Lesley and Joan spoke about representing the WI at the Royal Garden Party held at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday June 2nd last year. This was in Celebration of the WI Centenary and was attended by 8,000 members. It was a fine but blustery day, which caused quite a few ladies to lose their hats, which were often seen bowling across the lawn. This did not seem to affect the Royal hostesses - Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex, Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Gloucester who walked among the ladies looking impeccable and chatting to many of us. After listening to the bands, and queueing for delicate sandwiches followed by fruit and ice cream, we were free to wander around and admire the gardens and lake. After it was all over, we exited through the Palace and across the courtyard, I am sure that we will feature in quite a few pictures taken by the tourists hanging about outside the fence, especially those foreigners who wondered what was going on!
As were booked to attend the National AGM at the Albert Hall on the Thursday, we stayed overnight and spent Wednesday, another lovely day, on a visit to Kensington Palace where we admired the display of Royal gowns from the 50s thro 80s as worn by the Queen, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana. After a stroll around the gardens and park we had time for a little retail therapy along Kensington High street before returning to the hotel.
Our next meeting will be in our usual home of the Community Centre on Wednesday 13th April 2016. Our speaker will be Charlotte Harrison - A story of Tea and Tea Tasting. We look forward to seeing everyone there and don’t forget your mug!
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.
