News

HAWKINGE ACRISE & PADDLESWORTH WI - NOVEMBER MEETING

After Jerusalem was sung, birthday greetings were accorded to Mesdames Sheppard, Seabrook, Readman and Palfreyman and ordinary business was dealt with, the ladies being reminded about the Group Carols taking place on Mon 4th December and the Christmas Lunch on Fri 8th Dec, with the monthly meeting being on Tues 5th Dec it will be a truly WI week!

Ah November! Fireworks, bonfires, Guy Fawkes trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament and this WI trying to get a committee together! Three committee members had decided not to stand again; Wendy Bell, Nora Cole and Daphne Sayer. I would like to thank them on behalf of the members for all the hard work they have given that has contributed to making our WI such a success. As we try to have a committee strength of ten, this gave rise to the need to find others willing to take their places. Alas, once again we have been unable to attract the full quota and start the year with nine: Christine Allard, Linda Barnes, Eileen Blythe, Daphne Hitchcock, Pamela Hoy, Hettie Quinn, Carole Seabrook, Christine Wethered and Barbara Whitehouse. And having served as president for three years I felt it was time to make way for “a new face at the front” and so an election for this position then took place. Carole Seabrook was duly elected and I am sure all the ladies wish her a happy and successful year. I am confident that the members will give her all the support they have afforded me in my time of office. It has been a pleasure serving you. My thanks for the beautiful bouquet of flowers that was presented to me.

The Treasurer presented The Financial Statement informing us that funds are in good shape, this being the case there were few questions and it was adopted unanimously. The Secretary then read The Annual Report; a review of the year’s activities. I am amazed at how much has been packed into this last year; we have enjoyed various outings together including St Paul’s Cathedral and a highly entertaining trip to a bakery; had dabble days in the Village Hall for calligraphy and box making; enjoyed a wonderful garden party in Nora Coles lovely garden, been entertained by some very good speakers and our own drama group; taken part in quizzes and competitions and survived two jumble sales; hosted two Group Events – a Carol Concert in St Luke’s and a Group Meeting (catering for over eighty ladies – phew!), well the list is almost endless. The Annual Report was also adopted unanimously. I do urge you to come along and participate in all these activities, meet new friends and broaden your horizons. Then a name was drawn from the drum for the Denman Bursary - awarded every three years – Daphne Hitchcock was the lucky winner. Carole Seabrook was named overall winner of the monthly competitions.

There were several brilliant entries for the November’s monthly competition for a “Potato Head” which was won by Janet Cripps – it was truly delightful, and a competition for Kent names was won by Joan Bassett. Just in case that wasn’t enough excitement for one afternoon the drama group performed a very amusing sketch – a shame that the “prop” had been left at home! – but I think the audience appreciated and enjoyed it.

Please join me in congratulating Carole Seabrook on her election to president and I would like to remind you all that, if you don’t know her now, you can meet her at our next meeting on Tuesday 5th December when Mrs West-Sherring will be showing us “The Ultimate Christmas Wreath”, the monthly competition is for a Gingerbread Man. We start promptly at 2pm in the Village Hall, aiming to finish by 4.15pm and would like to welcome any new comers. Please contact Christine Allard our Secretary on 863146 for further information. 
 
Linda Barnes