Village 

to enjoy a friendly chat and some delicious food. 

At the same time continuing with our ' Save our High Streets  ' Campaign

14 of us descended on The Sugar Loaves and chose from a wide menu, some stuck to the Pensioners Menu, while others decided to go the whole hog with a choice from the Main menu 

 Ham egg and chips 

 Pavlova Dessert

Spotted Dick

The verdict - a great success.  Sparkling repartee  (maybe it was the alcohol that helped) 

and delicious food which was cooked especially for us, and  the chance to make a new member welcome and find out something about her life.  We shall be dining each month (the second Tuesday of the Month at 1 pm) and hope to visit The Dirty Habit in April - Why not join us?

Pancake Racing 2014

DONT FORGET TO CLICK ON EACH PHOTO FOR A LARGER PICTURE

Once more the handmade  Pancakes were ready

 The whole of Hollingbourne School,  Mums and Dads, Grannies and Grandad's, WI Members and friends were here for the races. 

 Mary Henderson started every race with instructions -" toss the pancake at each chair on the way"

Most of the children took no notice however and just ran as fast as they could.

Alan Williams collated the winners  on a scoreboard and  hereby apologises for any discrepancies and mis-spellings in the names - 

The first winner was Ryan Bibbins

Next Jack Bryce

 Ffin Koehler-Price

 speedy competitors and lots of onlookers. 

Freddy Wheadon

Hayden Bibbins

 The cheering was loud for these runners

Patric Johnson

 Traina Collins

Fintan Sherridan

 Jayden Lodge

 Pancakes in mid air

Amelia Rudzinski

 An energetic start to this race - looked like the Olympics

Imogen Sims

Hugo Chaussy pretending he wasn't really there

 Isaac Lee 

 Juliet de Banzie

 Mrs Tong was a winner for the first time

 The Men's race became a little confused

 Daddy Bibbins came out in front

 The School Cook Mrs Payne was a delighted winner

The Wi Race was won (once More) by a Lenham Member!

 The WI Ladies winner was from LENHAM!

 Val Williams ( in black)and Sadie Curtis (in Red and black)  were out to win this grudge race

 and at the line it was Val Williams who crossed first with a grin on her face. 

 Rita Moon looking on also smiled -after all,  it was only a Walking Race!

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, with refreshments available in the Pavilion 

Thanks to all the helpers ( who Made the Pancakes, held the winning ribbon, gave out and collected the pans, gave out the eggs, awarded the rosettes, made the tea, washed up,  cleaned the floor  etc.etc. )

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR. 

Front Row seats for the WI when Alan Titchmarsh recorded his show

Our Trip to The London Studios started with a meal in The Mulberry Bush Pub and a Wander along the Embankment before queuing to go in.   As one of us was partially sighted we were given front row seats and Alan Titchmarsh came along to chat with us - quite a bonus.   We saw two shows with the first going out on the day with live guests being Simon Mayo and Comedian Ed Burns.   

We also had First Aid tips, how to make Chicken broth as a cure for colds and flu (which has been proven) and three other guest had made a business out of their hobbies- Papier Mache animals, Lego figures and Old fashioned sweets (with a taster)

The second show was pre recorded for a later date. Frank Bruno being one guest  with the Olympic Curling Silver medalists bringing along their medals for us to see.

Not looking too happy here,  but full of smiles on our visit.  A stamp collector and an artist who made pictures out of stamps were next on the show,  and finally although all of us volunteered to have a make over,   someone else from the audience was chosen - that's  just the way it goes.

A good day with lots of surprises.