Kingston

KINGSTON WI: Members and two visitors met and enjoyed a good chat over wine, tea or coffee. The business part of the meeting then followed with the Treasurer's report, an update on members who have been unwell, and a showing of the Love in a Box DVD. Kingston WI supports this scheme each year, which delivers Christmas Boxes (shoe boxes) to very poor families in Eastern Europe and to refugees. Two fundraising activities are being planned and were discussed; a joint Macmillan Coffee event between the WI and The Juggs on September 30 at the Juggs, 3pm to 5pm and also the WI Christmas Market on Saturday November 26 at the Parish Hall.

Kingston activities were announced: the walk to Saddlescombe and Devil’s Dyke on Wednesday September 28, meeting at the end of The Street at 9.30am; Tap Dancing in the Parish Hall on Thursdays September 22 and 29 at 7.30pm; Pilates on Tuesdays in the Parish Hall, now at the new time of 3.30pm to 4.30pm due to the increased hours of Pre-school (spaces for new members); Craft Group on Fridays at 2pm in the Pavilion.

The speaker for the evening was Peter Willson, from Herstmonceaux, who is a church organist and jazz pianist. Trained at the Royal Academy of Music, Peter teaches jazz piano, has his own band, Pete Willson Quartet, and plays at gigs throughout East Sussex. His presentation for the evening was The Origins of Jazz covering the times of slaves bringing their music from Africa, and the sea shanties, through to the development of jazz at the brothels in Storyville, New Orleans, where Jelly Roll Morton got his first work, playing piano to keep the men from leaving due to long queues! As well as describing the history, Peter also explained some musical theory including pentatonic scales which feature in jazz but also in many different type of music throughout the world, and cleverly demonstrated different styles on his electronic keyboard. It was a very interesting talk, with many musical excerpts.

The October meeting will be held on Thursday October 6 in Kingston Parish Hall from 7.30pm. The speaker will be Dr Moira Harrison who will be bringing her dog, Treacle, and talking about Medical Detection Dogs. This should be a fascinating talk, so come along to join us. Visitors are always very welcome to attend our meetings. (Beverley Wakeford-Brown).

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