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Whist Club
Crib arrived in Britain some 500 years ago
signalled the birth of the game of whist.
Popular not least for its trumps element,
whist has maintained its appeal as a card game
down the centuries. Versions include knock-out
whist, solo, German whist, nomination whist
and the more challenging and serious bridge.
The subject of this article, the game played by
our Club members at the Chantry Way Day
Centre, is plain and simple whist, partner or
progressive based on the number of participants.
Despite its ongoing support, a rise in
attendance figures would always be both
beneficial to, and welcomed by, our players,
whose numbers have somewhat declined
recently. Ray Plamer, telephone 01277 651428,
will be pleased to answer any questions and
supply exact dates and times to any caller
interested in joining our established group and,
hopefully, becoming a regular contender.
The Day Centre has been host to a whist drive
for many years, and boasts a pleasant setting for
this and many other activities. Whist is played
on alternate Wednesdays, play commencing at
1.15pm, with a half-time break for refreshments,
and a leaving time of 3.30pm or thereabouts.
Inclusive cost is 60pence, prizes are diverse and
generous, but have to be striven for! This timely
finish ensures that one can settle back into life’s
daily flow with a satisfied contemplation of the
earlier afternoon’s proceedings. So, reader, be
persuaded, come along and enjoy the friendly
competition and association that a whist drive
has to offer.
Billericay W.I.
Billericay W.I. had the distinction of being
the first one in Essex, when it opened in
1916; it’s one of the oldest in the country
and has its own hall in St. Edith’s Lane.
I came upon it shortly after moving here, when
en route to the High Street, and decided to give
it a try – as a means of meeting people, making
friends and giving some shape and structure to
a new life in a different place. Almost uniquely,
it has two meetings a month as opposed to the
monthly gatherings of most W.I.’s. The annual
subscription is the same nationwide at £29, so
local members get a very good deal!
Meetings cover a varied selection of topics on
the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each calendar
month (except August) and excerpts from the
current programme reveal talks on: Being a TV
and Film Extra; Why Croissants aren’t French
and My Family and other setbacks.
September gives everyone an opportunity to
enter items in our annual Showday and in June,
Members Day gives the membership the
responsibilities usually undertaken by the
Committee. Visitors are most welcome at £1 per
visit. There is a coffee morning each Friday from
10 am, which is open to the public and diverse
interests are catered for in the gardening club –
which meets on a monthly basis – the choir which
rehearses each week as does the Keep Fit Class.
Throughout the year, coach trips to the West
End to see matinee performances of musicals
and plays are a feature and members take
advantage of the in-house Christmas Post,
which delivers the seasonal mail in good time
for the festive season. For my part, I’m so glad I
joined and that phrase has been repeated in my
hearing so many times.
Yes- we do sing Jerusalem at the start of each
meeting and, those who can, make jam – for
which the rest of us are very grateful.
24 Billericay Town Guide