“Life’s little difficulties” is the intriguing title of the talk that Esther Carpenter is to give at the next meeting. This will be held in the recreation ground pavilion at 7.30pm on Monday, June 13 when visitors will be very welcome.

Walking is also on the programme this month.

On June 20 Blue Badge guide Bronwen Mills will take members and friends on another of her town tours, this time exploring Leatherhead and setting out from the Thorndyke theatre at 7.30pm. Other walks will be less formal as members follow local footpaths clocking up more miles to mark the 90th anniversary of the National Federation of WI.

Ann Clinch

June 2005

We are mortified. We have heard that someone came along to one of our meetings for the first time and no one spoke to her. If this is so, we really are very sorry. We just cannot think how it happened but will certainly see that such a thing cannot be said in future and would like to apologise to that visitor in person.

She or anyone else who might consider coming along to our guest night on January 10th can rest assured that they will not be ignored. Neither will they be coerced into joining. Instead they will be given an idea of what WI is all about and made very welcome.

The meeting will be held in the recreation ground pavilion starting at 7.30pm when Stephen Rigby will give a talk entitled "Hypnotherapy - What's all the fuss about?" Hope to see you then.

Ann Clinch

July 2004

There's a change to the published programme for our meeting in the recreation ground pavilion at 7.30pm on Monday, July 12. Our speaker on support dogs is unable to be with us and instead Ken Kendall will show his film of Brockham's golden jubilee celebrations.

We shall be serving teas on the green on Sunday, July 25 and the following evening Blue Badge guide Bronwen Mills will lead us on another of her local tours. This one is "Historic Hostelries of Dorking". It begins at the entrance to St Martin's Walk at 7.30pm on July 26. The cost is £3 a head, numbers are limited and members are advised to book with Ann Clinch or Sheilagh Bent as soon as possible.

Ann Clinch

July 2004

Summer Days in East Clandon

You don't have to be a WI member to enjoy the "Summer Days in East Clandon" organised by Surrey WI. This two day event - June 15 and 16, 10.30am to 4.30pm - is open to all. The village of East Clandon, near Guildford, will be the venue for a church flower festival, open garden and sale of WI craftwork. Lunches, teas and even a Pimms bar, will also be available. Brockham members are contributing and will also be going along to enjoy the occasion.

Members with any foreign coins they no longer need should bring them along to the meeting in the recreation ground pavilion at 7.30pm on June 14 when the speaker will be Delia Petty. Mrs Petty is the Surrey federation's link with Associated Country Women of the World, an organisation that does much to improve the lives of rural women, and especially those in Third World countries. Collecting foreign coins is one of ACWW's many fundraising opportunities. Our competitions are another. A posy in a tea cup is the competition at the June meeting.

An evening amble is also planned. This starts from the Green at 7pm on Wed, June 23, has two routes - one easier than the other - but all walkers should end up at the same pub...

Ann Clinch

June 2004

GMO Crops

Genetically modified crops will be among the subjects under discussion at our May meeting which will be held in the recreation ground pavilion on Monday, May 10, starting at 7.30pm. This the time when all W.I.s across the country get a chance to discuss the motions to be put before the national meeting in June and to give directions to their representatives.

It should be a thought provoking evening, but some light-hearted activity is also planned. Our competition is entitled "My memorable day" and can be expressed in any medium - even a short speech.

We shall also be taking bookings for forthcoming activities - principally the Leith Hill Group outing to Arundel on Wednesday, June 9, during the Corpus Christi celebrations when a carpet of flowers is laid through the cathedral.

The cost is £13 to include a guided walking tour in the town. Any non-members who might like to come along should ring Ann Clinch.

Echo for Ladies wins Senior Trophy at Village Concert

Brockham's All Village Concert has struck gold. Generations of villagers have taken part in this annual event which this year celebrated its golden jubilee. The village hall was packed two nights running for an evening of music, drama and dance linked by master of ceremonies Simon Budd's own brand of comedy and conjuring.

The concert is the main fund-raising event for Brockham's Good Companions, a small band of people who do so much to brighten the lives of sick and elderly villagers, and Vi Packham, who leads the group, has either staged managed or produced all 50 concerts.

Local organisations contribute to the evening's entertainment and their entries are judged on the last night. This year the adjudicator was Mrs Audrey Ward from Reigate, and the trophies were presented by Mrs Jean Farmer assisted by her grandson Bruce. Jean's parents, Brownie and Alice Wood, gave the first cup.

The junior trophy was won by the Sunday Club with a play called The Big Wave. Brockham Evening WI won the senior trophy with Echo for Ladies, while the award for the best presentation went to the Wednesday Club for The happy hikers. Virginia Rogers-Wheatley (in Echo for Ladies) received the award for the best senior individual performance and Emily Chamberlaine of Steps Second dance group won the best junior individual award.

Ann Clinch

April 2004

Handwriting reveals all!

All will be revealed at the next meeting - which is to be held in the recreation ground pavilion at 7.30pm on Monday, April 5, when visitors and new members will be very welcome.

Handwriting is the speaker's topic and Mrs S Biddle will explain what this tells about a writer's personality, while the competition will be for the best limerick with the opening line "A WI member near here".
Names and payments will be collected for the Leith Hill Group outing to Arundel on Wednesday, June 9, to see the carpet of flowers which is laid through the cathedral for the Corpus Christi celebration.

The Cowpie Show in May and the "Summer Days in East Clandon" event in June will also be on the agenda.

Ann Clinch

President

April 2004

From Watercress to Greetings Cards

March is a particularly busy month. March 8 is the date of our meeting when Barrie Arminson will be recounting the history of his watercress business. Visitors and new members will be very welcome to join us in the recreation ground pavilion at 7.30pm.

Then there is the Good Companion's 50th All Village Concert in the village hall on Friday and Saturday, March 12 & 13 and, once again, a group of WI members will be taking part, this time with a playlet called "Echo for Ladies".

The artists among us - and those who just want to have a go - will be at Fire your Imagination, Dorking, at 10am on Saturday March 20 to paint pots. A fortnight later (April 3) we have another craft morning. This time we shall be in the church hall making greetings cards.

Dorothy Charman

Secretary

Tel: 01737 843796

March 2004

The WI have got rhythm

A sense of rhythm is a great asset and something that the speaker at our February meeting lays claim to: "I've got rhythm" is the title Mrs P Weeks gives her talk, one best described as interactive. Come along and hear it you will be very welcome.
The meeting will be held in the recreation ground pavilion at 7.30pm on Monday, February 9 and members are invited to bring along a holiday souvenir to exhibit.

Dorothy Charman

Secretary

Tel: 01737 843796

February 2004

Brockham Evening

Competitions are a light-hearted part of our monthly meetings. Although a small prize is at stake, winning is not a major issue. Contests for such things as 'the two best rose blooms' or 'the most unusual button' are a sideshow for the social break.

Everyone can be a judge by placing a coin (or coins) in a dish by their preferred entry. The winner is the one with the most coins (value does not count).

The money goes to the Associated Countrywomen of the World, an organisation that does much to improve the lives of women in third world countries.

However, the contest at our September meeting, which will be held in the recreation ground pavillion at 7:30 pm on Monday 22nd has a further purpose - advertising.

The challenge is to create a poster for our coffee morning to be held in the Church Hall on Saturday, October 11th 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Approriately for the beginning of the new school year, information gleaned from school log books will help our speaker consider whether there is any truth in the old claim that school days are the happiest days of your life.

Visitors and new members will be very welcome. All enquiries to Secretary Dorothy Charman.

Ann Cinch

September 2003