VICTORIAN MUSIC HALL - THE CRITERION - AT BLUE TOWN SHEERNESS.

We took a short car trip up to the Isle of Sheppey this week, for a good old fashioned Musical Hall. 

Before we took our seats there was a very interesting Museum covering the history of 'Blue Town', and its links to the sea, and also the cradle of aviation in UK.

 Singers, dancers, comedians and a Master of Ceremonies-

Halftime -  a cream tea,  with Bone china cups and saucers.

Second half was just as good. The 5 members of the cast, plus a fantastic pianist Carol Anne Wells whom moved the whole thing along at great pace.   It is well worth trying to see one of the shows which run 22nd September 2015 - 29th October 2015, and 5 April 2016 to 12 March 2016

Criterion Victorian Music Hall -telephone 01795662981

Northdowns District afternoon to celebrate 100 years of WI in the UK

It seems that a good tea at any WI event is essential

and we were moving with the times 

- interesting and tasty filled wraps

A two tiered cake stand with a good choice of fairy cakes. -

Jean,  Penny and Jane enjoying the fare.

There was a welcome visit from Mary (Ex President of Stockbury WI, and ex County Chairman,) now living in Wales with her children's family. - and she was wearing a HAT as many others were.

There were two interesting quiz sheets, which Hollingbourne Members 

managed to complete (Oh, well nearly ).   Memorabilia, and a view of  the box pictures each institute had made earlier this year were on display. 

It was good to get together with members from the other 8 institutes in our District once again. 

- next time will be at the Carol service in December (doesn't time fly) 

Finally there was a cake,  and a drink of Brut Cava to toast the 100 years. 

2015 SAFARI MARKET - our 7th year.

It was a gloomy start to Saturday, but we were full of hope for a fine day. 

Jim and Derek had been working hard  putting  up the Gazebos for those on the field-

NOT WI members but Jim at least, is a WISH -  'WI Supportive Husband.' 

The £1 Pavilion was full of all kinds of bargains - including two sets of Golf Clubs!

Also there, the Hot Bacon and Sausage filled rolls filled the air with fantastic smells. and brought people in to sample them, with a nice cup of tea on the side. 

                            

Our cake stall provided delicious cakes to eat on site, and also large cakes to buy,

take home and eat in comfort.  

 It was publishing day for our New 90 year RECIPE BOOK  and many took the chance to discover lovely recipes and details of our history and  our members.  It is now available on a daily basis in Christopher's village shop £4 a copy - good for Christmas presents and a momentoe of Hollingbourne.

The Sun came out and it was soon on with the show, buyers were buzzing up and down the road

Three stalls in Tilefields.

Edna had a good selection of Jams, picked and chutneys to suit all tastes. 

Muskett Green, was a grassy spot with two stalls to enjoy.  It was good to see our old friends from previous years, enjoying the village and the day - and we hope to see them again next time.

Thanks to all our Members who did all the necessary jobs with a smile on their faces.

Centenary Follies = West Kent Federation celebrating 100 years of WI in Britain.

All WI's in West Kent were asked to  'do a turn' for this event held in the large hall at Ditton Kent. As usual Hollingbourne decided to put forward an 'Act'

Ably choreographed and coached over many months by our Mary Henderson - this was our team

plus of course many umbrellas  - and  our music was 'Singing in the Rain'

We practiced in the village hall, with a good line up

This is the finale.

Of course the actual event in Ditton saw us on the stage - and again - Don't we look good!

We were the opening Act.  - Umbrellas up- left and right

to the side, with a partner

Splashing in puddles

We all remembered the sequence of events - except Margaret's umbrella, which refused to close at 

a crucial moment. In the end she had to squash it closed with both hands, and kept it firmly under control in the closed position for the rest of the dance.

this was followed by sketches, poems, reminiscences,  etc ; LINE DANCING - Nashenden

The Swinging Sisters- Matfield - as you can see the bald heads were not WI Members, but WI husbands who had come along and really enjoyed the evening. 

Horsmonden -Four girls bright and beautiful looking for a Man-

One of these 4  very different 'girls' would appeal to any man surely?

At the end the  The Farleighs choir sang and we all joined in and sang Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory (coincidently it was the Last Night of the Proms) and we waved flags and the committee did a 'walk down' in a cross over pattern.

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING - 

this was the event of the night.  The Farleighs - 4 ample ladies dressed in colourful victorian swimming costumes entertained us with crawl, backstroke, legs in the air, (one nearly drowned) 

It was so good and so funny that unfortunately I forgot to take pictures.

However - trolling the Internet I came across the photo below of 3 WI Presidents who took part in a Dry Synchronised swimming event earlier this month of 100 ladies, to celebrate the 100 years of WI

Jag Picknett of Bingley, Fiz Pimperton of Saltaire and Sara Mogford of Baildon.

Now you know NOT ALL WI LADIES have passed retirement age!

see www.Thetelegraphandargus.co.uk  13632529 28.8.15

A FALLEN WOMAN

This is a post script to our earlier post of  'A Busy July' showing

Hollingbourne's naked Calendar Girl on display at Lullingstone Castle.

Having not been able to visit on the Special Day, I managed a visit around 4 weeks later.

It may not be apparent from the photograph but the post on which she was displayed had fallen to one side and she definately looked  'a fallen woman'  especially as the glue on the flower garlands had given way and rather more of her figure was on display than intended 

We had thought we would be the only ones using a naked lady, but not by any means -the one above showed two ladies, one on the left with rather big 'buns' and her companion sitting behind her was in full Victorian dress.

This was another two part design, the lady with the large sunflower was wearing only an apron,and her companion behind was again in demure dress - each with a picnic related to their age.

 This energetic member was no worse for wear in the 4 weeks, and looked ready for a jog.

 A happy WI Member

A flappy WI Member

 a School Mistress W I Member

and finally this rather lovely Suffragette WI Member.

There were so many more, and well worth the effort to make and to see. 

HOLLINGBOURNE WI - 90 YEAR COOK BOOK - NOW SELLING - £4 each

We are proud to present '90' our Cook book to celebrate 

90 years of WI in Hollingbourne.

A Full Colour publication with a recipe for each year of our  'reign'.  You will find delicious easy recipes for starters, main courses, vegetables, puddings, drinks, jams and pickles together with  a pictorial history of Hollingbourne WI and its members.

At  only £4 each , these will make great Christmas presents and momentoes of Hollingbourne.
Available at the Safari Market - Cardwell Pavilion on the  12th September, and later by contacting 01622 880497 or by email to hollingbournewi@hotmail.co.uk