Clubs

The June meeting of Fairfield (Dartford) WI, is the members meeting, when the committee take a well earned rest. This year we held a Silent Auction, where members made written bids for numerous items. When the bell rang, bidding stopped, allowing members to try for home made cakes, books, videos, decorative items and toiletries. The end of the auction proved rather expensive for some members, who had bid the highest amount on several items. After the business matters were dealt with, members enjoyed a delicious buffet.

Members then listened to memories of the Coronation, and other Royal Events. Madeline West and her friend watched the Royal Fireworks and Beacon lighting, outside Buckingham Palace on Jubilee Monday.

Another member had been to a Royal Garden Party, yet someone else had met the Duke of Edinburgh. A family souvenir of Queen Mary with he uncle, was the proud possession of a fourth member.

We had our own celebrations this month, with Edna Jones and her husband John's Golden Wedding Anniversary. Joyce Rose has celebrated 25 years with the Hospital Radio and was presented with a certificate for 25 long years of service and a bouquet by the president of the Hospital Broadcast Association.

We are holding a beetle drive next month.

CRAYFORD WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

On a sunny day in June members enjoyed a coach trip to Arundel, a pretty little town with a fine castle and cathedral with nice riverside walks. Having spent 2 hours there we then went on to Worthing where the local WI supplied us with a very substantial cream tea and a very warm welcome.

The speaker for our June meeting was Mr H Brierly - with his dog Ted on Hearing Dogs for the Deaf'. This organisation was started in The Year of the Disabled' 20 years ago. The patron is Princess Anne. One in six people over 60 years have hearing aids. The deaf can be regis-tered as are the blind, and can be supplied with many different aids and equipment at a small cost. There are 7 million people in the country with hearing deficiencies, 267000 being in Kent. When a deaf person applies for a dog they have to be assessed and a dog chosen specifically for them to fit their needs. Training takes about 20 weeks and mostly rescued dogs are used, they have to be fun loving, have a big heart and the need to please. They have an animal hospital that the dogs go to to get them fit and ready to work. sadly, the waiting time for a dog is up to two years. Mrs B Cork gave the vote of thanks for a very interesting talk.

The Out & About' paid a visit to the Tower Bridge Experience. This was enjoyed very much and specially the stunning views of London that one can see from the top level.

NORTHFLEET, SWANSCOMBE & GREENHITHE LIONS CLUB

Northfleet, Swanscombe and Greenhithe Lions Club held their President change over din-ner at the Gravesend Masonic Hall on Wednesday, June 26. 36 members and guests attended.

The out-going president, Lion Mike Parker, who has served two consecutive years, compli-mented the club members on their achievements to help the local community during his term of office, which included, raising money for the Lions Hospice at Northfleet with various charitable events which included street collections and collection at Safeways Supermarket during the Christmas period, which happened last year to be the best ever.

Taking children form Chernobyl on a day trip to Dymchurch and providing free refresh-ments and entertainment at Hopehill - Meopham for the disabled.

The incoming president, Lion Roy Carter, very much hopes to continue the success the club has had during the past years.

BICKLEY EVENING TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD

Our June meeting was a special occasion - the celebration of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee. It was also very happy and great fun.

Members were invited to bring Royal Souvenirs - and what a selection we had. There was an 1897 Queen Victoria's Jubilee plate, newspaper cuttings, magazines and books on the Queen's wedding. The king's funeral, the coronation right up to the present. There was a display of china, glass and other items on events during the 50 golden years, including the coronation coach and horses and sets of postage stamps showing the queen.

No speaker, but an entertaining Royal Quiz set by the secretary, followed by wine and the loyal toast and a buffet.

The guild meets each month in the Barnard Room, St Augustine's Church, Southborough Lane on the third Wednesday at 8pm. New members welcomed- for further information please telephone Mrs McIntosh on 020 8464 1483.

BLACKFEN WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

we at the Blackfen WI will be celebrating our 4th birthday on Thursday July 11, 2002. A very enjoyable afternoon is planned, which will include entertainment and a shortbread competi-tion.

There will also be a sales table and a raffle. We meet on the second Thursday of every month at The Church of the Good Shepherd, Blackfen Road. The meetings commence at 1.45pm and usually finish at 3.45pm and our door is always open to new members and visitors.

