BEXLEYHEATH & CRAYFORD WATERSIDE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

It was our turn this year to hosr the District Carol Service and as it is 90 years since the WI was first formed, we wanted to make it special'. By the comments we have received since, from those who attended it seems we succeeded in this aim.

Both the Mayor and his wife accepted our invitiations, unfortunately illness prevented them attending but Councillors Aileen and Brian Beckwith kindly deputised for them. We were also pleased to welcome Angela Robins (Deputy County Chairman), Elizabeth Patterson and Liz McDermont (WIAs) and Christine Denyer (Executive Council).

Mayplace Primary School Choir formed a Guard of Honour and sang and played some delightful numbers, an excellent flautist (Debra Williams) played and sang to us and also accompanied one of our members (Jackie Border) in songs and played the organ for the carols. Various readings were given by members ranging from traditional bible readings to amusing poems and short extracts from books.

The carol service was well supported by most WI's - in fact our large St Martin's Church, Barnehurst, was almost completely full. The well-known carols were sung lustily and refreshments afterwards were thoroughly enjoyed, most of which were Freetrafe, supplied by courtesy of the Co-operative Group.

A donation from the collection is being made to Demelza House Children's Hospice.

Mention must be made of how well our president (Janet Eavis) coped with the last minute absense of the Vicar due to his being taken ill.