In 1942 Swanley District divided
and the new Hartley District came into being of which Ash and
Ridley formed a part. A list of officers to date are as follows:-
Presidents:-
1933 – 1937 Mrs Foa, Holywell
Park
1937 – 1944 Mrs Ewbank
"Cherry Orchard", Ash
1944 – 1945 Miss Davies School
House, Ash
1945 – 1946 Mrs Ewbank
1946 – 1947 Mrs Vigo The Rectory,
Ash
1947 – 1950 Mrs Ewbank
1950 – 1956 Mrs Simmons
"Hillside", Billet Hill
1956 – 1957 Mrs Sprenger
"Langley", Hartley
Treasurers:-
1933 – 1936 Miss Poole "Home
Cot", Hartley
1936 (6 months) Miss M. Edwards
"Malden", Ash
1936 – 1944 Mrs Meager "High
Leigh", Ash
1944 - 1956 Mrs E. Hollands 4 North
Ash Cottages
1956 – 1957 Mrs Meager
Secretaries:-
1933 – 1935 Mrs Ralph
"Violet Cottage",
Hodsoll Street
1935 – 1942 Miss D. Underhill
Holywell Park Dairy
1942 – 1947 Mrs Meager
1947 – 1952 Miss Day "Meadcot",
Hartley
1952 – 1956 Mrs Meager
1956 – 1957 Miss Day
1957 Mrs McCarthy Old Rectory, Ash
Ours is the only Institute in the Hartley District
with members holding office at County level. Mrs Simmons, of
"Hillside" Billet Hill, became a Voluntary County
Organiser in 1953, in 1956 she was co-opted to the West Kent
Executive Committee, and 1957 saw her voted on to the West Kent
Executive Committee and elected Chairman of the Produce
Sub-committee. Mrs. Sprenger, our President has now qualified as a
Voluntary County Organiser.
When the Institute was re-formed in 1933 Miss Wright,
the Schoolmistress, loaned the "Hut" which she had built
for extra school accommodation, for our meetings. When she left
the village in 1942 the meetings were transferred to the Parish
Hall which we still use.
In 1939 and 1940 a large "Keep Fit" class
was most popular. The Kent Council of Social Service provided the
Instructress. |
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At the outbreak of the Second
World War in 1939 the Women’s Institute, in co-operation with
the Women’s Voluntary Services, decided they would organise a
money raising effort, mostly Whist Drives, as near as possible
once a month, to raise funds for "Comforts for the
Forces". With this money wool was bought and distributed once
a week to any of the Villagers who were willing and able to knit.
Many large parcels of woollen comforts left the Village throughout
the War. When hostilities ceased a representative committee met to
decide what should be done with the money still in hand, viz. £52.8s.9d.
It was decided to send a cheque for £41 to St. Dunstan’s and
the balance of £11.8s.9d. to go to Women’s Institute Funds
which had suffered rather badly during the War years.
In 1939 we combined with Hartley Women’s Institute
and throughout the War ran a most successful preserving centre. At
least one full day every week was given to this work.
After the Second World War an effort was made
throughout the movement to establish more contacts with Women’s
Institutes in other countries. Ash and Ridley have established
links with :-
Ararimmi Country Women’s Institute, Ramarama,
New Zealand and Horden Vale Branch, Country
Women’s Association, Horden Vale, via Lavers Hill,
Victoria, Australia.
Letters, books and small gifts have been exchanged.
One of the members from the New Zealand Institute attended one of
our monthly meetings while in this country on holiday.
It is the ambition of Women’s Institutes to have
their own banner designed and worked entirely by members. The
design is emblematical of the Village name as far as possible. Mrs
Self "Eastwood" Rogers Wood, designed our banner and was
responsible for obtaining the materials used and getting the work
done. It was completed in 1952.
Handicrafts of all kinds, Drama and Music, are
encouraged for exhibitions and contests at District, County and
National levels. Several of our members are also members of the
National Produce Guild. There is also a Home and International
Relations Representative. |