The topic for the July meeting was A Postcard from Hayes.

Mr T Woodman illustrated his talk with slides of maps and views from bygone days, in and around Hayes Common where once cattle and sheep grazed and rangers looked after the area.

Wickham and Hayes Court are evidence of some of the manor houses which graced the locality but are now occupied for commercial purposes.

Although the ponds are no more, bumps in the ground which sectioned parcels of land are still evident. Gravel pit work was prevalent as were horse drawn-carts.

Commons were for recreation and to this day Morris Dancing, the May Queens Ceremony and an annual Countryside Day are still enjoyed.

Many troops were billeted in this area in World War II and a book was available which included local war time memories.

At the June meeting the fascination of Stamp Collecting was revealed to us by Jill White, who had pursued her interest from childhood. Collectors often follow a theme and she chose to concentrate on commemorative ones from 1966 with the World Cup edition.

She outlined the evolvement of stamps from the introduction of payment in advance by the originator of the penny stamp, Sir Rowland Hill, to the current frequency of changes in design.

Great Britain is the only nation which shows the head of its ruler without the name of their country.

Many sheets of stamps were passed round with some of her many albums.

Members were reminded of the £8-per-head Annual Sunday Summer Lunch at Keston on July 28, which is extended to family and friends. Reservations can still be made.

The next meeting will be held at 7.45pm on August 7, at Hayes Village Hall, Old Hayes, when Mrs M Campion will present a talk entitled Jupiters Children.

July 12, 2002 13:00