BEXLEY WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

For the October meeting we were pleased to welcome for a return visit, Mr Chris McCooey, author and writer of articles for magazines and newspapers.

His talk was entitled Kent Heroes - brave, resourceful and true' and was both amusing and interesting.

A hero (or heroine) has greatness of soul' and he quoted Sue Ryder who helped a great many people in Europe as an example.

Some we had heard of, such as Hugh Dowding who was in charge of Britain's defences in world war two and Rebecca Stevens, the first women to climb Everst.

Others were not so well known, Daphne Pearson, the first woman to receive a George Cross and a Chihuahua awarded the Dicken Medal for bravery having saved his owners from a fire. Mr McCooey was thanked by Dot Bricher.

November bought our AGM when three more ladies joined our committee and a new president, Sylvia Linton, was elected, Brenda Simpson having retired after four years in office - well done Brenda.

Our thanks go to Kathleen Bhinda who stage managed the election and to Juliet Webb and Doreen Edwards who acted as tellers. The Denman Bursary was won by Dot Bricher and the local bursary by Jenny Hill, Dot also won a place in the Denman Draw to be drawn in March.

As we also celebrated our 20th birthday, we enjoyed a slice of beautifully decorated cake with our of tea.

A superb Christmas meal was had at Sussex Downs College, Eastbourne, where the students did us proud. Special mention must be made of the Christmas pudding!

Our Christmas dinner will be held on December 13 at St Mary's Church Hall.