We are also having our annual Table Top Sale on Saturday, July 20,2002 commencing at 10.30am.

BEXLEYHEATH & CRAYFORD WATERSIDE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Our meeting this month was a double celebration meal. It was our Institute's birthday and the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Almost every member was there and the hall and tables were decorated with flags and the colours red, white and blue. It was a super meal.

We wished ourselves' a Happy Birthday and drank a loyal toast to Her Majesty the Queen, a most enjoyable evening.

At our next meeting Toni Mounts talk is to be The Medieval Housewife'. We meet on the 4th Monday evening of each month at Bexleyheath and District Scout Centre in Mayplace Road West, Bexleyheath. Contact 020 8304 9055.

ROTARY CLUB OF BEXLEY

Another Rotary year has passed by, and at the regular weekly meeting of the Bexley Club on Monday, retiring president Brian Hellman installed his successor Jim Belton into the presi-dent's chair.

Outgoing president Brian thanked all the club members for all their efforts and support over the past twelve months.

Incoming president Jim is a retired bank manager from Bexley and, somewhat unusually for the Bexley Club is taking office for the second time, having served as president in 1983/4.

Upon taking the chair president Jim stated that he felt sure that he could rely on the con-tinued support of the membership and that everyone would have an enjoyable year under his leadership, whilst continuing to pursue the aims and objects of Rotary.

CHALK EVENING WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Our vice president Jean Young who welcomed members and guests, opened the July meet-ing. She thanked Beryl Tester and Jean Palmer for making the shortbread and scones, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended our Strawberry Tea on June 20. Thanks were ex-tended to Jackie Simmons and Brenda Luxton who organised the very successful district out-ing to the London Eye and Thames Cruise.

Dawn Lambert was the speaker for the evening. She had us rolling in the aisles as she de-scribed her addiction to Charity Shops and the many interesting purchases she has made. She collects animal skin handbags, silk scarves, purses and umbrellas and the stories which ac-companied the purchase of these items were hilarious.

Jeanne Taylor, our delegate from Shorne WI visited this evening to explain the voting on the resolutions, and the decisions taken at the AGM held in Brighton.

Jean Young won the crown competition. This will be entered at the WI stand at the Kent County Show in Detling. Birthday button holes were made by Betty Johnson, the table deco-ration by Sylvia Shepherd and the best bloom was won by June Heard.

Our next craft afternoon will be July 23, and the next meeting on August 7 when our speaker will be Karen Freitt who will talk about the Lions Hospice.

NORTHFLEET, PERRY STREET WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

This months meeting celebrated our Birthday, so business affairs were kept to a minimum and covered speedily before the jollifications began. Warm letters of thanks were received from our twinned' WI who had shared our Jubilee Meeting and plans were outlined for an Autumn meeting at Whitstable.

Members were then entertained by the beautiful voice of singer Debbie Spice who gave a re-cital of songs from West End shows. She persuaded many members to participate in her pro-gramme which provoked much fun. All were then rewarded with a welcome Birthday' tea served by our President and helpers. This year's Royally' decorated cake, in, of course jubilee colours, was cut and served.

The afternoon ended with puzzles and a talk of Autumn plans and further activities for members to enjoy.

Visitors will always receive a warm welcome.

ST MICHAEL'S WIVES CLUB

St Michael's Wives Club celebrated their annual May Disco with a Golden Jubilee theme. All members were asked to come along as Queens'.

Creativity knew no bounds as queens of all varieties attended, from Anne Boleyn through to Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades to present day Royal Family and anything in between.

Much flag waving went on and a commemorative mug was given as a momento. A fun even-ing was had by all.

the winner of the fancy dress was our Treasurer, Jenny Heighington, as Queen Bee' - look-ing remarkably like the real thing! Jenny has been the backbone of the club for many years and it is fitting that she now holds the title of Queen Bee'.

ROWHILL WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

As we arrived at Leeds Castle for our June outing/Golden Jubilee celebration, we were greeted by the court jester' and two fire eaters!!

This set the scene admirably for our Mediaeval Meal and what an evening lay before us. The jester kept us laughing from beginning to end with his humorous banter while juggling with lit torches and sharp knives and performing magic tricks.

His fellow fire eaters transformed wonderfully into gallant knights and were joined by a handsome lord and his lady. Sword fights over the lady, were brilliantly performed and she was duly won' in style.

