Urgent update
Due to lack of interest in seeing Kiss Me Kate and a considerable number of members expressing an interest in seeing Paddington, the decision was taken to cancel the former and find a date for Paddington instead. At present, it is on at The Lights until next Thursday (14th) which I can’t make so I have chosen the day before – Weds 13th November at 2:30pm This is a quick turnaround for which I apologise but please let me know asap if you would like to come and see this. The Lights tell us that:-
Paddington in Peru brings Paddington back home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family and Mrs Bird in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru.
Now – here’s a thing – they say …..Every teddy that joins us for Paddington in Peru will receive their very own Paddington inspired name tag*, serving as a reminder that every bear deserves love and adventure! Bring your cuddly friend along ( probably best to bring a stuffed toy) and give them a Paddinton-inspired keepsake they can wear with pride. After all, every bear deserves a little extra care. * Whilst stocks last!
Report to members
Speaker
Members who attended the October meeting heard a fascinating talk by Audrey White entitled ‘Hedgehogs’. Audrey’s talk was both amusing and informative and we learnt how her role as a hedgehog foster carer started in 2017 when she was responsible for 12 hedgehogs and that that number is now considerably greater and has taken over her shed and garage – alongside some rooms indoors. We were made aware of the harm done at this time of year with a lack of healthy (dry) foodstuffs. They resort to eating wet worms and slugs which are hosts to parasites which are killers to hedgehogs. So a plea was made if you have hedgehogs in your garden to leave out a shallow dish with water in it and some kitten food / biscuits. Hedgehogs do hibernate but mothers often abandon their young – left to care for themselves successfully or not – a natural habitat would be under dry leaves but you can buy hedgehog houses for them – pl keep them off the ground. We were then introduced to Brian The Hedgehog and informed that their eyesight is poor just enough to determine day or night. Numbers are decreasing at an alarming rate – from 30 million in the early 60s to now less than 1 million which puts them at risk of extinction. Audrey was thanked for her talk; her passion and enthusiasm were admirable.
Business Part of Meeting
The President welcomed members to the November meeting and also 2 visitors – Lyssa and Helen and 2 new members, Emma and Rosemary. She started the meeting with a number of reminders:-
- If possible, could members make a small donation to the collection pot on the entry table to help cover the cost of refreshments
- Could members please refrain from talking when others are addressing the meeting including the speaker so that all members can hear properly
Members should not allow any obstacles to be on the floor so that there are no trip hazards. Walking aids, coats and bags should either be hung up or pushed under a chair and no one should be in the kitchen except those allocated to do so on the night.
- The MCS which is a requirement of the WI needs to be kept up to date so if there are any changes to your personal information pl inform Barbara
- Reminder to check email for EK News
- Outlined that subs are divided between 3 groups – National, EK Fed and our WI
The Minutes of the last meeting were signed off as an accurate record.
The President reported on the outstandingly successful wine tasting evening amassing £377 to WI funds. Our thanks to Mike and Denise Gee for so generously hosting this.
The President and Barbara M had attended an audition day to hear perspective speakers – look out for exciting plans for next year
Details are in the forthcoming edition of WI Life about this year’s resolutions – on
- Managing Incontinence
- The Repair Revolution – to repair clothes rather than buy new ones. To note in support of this resolution BBC’s The Sewing Bee’ Patrick Grant is giving a talk on this at The Alexander Centre Faversham on Sunday 15 Dec at 7:00pm.
- Bystanders Can Be Lifesavers
- Recycling blister packs
A number of members have signed up for the NFWI’s National Lottery which has thus far raised £42k for good causes. Results will be published in WI Life
15 members enjoyed a Strictly Fitness afternoon on 31 Oct – fun whilst keeping healthy and some members have now enrolled for weekly sessions. Thank you to Julie Patching Ellis.
Thank you to all members who have donated socks and pants to an organisation supporting children who have fled abusive homes with their mothers. There will be a meeting at Heather House 21/11 10am to support the Community Sharewear event and take along socks and pants
Finally a thank you to the hostesses for this meeting – Barbara M, Jackie and Lynne.
Planned Meetings / Speakers
The WI’s 102nd Birthday Party is on 21st November starting at 7:00pm with a session by Cameo Opera first (so please be prompt) Outside hostesses will then provide an Italian meal ( lasagne, vegetable lasagne and garlic bread) and this will be followed by a 2nd session by Cameo.Please bring your own drinks. As outside caterers are being booked for this event, it is imperative that you have signed the list to say that you are coming to the birthday party, or food won’t be ordered for you. Hostesses for this evening, organising teas and coffees, are Helen, Sue Pennells and Val.
At the December meeting, Judy Knight will be speaking on the topic ‘ A Wartime Christmas’. There will be a collection of dental items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes to go to needy families locally and any good but unwanted bras to go to Elaine for women living in third world countries. Hostesses are Sue Porter, Di Radbourne and Pat Preece
Finally. heads up for January’s meeting – just in case you spot that ideal item – a fish and chip supper is planned with a challenge to wear something bought in a charity shop for less that £10.00. It can be something sensible that you could wear out and about or something silly – just a bit of fun whilst raising some money for the charity shops.
Dates for your diary including fundraising and trips
| Saturday
9 November |
Pottery painting in Faversham at 11:00am. £5 plus the cost of whatever you choose to paint. Places have been booked. |
| Sunday 10 November is Remembrance Sunday | Alison Black will be laying the wreath on Remembrance Sunday on behalf of the WI – at the war memorial in Milstead at 3:00 pm
Please support them if you are able to. |
| Friday 15 November – | A Craft Day at Chartham Village Hall from 10 am to 4 pm
The day costs £28 and there will be two sessions available Details from East Kent Fed |
| Saturday 16 November
|
Milstead Christmas Fair from 10am – noon. Please support it if possible. |
| Monday 18 November | Coffee Morning at Rodmersham Coffee Shop -11:00 pm. Please advise Claire if you would like to attend – text 07502 370550 or email bellawoods53@gmail.com
|
| Thursday
21 November |
Meeting at Heather House at 10am to support the Community Sharewear event and take along socks and pants
|
| Friday
29 November |
Celebration of Motown at The Mercure Hotel (Great Danes) Hollingbourne 10:15 – 3:00pm
Bookings now closed |
| Friday 29 / Saturday 30 November | Christmas Tree Festival at St Michael’s Sittingbourne – please pop in to support the event and to admire the WI Christmas tree on show. Thank you to Sophia for organising this. |
| Saturday 30 November | Milstead Horticultural Society are hosting a Christmas Wreath Making session from 2-4 pm. Places are available at £30 – all materials are supplied – although you may choose to bring extras. |
| Saturday
30 November |
WI are attending a Silent March through Canterbury to protest against VAWG (Violence Against Women) at 10.45am . |
| Friday, Saturday & Sunday
5th – 8th December |
Christmas Tree Festival at Tunstall Church – please pop in to support the event and to admire the WI Christmas tree on show. Thank you to Sophia for organising this. |
| Saturday
14 December |
WI Christmas Lunch at The Plough, Lewson Street – 1:00 pm. All who have signed the list have been given the menus to choose from |
Words by Claire Wood