The Blackwater Spring Group Meeting took place this year in Tolleshunt D'Arcy Village Hall, hosted by D'Arcy WI. Presidents and members from Tollesbury, Tiptree, Priory Heath, Kelvedon, Goldhanger, Little Totham and Tolleshunt Major were welcomed and the hall was full to capacity. WI advisor Tricia Evans was introduced by the convener of the meeting, Sue Clark, and members were invited to stand to sing Jerusalem, ably accompanied by Freda Wyatt at the piano. Kelvedon members and president received a special mention as new members of the Blackwater Group.

After the minutes from the meeting in 2007 had been read, approved and signed, Tricia reminded everyone of the many interesting events which are planned for the next few months; a day to be spent fossil hunting on the beach at Walton on the Naze sounded exciting and unusual and there are many other activities to come, all detailed in Essex News.

Then it was time for Tricia to introduce the speaker for the evening, former High Sheriff of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst. Tricia gave a short account of Jennifer's life, interests and achievements, before the speaker herself stepped up to the microphone to begin her fascinating talk, first outlining the history of the role of County Sheriff from way before the Norman Conquest until the present day. At one time, the High Sheriff (earlier known as the Shire Reeve) was extremely powerful, being responsible for not only Law and Order, but collecting taxes such as Danegeld and arranging for the comfort of travelling judges, once this became the normal practice to ensure fairness all over the country.

Today, there is still a great deal of responsibility, though much of what is now required of the High Sheriff comes under the heading of hospitality as well as raising money for many charities.

There are also many grand ceremonial occasions to be attended and members were delighted when Jennifer donned her official plumed hat to give a small idea of the magnificence of these events. Very becoming it was too.

This was an enthralling talk, full of amusing anecdotes to spice the unfolding of much information about a subject which was quite new to most of the listeners.

So having in imagination accompanied the High Sheriff and her husband (and sometimes some of her children), through official engagements, parties hosted in their home, the Oyster Feast and a hair raising trip on a marine police launch, amongst many other activities, members heard a little about Home Start with special reference to Maldon Home Start and at the end of the talk were enthusiastic in their applause.

Tolleshunt D'Arcy president, Nancy, gave the vote of thanks.

Delicious refreshments followed, thanks to a hard working band of caterers and clearers up from D'Arcy WI, and during this break, there were stalls to patronise, raffle tickets to buy and entries for the coat of arms competition to admire.

All of the entries were impressive but Tiptree Priory Heath took first and second prize and Kelvedon came third. Back in their seats once more, members were brilliantly entertained by Tollesbury Amateur Dramatic Society, whose play about the number of things which went wrong at a Village Fete, including thunder, rain and an electric laughter; wonderful acting and sound effects and it was a great end to a lovely evening.

All that remained was the raffle, the general vote of thanks and the national anthem.

A NEW STAR

The spring quiz in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and village hall funds took place on Saturday March 29 and was a great success.

Over £300 being raised to be split equally between the two charities. Dawn Pitt, presenting her first quiz, and ably assisted by stellar performances from Julie Smith and Donna Rumsey, raised the bar to new levels of planning and execution.

The organisers would like to thanks everyone who took part and who helped out on the night.

Dawn has already started planning for the next quiz.