JARA (JOYDENS WOOD ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION)

JARA had their first meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 8. Various notices were given out and forth coming outings were announced. These included a trip to the Body Shop, a night visit to the Tower of London, Bletchley Park, Lakeside for shopping and a supper at Harry Ramsdens, a trip to Holland, a Mystery tour and several others including dances - who said retirement was boring?

After the notices refreshments were served and at the end of the meeting, members were treated to a potted pantomime about Sleeping Beauty. The audience began laughing as soon as the fairies walked on. These were men and they cut a merry caper dressed in tutus with vests, coloured wigs, wellie boots and long johns. To add to the ensemble they had wands as which they waved about.

All the actors' were members of JARA and they has as much fun performing as the audience did watching. Afterwards they were treated to a glass of wine. Next month the speaker will be Roger Maclean who will give a talk on local characters from the past.

AUNTIE JEANNIES DRAMA GROUP

The children put on a good show in November. They did two performances and both were full. The children sang, danced, told jokes and acted in several short sketches. Twelve of the group have been rehearsing for the Swanley Players Pantomime, Dick Whittington. This will be performed at the Five Wents Hall, Swanley on Friday and Saturday 18 and 19 January and 25 and 26 January.

Without a break they will then begin rehearsing for their own forthcoming Spring Show which will be held at the Memorial Hall in Wilmington in May. They work very hard but have a lot of fun in the process. Anyone between the ages of 7 - 12 years old and would like to join the group can get further information by ringing Jean Radford on 01322 221056.

5TH NORTHFLEET SCOUT GROUP

On behalf of 5th Northfleet Scout Group I would like to thank all the customers, management and staff of the Safeway Store in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet for their generosity and voluntary contributions during our bag packing sessions leading up to Christmas.

A considerable sum of money was raised which will help Group funds and provide for the renewal of equipment throughout the coming year.

WILMINGTON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Osterberg is a familiar name to most of us today and Tony Hendry, a retired lecturer from the college, gave us an excellent talk about it.

Founded by a Swedish lady, Madame Bergman Osterberg in 1885, its aim was to provide a "Sound mind in a sound body". That this aim suc-ceeded can be seen in the achievements of some of the Old Girls. Ann Packer won Olympic Gold and Rachel Heyhoe-Flint captained Eng-land's Ladies cricket team. Mary Duggan was the first woman to score a century at Lords.

Not many of us were aware that Madame Bergman Osterberg invented both the Gymslip and the game of Netball and none of us was old enough to remember when swimming took place in the River Darenth although many of us have fond memories of the college pool!

Our next meeting is on February 13 when Oliver Wooller will talk to us about "The History of Foots Cray Place".