20th July Meeting. 8.15 Village Hall

Have Fun with your voice,

Learn how it works,

and SING !

Jane Marshall trained at the London College of Music will lead a vibrant 'have a go' singing session for All Hollingbourne voices - Female and Male - so why not come along?

A Cake tasting session will follow. Visitors - £2 for a light hearted summer's evening.

RECYCLING TALK AND 'HANDS ON' CRAFT EVENING

In June our recycling talk from mbc environmental services gave us all the facts, and we now understand that though most things can be recycled, a balance has to be struck between the environmental benefit and the cost involved. The Pick up lorries have two or three different compartments, so although it may appear that different types of rubbish are put in the same lorry, it is definitely split. (we were assured of this)

Following the talk, members used recycled items to make models of a lady or gentleman from a past age, to take home for their windowsill/grandchild/or just for themselves. Even those who were reluctant to start became enthusiastic by the end. We had a lot of fun, and all learned the benefits of double sided sellotape!

A FEW OF US JOINED LEEDS WI. TRIP TO THE ROMNEY MARSH CHURCHES

St Peter and St Paul, Newchurch

E Nesbitt's Grave at St Mary The Virgin, St Mary in the Marsh


St Clement, New Romney

St George, IvyChurch

On a beautiful Summer's Day in June our coach took us to Brooklands village for early coffee and biscuits, followed by a first rate historical tour of the first two churches, then a lovely Pub lunch and two more churches before finishing with a WI tea served by the members of Brenzett WI. We were full of food, and historical facts, and went home very happy and exhilarated. Having visited 4 churches last year we hope to complete the set (14) next year.

Many of these churches are open for you to visit, especially in the summer. The secretary of the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust, Elizabeth Marshall will be pleased to help you on 01580 241529

WI MEETING 15th June 2010 7.30 pm.

RECYCLING
The talk at this meeting will be by Maidstone Borough Council Environmental Services
They will tell us about their modern methods of dealing with our rubbish and we can take the opportunity to ask them - ARE THEY DOING ENOUGH?

Following on we shall have a 'hands on' session - Craft for all - making something special out of nothing important- wait for pictures!

THE DISTRICT WALK FOR JUNE -
21st June from Leeds Church Car Park. 6.30 pm To Otham Green and Stoneacre -
4 Miles with a stop for a drink and a chat at the George Pub at the end.

HOLLINGBOURNE VILLAGE FETE 5th June 2010 Caribbean Carnival Theme

Margaret Weaver in CARIBBEAN Costume on the WI Stall
A float in the Carnival Procession

A Two Young Pirates of the Caribbean!
This year's fete was better and bigger than ever with Caribbean Sunshine all the way.

NFWI AGM CARDIFF ARENA 2 JUNE 2010

Each year the WI AGM is held in several venues through England and Wales. This year it was in Cardiff, and West Kent's members travelled in two buses. There were over 6000 members present most single members representing 3 or 4 Institutes, though some members were there as observers.

WE WERE TREATED TO A WHISTLESTOP TOUR OF CARDIFF

The Millenium Stadium for fans of Rugby

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING & THE WALES MILLENIUM CENTRE

CARDIFF BAY

A VIEWING OF THE ENTRIES FOR THE MAKOWER PATCHWORK CHALLENGE

There were some exciting patchwork wall hangings from this year's competition.

THE WI NATIONAL CHAIRMAN LED THE MEETING

Ruth Bond introduced herself to us,she is a very nice person - capable, hardworking and knowledgeable, but she seems to be 'one of us' and is not in any way a 'toff'
She told us that the Membership had risen to 207,000. with an increase of 18,641 in the last year.She said that the WI was an itch which would not go away - ENJOY IT.
We heard from the National Treasurer, with the good news that the VAT Office had refunded £1.4 million to the WI being part of the VAT on subscriptions over the last 37 years(with interest)

THE RESOLUTION. - This meeting urges HM Govenment to introduced Clear and Mandatory labelling of food with true country of origin.
The Institute moving this resolution said that this was a resolution about Truth or Lack of Truth. At present producers can legally mis-inform us, and this must be changed, so that where the animal originated was clearly marked,and Not the place it was last processed.After interesting comment from the floor, the voting was
6273 Institutes For,---55 Institutes against.and it was therefore carried, and the work necessary to present this to the Government will be carried out.
We were brought up to date on the progress of previous resolutions, current Campaigns and Denman College.

OUR EXTERNAL SPEAKERS WERE -

JOHN BERCOW - THE 157TH Speaker of the House of Commons, who spoke to us by Video Link. He told us 7 of his predecessors had been executed and one murdered and hoped he would fare better. We shall see!

AN INSPIRING MAN

TIM SMIT -
A Rock Musician, Founder of the Eden Project,and the Lost Gardens of Helligan. What a busy and interesting man. He is arranging the BIG LUNCH again this year and wants us all to join in.

AN INSPIRING WOMAN

GWEN PARRY JONES.
Believe it or not, she is the Station Director for Heysham Nuclear Power Station with a staff of 500. Among other things she told us that Nuclear Power and Wind Power both have the same carbon footprint!

ONLY MEN ALOUD ENTERTAINED US

We were lucky to hear and see this very popular Male Voice Choir from Wales and they brought the house down They sung a medley of English and Welsh songs, and several Tom Jones Numbers. They overran their allotted time, but there were no complaints - many members were calling for more. Finally we (including Only Men Aloud) sang Jerusalem, The National Anthem and Land of my fathers in Welsh) What a really good event -If YOU have the opportunity to go next year - TAKE IT! you will not be disappointed