Poem

Hope you are all keeping well and safe

Thought you might like this poem that was sent to me

 

It was written in 1869 by Kathleen O'Meara - enjoy

And people stayed at home

And read books

And listened

And did exercises

And made art and played

And learned new ways of being

And stopped and listened 

More deeply

Someone meditated, someone prayed

Someone met their shadow

And people began to think differently

And people healed.

And in the absence of people who

Lived in ignorant ways

Dangerous, meaningless and heartless,

The earth also began to heal

And when the danger ended and 

People found themselves

They grieved for the dead

And made new choices

And dreamed of new visions

And created new ways of living

And completely healed the earth

Just as they were healed.

Next 2 months meetings

 The next 2 months meetings are;

17th March 2020
Macknade Fine Foods- Members 7.30
                                   -Talk and non members 8-8.15

21 April 2020
 Life Inside by John Mills( an ex-prison governor)
                                   -Members 7.30
                                   -Talk and non members 8-8.15

The Christine Rogers Darts Tournament

A really enjoyable evening was held at the Sugar Loaves to compete for a Darts Trophy in memory of Christine Rogers. She was the Hollingbourne Darts Team organiser until she sadly lost her battle with cancer last year. Many thanks to Janice for organising such a lovely evening and to all the supporters who came along.Thanks to everyone who contributed to the great buffet spread. All of Christine's family came along. The winner was Sue Roberts pictured above with Christine's children, Karen, Michael and Claire

Cockney Sing-A-Long Night

A great night was had by all at the Cockney Sing-A-Long  night. The pie and mash was enjoyed by all. Rita and Janice were clearly having a great time singing along to There'll always be an England.

Hollingbourne Pancake Race

The Pancake Race went really well. Just a short shower to start with and then the sun came out. Thanks to all the helpers who worked really well as a team. It was really good to have our West Kent Chairperson, Jane Backshall, handing out the pancakes, Patrik Garton on the finishing line and thanks to Shellina Prendergast for taking the photographs. A great write up in the KM as well.

The Hollingbourne WI’s 94th Anniversary

The 11th October 2019 was the 94th anniversary of the first Meeting of Hollingbourne WI. This historic meeting took place in The Institute which was in Eyhorne Street on the site now occupied by The Pavings (a three house development constructed in 1970) next to the old Methodist Chapel, now known as Chapel House.

To celebrate the annual occasion the WI met up in the fading light as near to the original site as possible for a photo shoot.

After the photographs everyone headed to Jean Talboys house for refreshments.

Annual WI Barn Dance in the Village Hall

John Sweeney was the caller

Our August outing to the Kenward Trust at Yalding

It was a lovely drive through the country on a warm sunny day. We sat outside with a coffee before seeing the alpacas and walking through the nearby wood.  We then went inside the house to enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea followed by a look through the charity shop for bargains!

A very pleasant afternoon spent with friends and lots of laughs.

WI News June 2019

At our May meeting we first of all discussed the two resolutions which the National Federation of WI’s would put forward to the Government. Sue Roberts guided our consideration of 'Don't Fear the Smear', which was passed unanimously. Hilary gave us an inspiring presentation for the call against the decline in local bus services. She cited the social and independence benefits of using our Number 13 Bus. Again, a unanimous vote which Jane D, as our delegate, took to the NFWI ACM at Bournemouth.

The annual elections for the committee saw Barbara and Sue returned as Joint Presidents (can be seen on the PC website at our stall at the fete). Janice, Mary and Jane O have stepped down, but will be on hand to help with all the projects in which they have previously been involved.

Six of us sang our hearts out with the Hazlitt Choir at the Proms in the Park on 25th May. Rumour has it - the best ever performance yet.

The North Downs District AGM was held in Leeds Village Hall. Eight WIs, and a new WI which has started at 'This Art of Mine' at Hucking, enjoyed hearing about other groups' events and speakers. We are very proud that Penny's flower arrangement, 'A Storm in a Teacup' won the competition. It came complete with lightening and rain!

And the winning continued with Best Dressed Stall at the Fete. Appropriately, given the weather, the 'Hook a Duck' game enjoyed great success. The winner's prize was another Penny special —a 'Hook a Duck' cake, complete with dabbling ducks and waterlilies. Our thanks to the Parish Council for not giving up with the weather.

