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.

Nothing to do on a morning in Maidstone? Try the Magistrates Court.

On 25th February, 11 of us gathered at the Magistrates Court 

at 9.30 am by prior arrangement. - 

NO! WE HAD NOT COMMITTED A CRIME.  

We had previously had a talk by a Probation Officer at our monthly meeting, and   we wanted to know more.   Two off duty magistrates met us and explained the workings of the Court. 

 Unfortunately no pictures allowed inside the court.  We were split into two groups and attended hearings in different courts. Magistrates give their  time voluntarily (at least 13 days a year)  and work for us - to make sure that the law is upheld and criminals, when brought before them are given a full hearing.  If found guilty they are punished either by a prison sentence, a period of community service,  a fine, or are referred to the Probation or other 'help' service who will it is hoped, help the guilty party to rehabilitate themselves and not  re-offend.   The case can also be handed over to the County Court (The other side of the River) for a later date.  We heard cases of non payment of Debt,  Family abuse, theft, affray - all different and fascinating.   In all the cases we heard the person pleaded Guilty which made proceeding relatively fast. Had a Not Guilty plea been  given it would have been very lengthy I am sure as witnesses would have been called. ,

Each case has a prosecutor, a defending barrister, The Clerk of the Court, three magistrates, and representatives of the Probation service or similar.   Anyone can go into the court any morning of the week. (after having been searched)  The Family court and juvenile courts do not allow this.
It was an eye opening morning, and everyone should spend at least one morning there to see how it is conducted.

Having worked hard absorbing everything that was going on around us we needed some lunch, and
moved on to County Hall, at the top of Week Street.  After signing in, we climbed the stairs to the Restaurant where hot and cold meal are served.  Rate payers are welcome any day, though if you are a group it is best to ring ahead with your order. Prices are moderate and there were no long queues.

The Restaurant is a lovely room, with high ceilings and moulding, and the staff were pleasant and helpful.  Do try it next time you are that end of Town.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Happy Christmas to you ! 

(whether you have arrived at this website by accident, or on purpose )

Two home made Christmas cards from our members

Made using a fairly modern technique - Stamping 

Made using the age old technique of  'Glueing and Sticking'

Our Christmas party had delicious food, friendly faces, a dance, and a game or two.

This picture looks like the incredibly boring game - 

STARE AT A BUCKET !

 However it was TABLE TENNIS BALL BINGO.  A lot of fun, each persons egg box had numbered table tennis balls inside.  The numbers were called bingo style and, and the lucky numbered ball was then bounced into the bucket. - or at least that was the idea - most balls had a mind of their own.  The winner was the person with the final ball remaining - and received a prize.

 These three look to the left in pensive mood

 To the right totally disinterested

 but finally a smile creeps on their faces. 

Do come along  to our meetings next year, 

we have lots of interesting speakers and 

will give you a warm welcome

7.30 Hollingbourne Village Hall. Third Tuesday of the month. 

Japanese patchwork craft - get together and learn.

Having learned how to make  Japanese folded patchwork,  at a West Kent Day School, 

 (see previous Blog)

It was time for Margaret to pass on the skill.

Seven members JANE, SUE, JEAN, MARY, RITA, HILARY AND VAL 

 spent a happy two hours,  cutting,  ironing and stitching.  

It is a good craft, one square can become a coaster,  a Christmas decoration or a Christmas Card,  

5 can become a square box, and  12 - 16 can become a cushion cover. 

 Each of the seven chose a different central fabric and these were the results.  

 Members went home with the fabric to create their own masterpiece.  - 

One among us suggested making a kingsize bed cover - 

I imagine this was idle chatter rather than a definite plan, but who knows - we shall see. 

FIRST AID

One of the WI's aims is to provide education/training for its members.

Today FRANK, provided First Aid Training to Preserve Life, Prevent the Condition Worsening and Promote Recovery.   - i.e. Initial assistance to a casualty for sudden illness. The most important point being to ring 999 or 112 for  paramedic.

