News

Hawkinge, Acrise and Paddlesworth WI

Each year our Institute holds its Annual Meeting in November at which time the new committee and president is elected.

This year we were saved all the fuss and bother of an election as no new candidates came forward for selection and during the course of the meeting Carole Seabrook was voted in to serve a further year as president.

During her summary of the year Carole thanked all those on the committee for the sterling effort they have put in on the member’s behalf in order to make it a truly successful one.

If you are an ardent reader of this monthly report you may well remember mention of some of our activities and outings – if not let me refresh your memories:

A conducted tour of Canterbury, a trip on a Paddle Steamer and a visit to Westminster Abbey; wonderful speakers at eight of the monthly meetings; a garden party with a difference (held in the village hall due to inclement weather); welcoming our West Kent WI link, Shoreham, for lunch and to enjoy our August meeting; various fund raisers for the Stretch a Tenner Challenge including Coffee Mornings & Curry Lunches; involvement in the Hawkinge Fun Day when our “Name the Bunny” competition raised over fifty pounds which was split between the Royal British Legion and Macmillan Cancer relief – gosh, are you worn out yet?! No? Well read on.

Several ladies attended the two yearly Group Meetings; a marvellous “Federation Day” meeting in the Maison Dieu, Dover and Carole and Linda went to the AGM at the Albert Hall – phew!

So a huge thank you to Carole from all the WI ladies for her indefatigable effort on our behalf that makes our WI a really buzzing and successful club.

Of course we intend to do it all again next year – so why not come and enjoy it with us. Stretch a Tenner hasn’t finished yet and we are going to finish off with a super showing of a DVD of the Queen’s Wedding and Coronation Day. So get your names down for this wonderful opportunity to see these lovely occasions in the comfort of Hettie Quinn’s lounge – coffee and biscuits included in the entrance fee!

Each month you may have noted that there is a “Monthly Competition” at the meeting, (ranging from two home made scones to a favourite memento to a miniature maypole), and this year it was decided to honour the overall winner with a Challenge Cup to be held by that lady for the coming year. This will mark the sterling contribution of those who trouble to enter throughout the course of the year.

In its inaugural year the cup was won by Janet Cripps – well done Janet! Go on, if you enter all the competitions and win lots of times you may be taking it home in November 2008 – surely that is worth making the effort! Brenda Smith was the winner this month with a home made “Guy Fawkes” card.

After all the business, during social time with tea and biscuits, it was time to settle down to some serious quizzes (well perhaps not all that serious). Of course the birthday table was in full swing with Mesdames Bell, Seabrook, Sheppard and Palfreyman celebrating this month.

Next month we will be entertained by “The Bosworths”, a topical musical interlude that I’m sure will be hugely enjoyable. This will take place on Tuesday 5th December in the Village Hall, staring at 2pm.

Should you want any further information please don’t hesitate to contact the secretary on 01303 863146 as new members are most welcome.

Linda Barnes