ISTEAD RISE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

CONGRATULATIONS all round as our darts team, captained by Linda Wills, won the District Darts Final, our press re, Olive Reynolds won the District Press Cuttings award and Marian Driscoll won the District Pancake Race at Chalk. A good start for the year with plenty more to ply for!.

Our speaker at the February meeting was Janet Eavis who told us bout the long history of glass making when ancient Eqyptians began to make glass beads and tiny bottles and jars, through to the more sophisticated and elegant wine glasses and decorative bowls found in Italy, UK and America.

Janet brought some beautiful examples of Carnival Glass for members to admire in shimmering shades of bronze, green and amethyst. She ad-vised members to look in their lofts and cupboards in case they have any Carnival Glass tucked away as it used to be given as fairground prizes and is now surprisingly valuable.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, March 12 at 7.30pm in the Istead Rise Memorial Hall, Lewis Road, when Margaret Clift will be tempting us with Sweets and Chocolates'. For further details please contact Mrs Priscilla Herbert on 01474 832460.

DARTFORD ANTIQUARIAN & HISTORICAL SOCIETY

ON Friday, March 22, 2002 at 7.30pm there will be a Public Lecture by Edwin Trout, Librarian of the British Cement Association on the subject of The History of Cement Making in North West Kent.

It will take place in the Function Hall, Acacia Hall, High Street, Dartford. The cement industry affected the lives of thousands of people.

Many moved here and whole housing estates were built to accommodate them those who didn't work in the industry were widely affected by it in many ways, including the problems of cement dust. All this will be touched on in what should be a very interesting talk.

Tickets are £3.50 each and available by post (Enclose SAE and payment) from 14 Devonshire Avenue, Bullace Lane (Near Holy Trinity Church) telephone 01322 863007 for further information.

FAIRFIELD (DARTFORD) WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

MEMBERS were whisked away from a grey February night, to the colourful country of Nepal by Kev Reynolds and his slides.

Mr Reynolds runs trekkers tours, is a photographer and works for the BBC. He knows Nepal, its people, customs, religions and the different re-gions. His slides allowed us to discover a little about the people of this third world country, where the values are completely different from our world.

The slides showed bananas growing in the valleys, yaks, the rice paddies and the basic farming techniques.

Then we were looking at the mountains, including Everest of course. Kev told of a blind mountaineer friend, who was shown the mountains by two Sherpas. He then told us that his trekkers tours start from Kathmandu the capital. Transport is either by bus for three days or in some cases a small plane. The men and women Sherpas or porters carried everything needed, over the most primitive bridges. Through his slides and his talk, Kev's love and admiration for this small Asian country shone through for all to see.

This month Margaret Diplock, our Home Economics Representative had news of the craft and home economics days that the county hold. Our knit and natter group will by studying Calligraphy at a District Event and the drama group have a choice of two plays to read.

CRAYFORD WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

IN February members were given an insight into A year in the life of a Mayoress' by Mrs Sylvia Hart whose husband was Mayor of Gravesham in 1988. We were shown many slides including shots of the Mayor's parlour, a garden party and Buckingham Palace, and many others including pictures of the Mayor's Regalia the mace and ceremonial oar, which is part of the regalia for Gravesham only because of their connection with the river.

In their year in office, they raised large amounts of money for different charities. There are rules of dress for a Myoress including wearing tights at all times and a hat for any church service. They had their own chaplain for the year who helped to open meetings with a prayer and to help at functions. An efficient secretary and chauffeur were essential especially as 764 events were held in the year.

Indeed a very interesting, busy and tiring year, but what an experience. Mrs Hart was given a vote of thanks for her very enlightening talk.

A small workshop for painting on silk was held by member Mrs Barbara Yates. We were given a talk on method and materials, then allowed to have a go ourselves, a small piece of silk was provided on to which we painted an abstract design, which we were able to make into a small greeting card. A very enjoyable afternoon.

Our next meeting is on March 7 with a talk on Bletchley Park.

MEOPHAM & NURSTEAD WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

FAIR Trade fortnight is from March 4 - 17, a special promotion. But at any time look out for the Fir Trade symbol on times such as coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, bananas, snacks and biscuits. Items with this symbol are guaranteed to give the original producers and field workers a fair deal.

