Patricia Henry from Chafford Hundred WI writes about Morris dancing and a recent trip to Bruges.

At our July meeting we were entertained by the Mayflower Morris Dancers from Billericay. Despite it being a very warm evening, they performed a number of lively dances, accompanied by their two musicians.

There is no sound evidence as to how far back Morris dancing started but it is believed to be over 1,500 years, with the earliest references dating back to 1448. Most of the dances performed today are historically from the villages of the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire and parts of the Midlands.

Our social diary for July and the early part of August proved to be hectic. Some of our ladies attended Chadwell St Mary WI’s cream tea and Aveley WI’s birthday party.

We were also invited to join North Stifford WI for a day out to Hastings and Chadwell St Mary WI’s outing to Polhill Nursery and Farmshop, Sevenoaks, and then on to Teapot Island.

For the first time since our formation, some of our ladies ventured further afield and went on a day trip to Bruges. Despite a 7.30am start and a long journey, they enjoyed exploring the old town and, in true WI style, tucked into an extremely hearty lunch of mussels, frites and all the trimmings, of course, helped down by an ample supply of wine. Arriving home at nearly midnight all very weary, this outing will certainly be talked about for a long time to come.

At the beginning of August some of our ladies spent an interesting day at Camden Lock Market.

Vendors of all nationalities were selling an array of goods and when it came to lunch just about every country was represented by so many choices of wonderful food. Following lunch we enjoyed a very serene and pleasant cruise on the Regent Canal.

Our meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month, 7pm – 9.30pm at The Beacon, All Saints Church, Drake Road.

Call me for more information on 01375 480532.