The Beacon May 2012 - Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat ...

Ditchling Women’s Groups
Ditchling Downs WI
For our April meeting we welcomed Ian Everest as our guest speaker. Ian gave a
most interesting talk together with a cine film of what farming was like in the
1950’s. The film was made by John Willets and covered a year in the life of the
Willets’ farm from 1955 - 56. The farm was situated in Bishopstone, on the South
Downs between Newhaven and Seaford and on the face of it the film looked
idyllic, sunshine every day but Ian went on to explain the 20 farm workers
worked a 50 hour week and lived in very basic cottages with no indoor plumbing
and no tenure to their homes. One worker had an accident with a piece of farm
machinery and was given one minute’s notice to leave his employment and
immediate eviction from his cottage. These were harsh times. The film also
showed workers washing cattle with an organophosphate to prevent warble fly,
now banned, with no protection from gloves or special clothing. Perhaps things
were not all good in the old days. One beautiful scene was a field full of stacks of
corn covered with thatch. They looked like rows of pretty thatched cottages .
Congratulations were given to W.I member Janet Walford who was given a
highly commended award for her pennant design for the county competition
and shown at the Region’s AGM.
For our May meeting, on Tuesday 1 st May in the Friends Meeting House, East
Gardens, Ditchling, 7.30pm for 8pm, our guest speaker will be Dick Morley who
will give a talk on Ditchling Memories. There will also be our annual bring & buy
plant sale. Visitors will be welcome – contact Barbara Dollings 01273 843892
Barbara Dollings 01273 843892
Ditchling WI
On Thursday April 5 th we had a very fun talk with slides on “The British seaside
Holiday” by Jackie Marsh Hobbs. We were told how doctors used to recommend
dipping in the sea for your health. We were also shown slides of various piers;
the very first pier was built in Ryde in 1814. Deck chairs made an appearance in
1898. Punch and Judy came over from France in 1662. We saw how swimming
costumes have altered over the years. We then had a Photo competition called
‘British holiday’ which was won by Joan Sayer. There was a nice Easter tea and
Flower of the Month plus a Grand Raffle.
Our next meeting will be the WI resolutions and will be held on Thursday May
3 rd at 2.30 pm in the Village Hall. Visitors will be very welcome.
Joan Sayer, Tel 01273845255
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