Latest TV Appearance — you may have seen Mary, Janice, Jane O and me tasting tea on Channel 5's 'Shop Smart Save Money'. Yorkshire tea came out as the most popular, but my money always goes on Pluckley Tea, available at Christopher’s!

Never short of dining opportunities with Hollingbourne WI… Jane Deaves organised five members to enjoy the annual Stockbury WI Lunch with Rickwood's famous pies, salads and desserts, followed by some farm shop retail therapy. Sue W took the members to Spadework near Offham, a garden centre run by disabled staff, which also serves great lunches.

Our July meeting is for members only, when we will welcome 2 new members, recruited at the Fete. Was it that hat, Sue?

Diary note: Tuesday 17 September 'Working in Monet's Garden'

Val Williams
Secretary, Hollingbourne WI

A Midsummer Night's Picnic (In the Meadows)

A huge thank you to everyone involved in the WI picnic for making it such a brilliant evening. As usual the food was fantastic and even the weather was kind.

It was lovely walking to the WI Tree with Mixed Blessings joining in with Jerusalem, it was very moving.

Thanks to the Meadows Trust for all their hard work in setting up the Marquees, fire pit etc. 

Thanks to Andrew for his bird walks and thanks to the talented “Mixed Blessings” for a lovely end to the evening.

 Allan Smedley checks out the bar

Jane Deaves

 Penny Smith and Sue Woodhouse

Janice Butler

Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” for Jenny Cox (Far right)

Ben Williams (Meadows Trust Director) 

and 

Shellina Prendergast (Kent County Councillor)

The Speakers

Shaun Cardwell (Meadows Trust Director)

Barbara Gibbs

Jo Horton

Alan Williams

Keith Pockett

The WI Tree

 Singing Jerusalem around the WI's tree

Mixed Blessings

Medway River Cruise

Sue Woodhouse organised our trip on the Kentish Lady on Wednesday 12th June. Unfortunately, typical of this June, another rainy day! We enjoyed fish and chips and a cup of tea on board while travelling to East Farleigh through the locks. 

We just managed to get under the bridge, due to the high level of the river.  As we were not going to get under any further bridges the boat turned around and travelled back to Maidstone and along to Allington Lock.

Despite the weather it was a very enjoyable afternoon with good company and commentary from the Captain.  We saw Kingfishers, swans and their signets.

Thank you Sue for another lovely day out.

Jenny Cox, Jane Deaves and Penny Smith

 Just managed to get under East Farleigh bridge

 Val Williams, Janice Butler and Jill Wills braving the weather and sitting outside.

Hollingbourne W.I. At The 2019 Fete. “The Hook A Duck Stall”

 Busy decorating the stall.

 Our new Joint Presidents, Sue Roberts with her decorated 'Duck' hat!

 The actual Duck Hat.

The wonderful Duck cake presented to the highest scorer of the day and made by our Treasurer Penny Smith (note the duck, bottoms up!!). Despite the frequent downpours on the day we managed to break even with a small profit!!  The ducks didn't mind getting wet and we all got wet with them.

Tea Tasting Session for Channel 5

On 20th February 20 members of West Kent W.I.’s were invited to a Tea Tasting session to be filmed for Channel 5's "Shop Smart: Save Money" presented by Gaby Roslin and Alexis Conran.  Janice Butler, Val Williams, Jane Orgill and Mary Henderson represented Hollingbourne.

We were given the task of choosing between well-known brands and supermarket own brands, without knowing which ones we were tasting.  

The result was Tetley (4 votes) v Tesco Original (16 votes), Yorkshire Tea (14 votes) v Sainsbury Red Label (6 votes), PG Tips (10 votes) v Co-Op (10 votes).  It was filmed on Thursday 6th June.

Mary and Janice

Mary, Janice and Jane (with the West Kent President Annette Smith on the right)

Annual Quiz Night 2019

It was a very successful night with the Quiz Master Cat Brown who produced very different thought searching rounds.  There was a lovely atmosphere all evening especially in the Music Round when we all joined in together singing Que Sera Sera by Doris Day.  Lots of Raffle Prizes were won and we are looking forward to repeating it again next year.

 Some of the brilliant results from the Creative Round. Each table was given sheets of newspaper and selotape to create a Punch or Judy.

 Jim Nicholls from Culpeper wins as best Punch.

And the overall winners of the Quiz - Ian Harmer's table.