Mrs Kate Smith who came and talked about a boat called Rogue

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

We welcomed Mrs Kate Smith who came and talked about a boat called Rogue which is a much loved sailing vessel owned by her and her husband.

She talked about how the Broads have changed with rivers flooding and receding over the centuries, Burgh Castle and Caistor St Edmund being prime examples of rivers receding and the Dove Valley between us and Brooke would have been a river.  Hard to imagine isn't it?

Kate and her husband lived in the Midlands for many years but on returning to Norfolk, wanted a project.

She said at the start of the War all boats anchored on the Broads were commandeered by the Government and joined at intervals across the rivers and Broads to make things difficult for possible river invasion by the Germans.  The embargo was lifted in July 1943.

Her husband always had fond memories of sailing on the Broads with a young school friend and his parents pre-war.  He made enquiries from his friend only to find it had been sold many years previously and they had no idea of its whereabouts.  They kept looking on the internet and catalogues and at long last in 1989 it came up for sale.  They went to see it and what a pitiful sight met their eyes - just a rotting hulk!  After much thought, they decided to purchase it and brought it back to Norfolk.  They and their family and friends set to,  to restore it and after 4 years, it was fit for sailing - they still had the old sails thankfully. The original owners from Norwich were invited to see her at the launch - they were overjoyed to see her again.   They went on to win different Broads Racing Trophies in 1998 and 1999. Over the years, they have sailed up and down all the Broads and rivers and we saw lovely slides of their travels.

It was amazing to see the slides of the wreck that she was and what she was like after restoration -  I wonder how many people would undertake such a project!

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 14 May at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.  This will be our Birthday Meeting so after discussing the Resolutions, we will enjoy a nice buffet  and then chatting and a Quiz ,  if time permits. 

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.  If there any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.

Shirley Shackshaft

House of Lachasse leading Couture Houses London

 

We welcomed Kathleen Dentten to our February meeting to talk about her experience of working for the House of Lachasse, one of the leading couture houses in London famous for its classic styles.  It was situated just round the corner off Berkeley Square. 

 

She was always interested in dressmaking and embroidery at secondary school.  After leaving school, she applied to several fashion houses but was accepted at Lachasse for a 5 year apprenticeship in 1967.  She started in the tailoring department and just did sleeves at first under strict supervision.  Customers had three fittings before completion of a garment   Over the years she went on to make complete garments.  She also managed to gain experience on the dressmaking side as well - dresses etc.  She made a pink jacket for Barbara Cartland, who liked her clothes very tight.  They held a Fashion Show twice a year at which 72 outfits were shown!

 

She left them when she married a man in the Forces and travelled all over the world.

 

In the latter years, she set up her own very successful dressmaking business including making theatre costumes in Norfolk which she sold two years ago.

 

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 9 April at 7.30pm when David Reeve will be coming and talking about Royal Security.

 

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.  If there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.