The highlights were one of the knights laying on a bed of nails, firstly alone, then a concrete slab was laid on his stomach with one of our members standing on it. The final act being two concrete slabs broken to pieces on his stomach with a huge mallet.

He showed his poor back off with pride, then the jester proceeded with some magic tricks culminating in a very realistic cutting off of his hand, so realistic some members found it hard to watch - absolutely fantastic.

The food and service were first class, with a very friendly and warm atmosphere and every-one joining in the fun.

Pam Blatchford and Sylvia Firman co-operated wholeheartedly when called on to help by the jester - the queen would have been proud of her fellow WI members.

A truly fitting evening for our celebrations - many thanks yet again to Gill and Eileen.

Why not join this happy and fun loving WI at our July meeting at St Peter's, Hextable at 7.30pm.

ROTARY CLUB OF CRAYFORD

"Sow the Seeds of Love" is the theme of the next year in the Rotary movement, and mem-bers of the Crayford Club have been encouraged to adopt the message by Alan Trudgill whose year as Crayford President is about to begin.

Thanking last year's president Roy Knight, Alan reflected on the club's success in having made donations to Bexley Alzgeimers Group, Bexley Parkinson's Disease Society, Crayford Disables Club, 1st Crayford Scouts, 4th Barnehurst Scouts, Bexley & Greenwich Hospice as well as many other local and international charities. In addition we organised a Christmas party for local elderly and disabled folk, as well as filling over 30 shoe boxes full of toys for the East European Christmas Appeal.

A new venture this year for Crayford Rotary Club was to finance four local teenagers on a Youth Leadership Course at HMS Arethusa in Chatham. The professional run residential weekend course gives both practical tuition and theory in using the Tools of leadership'.

Crayford Rotary Club would like to thank the people of Crayford for their support in ena-bling us to raise money to carry our such projects. for further information regarding Crayford Rotary Club, please contact Secretary Graham Magness on 0208 303 5661.

CHALK AFTERNOON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Our June meeting began with a tribute to our President Peggy Brice, who died suddenly at the beginning of this month.

the subject of our talk this session was Hearing Problems given by Mr Coomber of Hi Kent which has three resource centres in Kent, one being at the Audiology unit at Medway Hospi-tal. Hi Kent is a charity which gives free advice and information on most aspects of hearing loss and Tinnitus. The speaker himself wore two hearing aids so we knew he thoroughly un-derstood the problems. We were told about the types of deafness, the effects of deafness on the person and their family and friends, NHS versus private hearing aids, helpful equipment and how everyone can help.

we learned a great deal and realised that one had to keep an open mind on how to deal with hearing problems and not to be influenced by the experience of others, because everyone is different.

SWANLEY ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

Although this report is mainly concerned with June events we have an outstanding item from the last day of May. On that day we visited the Sussex Downs College, Eastbourne, to have lunch in the Kings Restaurant. The meal had been prepared and cooked then served by the students. Our overall opinion - a very good meal - the future of the students is assured.

We joined in the national celebrations of the Queen's Golden Jubilee, and on June 5 a party of members went to the palace of Westminster to meet our MP Michael Fallon, have a tour of the Houses of Parliament and take tea on the terrace. The Houses of Lords and the Commons were in recess for the Jubilee so we were able to see round without too many problems.

On Saturday June 15, we went to the Royal Festival Hall, London for a semi-staged perform-ance of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel'. The concert was one of the series given by the BBC Concert Orchestra and was conducted by David Charles Abell. A most en-joyable evening indeed.

Tuesday June 18 was our monthly meeting - it was our AGM and it was sad that Yvonne Pile had decided that after four years as Chair she would step down. She has been succeeded by Jack Gilbert and with the new committee, including Yvonne, elected we are looking forward with great optimism to another good year. a presentation of a floral arrangement was made to Yvonne in recognition of the work she had done during the four years she has been at the helm.

Another presentation was made to two members of the association - Jessie and Jim Jones who had celebrated the Golden Wedding Anniversary on June 14. The afternoon was made complete with a Musical Quiz by Anne Moore.

Our keep fit, ten pin bowling and walking programme continues with the usual energy be-ing shown by all who take part.

July 8, 2002 10:30