Aspects of Kentish Local History

Home
News & Events
  Publications Archaeological
Fieldwork
Local & Family
History
Information
by Parish
 


Ash next Ridley - Parish Information

W.I. History of Ash and Ridley from Earliest Records to 1957 - Page 84

Women's Institute continued

   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.

   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.

Previous Page        Back to Contents Page       Next Page      

  Back to Ash next Ridley Researches Introduction          Back to Information by Parish Introduction

This website is constructed by enthusiastic amateurs. Any errors noticed by other researchers will be to gratefully received so 
that we can amend our pages to give as accurate a record as possible. Please send details too localhistory@tedconnell.org.uk