WI News December 2018

November 2018 was filled with so many worthwhile activities. Janice organised for a tableful of WI members to enjoy the ‘Only Remembered’ musical revue of 100 years ago. Thought provoking readings contrasted with the jolly songs of the day. Of course we loved the tributes to the suffragettes and the WI.

November 11th was a day to remember, with the service in the church and the poppy displays from so many village organisations. Then we walked down to the war memorial where poppy wreaths were laid.  The P100 project at The Meadows Trust was well documented in December’s magazine. We felt privileged to be asked to serve tea and cakes for the event where we met so many people. The lighting of the Beacon was memorable. We stayed until late to mull over the events of the day and watch the Beacon and the candles flickering in the dark.

The following evening we were on top form to beat The Farleighs in our second Darts Match, at The Sugar Loaves. However our next match, following a tortuous journey to Brenchley, was a close defeat.   We enjoyed afternoon tea with the team. Ian’s coaching is paying off because we start working out our finishing tactics much earlier in the game.

Saturday 17th was our Dance at the Village Hall. Mary organised for the excellent caller John Sweeney who had dancers on their feet from the start. It was so good to see such a range of ages all dancing and laughing together all night.   Karen, whose role is to encourage the faint hearted to join in, said how enthusiastic everybody was from the very beginning. No encouragement needed. We would like to thank all who came for making it such a friendly and fun evening. We do plan to run the event again, probably in October. 

The month rolled on with seven members taking a trip with Detling WI to the International Military Tattoo in Birmingham. ots of bands, displays, dogs, pipe bands  and the testosterone filled Gun Crews Competition between Army, Navy and Airforce.

The Meadows Trust AGM was truly inspiring as their plans for the future were rolled out. We can look forward to even more innovative ideas coming to fruition to enhance our lives in Hollingbourne.

Twenty members enjoyed the Christmas Broadway Show party at The Great Danes organised for us by Sue Woodhouse.   Four and a half hours of dancing, singing, dining and socialising in a very smart setting. We are proud to announce that Jane Orgill won the Best Dressed Broadway Character – she was a very convincing Cat with an extremely long tail.

We have collected greenery from around Hollingbourne and five of us spent an enjoyable afternoon making Christmas wreaths together.

We really enjoyed the School Christmas party with lots of cake and wonderful singing. We were met and greeted and waited on most courteously. Weren’t we lucky?

You are invited to join us for our January meeting at 8pm for 8.15pm, when Maureen Rainey from the Kent Wildlife Trust will help us to make our gardens friendly to birds with her talk ‘Wild About Birds’.

£3 on the door.   880433/382


Val Williams
Secretary Hollingbourne WI

West Kent Carols 2018

Nine members of Hollingbourne WI atttended All Saints Church in Maidstone for the West Kent Carols 2018.  We enjoyed several carols and readings plus being entertained by West Peckham Hand Bells.

Each WI was asked to make a wreath to hang at the end of the pews and Rosemary Pollock kindly made the beautiful Hollingbourne one (Pictured below).

Hollingbourne 2018 Christmas Party

Hollingbourne WI held their Christmas Party on Tuesday 11th December in their Village Hall.

Twenty five members attended and twenty seven guests.  The guests included members of other WIs, Ethel Hunt Executive Officer Jane Backshall and her husband, gentlemen in Hollingbourne who come to our aid when we need some muscles! our local Vicar and his wife, past members plus a few husbands who were allowed out on best behaviour.

 
The evening started with a delicious hot meal of either Edna's famous steak and kidney pudding, chicken casserole or fish pie, plus vegetables.  This was followed by a choice of several puddings.  Many thanks to our members for all the cooking.

A couple of husbands, Meadow Trust men and the Vicar were then frog marched into the kitchen to do all the washing up (bless them).

We were entertained by 'Mixed Blessings' (Click here for short video) who are a group of approximately 30 local singers who sang a selection of Christmas songs acappella, finishing with carols that we joined in with, which put us all in the wonderful Christmas spirit.

One person on each table was lucky enough to take home the beautiful table decoration created by our very clever flower arranger Penny Smith.  Each member and guest were given a present of a 100 years centenary WI pen.

Hollingbourne would like to wish all our WI friends in Kent a very Happy New Year and look forward to meeting up with you during 2019.

Report by Mary Henderson

Great Danes Christmas party

Our Christmas party at the Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne. This year the dress theme was “movies”.

 Guess who? Jane won the best dressed. Well done.