This was mentioned at our meeting on February 12. Illness prevented our speaker arriving and the committee had to put together an improptu programme on Shopping for Food. There were reminiscences of childhood and the weekly trip to the Co-op, loose (and broken) biscuits, blue sugar bags, butter-patting and the not very large brown paper parcel of basics to be pushed home in the pram or in some cases delivered. Vegetables of course, came from your own garden and bread and milk were delivered daily to your door.

We untangled a shopping list with items such as Rwiserbreats and Nooni Grins and racked our brains over adverts with the essential words cut out.

We laughed at a poem about dieting and then enjoyed our usual cup of tea, this time greatly enhanced by free samples most kindly donated by Waitrose.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday March 12 at 2pm at the Meopham Village Hall. Our speaker is Mrs Janet Eavis on Blue and White China. We hope to welcome more visitors and prospective members. For more information, telephone 813718.

NORTH WEST KENT FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

OUR February meeting was well attended. 109 members, two new members and eight visitors listened to an excellent talk by Cyril Baldwin who outlined the history of the livery companies in the city of London. An experienced researcher, writer and broadcaster, Cyril gave us an overview of the beginnings of livery companies to the present day. Members of a trade were a close knit community who had an infinity with the church. They supported each other and helped the widows and orphans of their own guilds. This practice is still in existence to the present day.

Dick Whittington was a member of the Weavers Livery Company and was indeed Lord Mayor of London three times. He was an ardent Royalist and very rich. The shaking of the right hand shows that you greet someone unarmed.

Our next meeting is on Saturday, March 2 and is the Dartford branch's AGM when we will be electing new committee members. This is followed by a talk given by John Vigar entitled Underground Kent.

All our monthly Dartford Branch meetings are held at the Dartford Grammar School for Girls, Shepherds Lane, Dartford from 10am to 12.30pm. if you would like to join our society telephone publicity officer Sheila Elisak on 01474 705989 or just come along to our meeting. We are not a lot of stuffy shirts! Our meetings are lively with members meeting friends and comparing the progress each has made researching their family connec-tions.

WILMINGTON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

At our meeting on Wednesday, February 13, we were entertained by Oliver Wooler, borough Archivist for Bexley, who gave us a talk about the history of Footscray Place with slide illustrations.

The Manor of Footscray was mentioned in the Doomsday Book and was owned for a time by the brother of William the Conqueror.

Other owners included Francis Walsingham, spy-master to Queen Elizabeth I and in more recent times, the Estate was the property of Lord Waring of furnishing fame.

During the war, the property was requisitioned by the Navy and rejoiced in the name HMS Worcester! At that time the lake was drained to con-fuse Hitler's Luftwaffe. This has far-reaching effects when a fire started in 1949 there was no local supply of water to put out the flames and it was burnt beyond repair. All that now remains are the stables and of course, the meadows which we can all enjoy.

Our next meeting will be in Wilmington Memorial Hall on March 13 at 7.30pm.

SOUTHFLEET WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

FIVE visitors came to our February meeting and heard a very interesting and amusing talk by Colin Breed about Royal Visits to Kent'. We greatly enjoyed the slides and stories behind them.

Our darts team were victorious again and have progressed to the next round, lets hope our quiz team are as successful.

Cards were presented to those whose birthdays fall before our next meeting (March 11) and our special congratulations and a bouquet were given to Jean Kilby who will be celebrating her 80th birthday.

We have a varied programme for our monthly meetings and many activities arranged in between them. Please join us on Monday, March 11 at Southfleet Village Hall 7 for 7.30pm and learn about Blue and White China'. For further details phone 01474 560210.

CRAYSIDE AMATUER VIDEO CLUB

DR Patrick Mckeown demonstrated to the Crayside Amateur Club at one of their regular fortnightly meetings on February 11, the art of trans-ferring transparency slides on to video tape.

By the clever use of the camcorder's zoom lens, and its ability to tilt (up and down movement) and pan (sideway's movement) the normally static picture slides gave the appearance of movement.

By having your holiday snaps on an easy accessible video tape, you are more likely to interest your friends.

the club is always looking for New Blood' and interested camcorder users could get plenty of information from Christine on 020 8289 9181.

LONGFIELD HILL WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

PLANS were discussed at the February meeting for our 72nd birthday lunch next month, when we will provide our own entertainment. Members were asked to search their attics for any 1950s items or souvenirs for a Golden Jubilee Table' and the wording was agreed for a quilled greeting card we are sending to the Queen, with our congratulations.