 A Brief look at the heart and then on to  interesting facts. -

1.  After Heart attack and Stoke, Peanuts are the third most prominent Killer in the UK.
   they can get stuck in the throat and you choke, ( and those eaten from a bar saucer are probably full of germs)

2. For items stuck in the throat - administer
a) 5 back slaps  b) 5 abdominal Thrusts  at the base of the ribs, holding from behind.
do this up to three times and the 0bstruction should move.
c) If the person becomes unconscious don't worry,  they will stop coughing, and begin breathing

3. If you discover a person  unconscious . remember  D R A B C
a) D- Danger - have they been gassed, electrocuted etc - there may be danger to you (a helper)
   tap them with the back of your hand (you will not be electrocuted)to find out if they are conscious
b) R - Response - talk to them, are they replying?
c) A - Airways - Lift chin to move head back and clear airway. Is there an obstruction?
d) B -  Breathing?  Place hand flat on the stomach to see if it rises and falls.
e) C - Circulation

If a person is unconscious and breathing put them in the Recovery Position - Val is doing this by Placing the hand nearest to her on the floor above the head. Lifting the furthest knee. Placing the furthest hand beside the head on the nearest side.

 Then Val easily rolls the person towards the full Recovery position - the back should be felt for damage, and blood stains and if none they can be left to come to while watching over them.

When the person is NOT breathing
Having checked the airways for obstructions, the nose is squeezed, and the mouth blown in twice.
Pressure is applied to the heart -( Halfway between the nipples)
Press down firmly 15 times with one hand above the other. (to the timing of Nellie the elephant)
This can be repeated i.e. 2 breaths, 15 presses, until the patient breathes.

So make sure you collapse in front of a local  Trained WI Member!!!

If you want to join in such a class, contact us and we can put you in touch with Frank.

SAFARI MARKET - 2013 - OUR FIFTH YEAR !.

 The day dawned grey, but could have been much worse weatherwise, and it did not stop our valued customers driving from all parts of Kent to get here.  

There were all kind of stalls

An Open Air affair with a million videos & DVD's and a very smiley faced seller

Secluded affairs where one could be discrete in ones purchases

Very 'Home and Garden' Affairs with Oast house, stream and accompanying ducks. 

One even with a notice attached to the house saying  'MAKE ME AN OFFER'  -  whether she was saving on House Agents, or just selling her unwanted treasure we didn't ask.

This ' Invitation to our Deck', was also publicised by streamers (out of picture)
 attached to the two poles in the front. 

Some even managed to squash into a gap between houses

Items on sale were many and varied, with a Dinner set worthy of Downton Abbey.

This buyer was obviously delighted with his Man of Wood a unique momento.

What I always wanted - an outdoor wheeled table/drinks trolley, plus an electronic musical machine

purchased and wheeled off  before I get could there!

Socks had been converted magically into all kinds of animals and were selling well.

Children has a fantastic collection  and at just the right height.

This year the Pavilion was selling everything at £1  - one person's trash was another person's  treasure.

Presided over by Joyce Walker as Chief  Saleswoman, with the assistance of her grandaughter.

Joyce had previously cooked and sold our hot food, and this year was the turn of Mary Henderson and her friends to provide this service. 

We also needed -'Tea Ladies' Rita, Sue, Hilary, Joy and general dogsbodies, Jane, Margaret, Val and Janice.- and our two man team of Gazebo erectors  Jim Henderson  (WI husband) and Moray Dennett who has no affiliation to the WI, but gives his time and we are so grateful. 

Our Tea and Hot food tent was popular, as were the Craft stall from Bearsted Green  WI
and the Cake stall from Leeds WI.

West Kent Federation Chairman Sheila Miles paid us a long promised visit with  her Husband

COMPETITION WINNER.

The object was to visit as many stalls as possible and note the name of the individual picture displayed at each site.   There were 6 people who got them all correct so a draw was necessary for the outright winner  who was ROBIN DEARLE OF HOLLLINGBOURNE. 

These 6 will receive a free map for next years Safari.

Satisfaction is what we aim to provide, and finally a picture of a very satisfied customer leaving one stall having just purchased his NEW BICYCLE from them.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

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!

.............................................

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.