WI alpaccas
Pontoons Only
After much shifting of boats and hauling-up of pontoons it seems that the work being carried out on the marina is just a small adjustment to the dory moorings in order to gain one or two extra berths. A couple of the wooden ‘fingers’ have been lost as a result and the mooring pattern is slightly different. That’s all there is to it according to John Holman. Thank you for that, John.
KINGSWEAR WI REPORT
Our March meeting turned out to be a little different from that planned. Our speaker unfortunately had to cancel so WI initiative was once again called for.
Virginia Stevens organised a Beetle Drive; as the ladies made up their own rules this turned into a hilarious, fast and furious half hour. Linda Collins brought along her collection of Knickers and Drawers. These were mostly Victorian and beautifully sewn and embroidered. The afternoon was made special by two of our members having significant birthdays so the afternoon turned into a party with flowers for Lorna Usher and Ann See. Marie Higgins and Connie Scammel had made delicious Birthday cakes that were enjoyed by all.
Our April meeting was a little different with a mini bus taking 14 members to Katie Franks’ Alpacas at Venn. We were blessed with fabulous weather and very friendly Alpacas. We were able to go into the field with them and feed them sliced apples. Unlike horses one offers them pointy end first instead of in the palm of the hand. Katie explained how 2 alpacas had become 5 and the joys of the patter of tiny cloven hooves. By this time the alpacas had decided we were part of the family and Christina, the star of the show, was demanding cuddles from all and sundry. We then retired to the play room where Katie and her three delightful grandchildren had produced a power point production about alpacas that would have been beyond the abilities of most adults. We then enjoyed a tea on the lawn with cakes provided by Jane Bolton and Sandra White.
Our future events start with a cream tea in the village hall on 29th April to celebrate the Royal Wedding. On the 18th May we are back in the Trust Room to listen to a talk entitled ‘Tin Baths and Liberty Bodices’ by Jackie Smith. Jackie Smith is a brilliant and often very funny speaker. If any lady would like to come as a guest please phone Sandra White on 752293. On the 15th June we have our ‘meeting on wheels ‘when we will spend the day at Powderham Castle.
Historians
It was story time in the village hall on March 28th when yours truly had to step into the breach in the absence of the BRNC people who were not able to help us on that day as hoped. Actually it was talk into the breach rather than step, because the Historians were treated (or subjected!) to the tragic and romantic story of the lovers from Gomerock. (The old Kingswear Castle).
The story was clearly a favourite of Arthur Holdsworth, late of Dartmouth, who wrote this version for a friend back in early Victorian times. It contained the passion, the tragedy and some of the melodrama of the likes of Dickens. No one fell asleep, that I could see, and one or two tears crept down one or two cheeks, so all was not lost.
After the coffee break Tessa Gibson showed us a few of the family trees of Kingswear that she has been so meticulously researching and, through questions, told us how she is still going about this herculean task of unveiling all old Kingswear families and where they lived, who they were related to, and what happened to them.
By the time this reaches you we will have had a talk on April 25th from Alan Salsbury about the Torbay lifeboats through the ages followed by Michael Stevens who is telling us about the remarkable Holdsworth family of Dartmouth who have been instrumental in shaping the lives of Dartmothians and Kingswearians for many a long year.
Please note that the talk on May 30th will be by David Lingard from Dartmouth Historians telling us what goes on over the water in this very active group; after coffee Tessa Gibson will tell us of some of the goings-on at The Royal Dart over the years – not for the squeamish.
Kingswomen’s Spring Diary
April in Kingswear saw a group of Kingswomen members venturing out of the village on an excursion to Bead Solutions in Paignton for a jewellery- making workshop. (There could be lots of amazing bling at this year’s Christmas Fair!)
We are off over the hill again in May, when The 2nd Annual Boules Contest is scheduled to be held at the Berry Head Hotel in Brixham. Food and wine will also feature on the agenda –it is a Kingswomen event after all!
The summer months will feature garden visits, Shakespeare on the creek in the form of Romeo and Juliet and hopefully lots more outdoor activities if the wonderful weather holds - and of course all women are welcome to share in the fun.
Mitch Tonks at The Ship
There will be a great night at The Ship on Sunday June 12th from 7pm onwards when chef Mitch Tonks crosses over the waters (no, not walking) to join up with the crew in their kitchen to create fabulous Fruits de Mer for us all. That’s posh fish in any language. Mitch will join Jack,Greg and Heather with some of the best fish and shellfish available to man and beast to produce a memorable evening, not to mention great grub. Colin tells me that there will be great pressure on tables for that night so if you want to join in you’d better get your table booked. See you there.
First published May 2011 By the Dart