We are to be the hosts at this month's District Meeting in the Jubilee Hall, Longfield. As it will be a craft meeting, arrangements have been made for several members to demonstrate different crafts during the afternoon.

After tea, our speaker, Mr Tom Lawson, took us away from a chilly English afternoon to a very different climate. His talk and slides were about a visit to Kenya, through his work with Voluntary Service Overseas, when he was also able to photograph some of the wild animals there on a short safari.

One notice he saw caused some amusement: "Wild Animals are Dangerous"!!

CHALK EVENING WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

OUR February meeting was opened by President Madeline Welsh. It was with sadness that she informed us of the death of one our long standing members, Brenda Brown. She read a condolence card received from Istead Rise WI who knew Brenda very well. Chalk evening members made a collection for the British Heart Foundation in her memory.

Our speaker for the evening was Mr G Puddifoot who amused and entertained us with stories of his recent visit to Botswana. He then demon-strated the best method of getting more flowers from our Fuscias and Perlagoniums and preparing them for container planting.

This months birthday button holes were made by Eileen Keene and the table decoration by Madeline Welsh. The best bloom was won by Iris Lloyd.

Our next meeting is on March 6 when our speaker will be the Revd. Elizabeth Attaway whose talk will be - Behind the Scenes with "darling Buds of May".

JARA

A record attendance of 180 members meant that there was not an empty chair to be seen at the February meeting of the Joyden's Wood Active Retirement Association (JARA). As usual the first half of the meeting updated members on forthcoming trips, dances, walks and holidays. Then, after a welcome cuppa and a biscuit, Roger McLean, a Greenwich Tour Guide, gave a talk on interesting events that have occurred in and around Greenwich during the last 1000 years, and some of the personalities involved. Illustrated with colour slides and interspersed with amusing anec-dotes. The talk touched on many subjects including some of the churches, the Royal Naval College, the Queen's House and the shipyards.

References were also make to people as diverse as King Henry VIII, Tom Cribb the bare knuckle prize fighter and the sea captain who, despite returning to England having lost five of his six ships and hundreds of sailors, had managed to capture a fortune's worth of silver and was eventu-ally made First Sea Lord!

At the end of the meeting, John Sanderson, for JARA, thanked Mr McLean for a very enlightening talk which was well received by all those pre-sent.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5 when a talk will be given by a speaker from the National Trust.

LANGAFEL WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

OUR meeting opened with Mrs Lilian Smith who celebrated her 90th birthday last month, telling us about all her celebrations and thanking eve-ryone who had contributed to it all.

Mrs A May gave us a most interesting talk on her years as a members of first a Rural District Councillor then a Member of the Town of Dartford also how she became Lady Mayoress of Dartford and a detailed talk on her work with children who were fostered or in care, it was very fascinating to hear all what goes on behind the scenes.

Mrs Viv West, our President, also gave us the news that one our popular members was leaving us, Audrey Flanders has been a member for eight years and has also been on the committee, she will be greatly missed by all her friends and neighbours.

SIDCUP CHESS CLUB

WITH the approach of the end of the season, last Wednesday, Sidcup's third team played their last match in the Harvey Cup. Their opponents were Petts Wood and as the result could affect the final positions in the league, the match was a closely fought affair.

Sidcup emerged the winners by 3.5 to 1.5 points with one game unfinished. Petts Wood fought hard and it wasn't until the last few minutes of the match that the result was finalised. Erroll Campbell and Jack Hollands both won their games for Sidcup with Eddie Bromilow, Geoff Plume and Ken Grist returning draws. This win means that Sidcup are the Metropolitan Kent Harvery Cup Champions with the excellent statistics of Played five won four and drawn one.

Sidcup recently saw their sixth team ending their season with a fine win away to Beckenham & Bromley in the Intro Cup. Sidcup won by 3-1 and now having won five of their six games are the outright winners of the Intro Cup. Sidcup players winning their games were John Morris, Jeremy Bridge and Jim Appleton.

Sidcup Chess Club meets every Wednesday evening at Hurst Community Centre, Hurst Road, Sidcup commencing at 7.30pm. New members of all strengths are always welcome and Sidcup can offer Chess at all levels from beginner to expert. Interested players can either come down on a club night to try us out or contact the club secretary, Ian McAllan on 020 8302 5560.