MAY 2025 NEWSLETTER
WI Meeting 8 May
The President was pleased to welcome visitors from neighbouring WIs
Lynsted with Teynham
Rodmersham Green
Bobbing
Faversham Gunpowder
Cherryhill
And the meeting’s speaker Bishop Rose, Bishop of Dover
H&S reminders
The President reminded members that nothing should obstruct pathways, that coats
should be hung up out of the way and that all fire exits – both inside and out of the hall
must be kept clear.
Speaker – Rose Hudson-Wilkin
Bishop Rose proved to be both an informative and interesting speaker who shared with
us her journey from growing up in Montego Bay, Jamaica to working under the auspices
of Westminster Abbey alongside the Speaker of the House of Commons. She described
the challenges she had faced along the way, as a woman of colour and how these had
shaped her into being the person she is today.
Her mantra has always been ‘Do not go where the path leads – go where there is no path
and become the leader!’
The members and our guests all agreed how excellent she had been and in conversation
afterwards she said how she would love to come back to continue her story and bring
her autobiography with her!
Resolution Meeting
● Constitution Review summary – changes have been made to ensure the WI is
ready for now and for the future. The President identified the changes to
membership, changes to subs, changes to committee membership, changes to
finance and the reasons behind them. The details of these changes can be viewed
– if you would like to do so, please talk to the President
● Vote to agree for or against – Big majority in favour.
● Resolution Vote on ‘Bystanders Can Be Lifesavers’. The President outlined the
main questions raised regarding this resolution and gave responses to appease
members' concerns. The President then asked the members questions on this
from the WI Quiz and talked through the specific wording of the resolution. A vote
for or against was taken and the members supported the resolution by a large
majority. No one voted against nor agreed to the delegate using her discretion.
A Marlowe Tour is proposed, depending on interest, for Fri September 5. £18 to
include tea and cake; for Members of the Marlowe the price is reduced to £13.50.
Start time 11:30am. Pl sign the list asap
Knit and natter morning at Di’s from 10:30 to 12:30 on 4 June to make poppies.
Lynne explained that we need more. We have 77 – need about 200. Di’s address is
available from the President
Update on dental resolution – the dental health survey showed a significant
gender gap. Women’s dental health was much worse than men’s .
MwFWI events as per email sent
● 14 May – coffee morning at Red Lion- 10:30
● 17 May – CPR training – MVH – 10:00-1:00
● 21 May – Art session – Oad St 7-9pm. £17.50 for members – few more needed if
poss
● 23 May – Visit to Shell Grotto and Margate caves. £4 each – £8 in total . Car shares
can be arranged; we will be leaving from MVH at 10am. Fish and chips on the
beach.
● 7 June – Litter pick has been cancelled due to lack of support
● 13 June – Lunch at Skills Centre – £15 for 3 courses. 1:00pm. Menu shared with
members. Please Contact Angela if interested. Monies will need to be paid upfront
and menu choices will need to be made in advance.
Menu choices:
Starters:- cheese souffle with oatcake for dipping / mushroom soup with garlic
croutons / chicken satay salad with cucumber, lime & chilli salad
Mains:- fillet of Seabass, fresh tagliatelle, charred leek, mussel sauce / duck
breast pan fried, peas French style with a duck leg confit, turned poached
potatoes, enriched stock / carrot and green bean tart, roasted hazelnuts, salad
garnish , lemon dressing
Desserts: – gypsy tart, whipped cream / fresh fruit salad, mint syrup / apple and
red fruit cobbler with a choice of ice cream or custard
● 22 June – Newnham Open Gardens. Meet at 2:00pm at Tudor Cottage, 25 The
Street at 2:00pm Car parking is available in the village at Sharsted Sportsfield and
tea and cakes are available at various venues. Members are welcome to bring
friends.
● 3 July – Garden Party at Wormshill VH with Blitz and Pieces – Food lists available
to be signed and you can bring your own drink if so wished, Car sharing will be
available if required
● Fri 6 June – Story about Bob Dylan – ‘A Complete Unknown’ at 7:30pm at The
Avenue Theatre.
● Fri 4 July – 7:30 at Avenue Theatre a film about Richard Burton called Mr Burton.
● Sat 30 August – Andre Rieu’s 2025 Maastricht Concert:Waltz the Night Away
8:00pm at The Light Cinema.
EK Events
● 28 May – Summer Garden Day at Canterbury College CT2 8QA – £16 – 9:30 for 10:00
● 16 September a Pimms and Cream tea to celebrate WI Day and 110 years of the WI
at Godmersham and Crundale Hall. Time to be confirmed.
● Environmental and Natural History Guild has organised a trip to The Museum of
Kent Life on 22 May. An all day event with an organised tour on the morning and a
session on ‘Owls’ in the afternoon. £8.50
National Events
● 4 June – Nat Fed AGM – meeting streamed to Alexander Centre – £10 -10:00am start
for delegates (and members who wish to attend). Meeting for all starts at 11:45am.
Very few tickets left
A0B
● Sophia’s Swap Table – rhubarb available at £1 a bunch
● WI raffle tickets are now available to buy
● WI bulb leaflet available
● Next month speaker = Helga the Florist – her creations will be raffled off at £5 per
ticket. NB No normal raffle at this meeting
● Thank you to the hostesses this month, Pat, Lesley & Lynne; next month Julie,
Kate and Wendy
Words by Claire Wood