WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO THIS SUMMER

Towards the end of May we held our usual annual Car Treasure Hunt. The cars set off in heavy rain ( but only the organiser and umpires got really wet!), however by the time everyone reached the destination we were enjoying a pleasant summer evening.

Our destination was The Dirty Habit at Hollingbourne, where all arrived safely and we enjoyed a very good, if slightly unusual, ploughman's supper. 

Supper at the Dirty Habit

 The little competition was won by Alison and Jim Hopkins who, unlike many others, had no difficulty in interpreting 'Foppish Leo'

We were very busy in June, starting on 4th with the Canterbury annual quiz event at Lower Hardres. While it was a very enjoyable evening, Lynsted it has to be said, did not trouble the scorers for too long.

A few days later on 11th we had a splendid day on David Powell's 'vintage' double decker bus.  We travelled down to Deal for a nice lunch break and then on to Walmer Castle, the traditional home of the Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports. The view from the castle, across the Channel to France, which was clearly visible, reminded us of just why it was that Henry VIII had a whole string of fortifications built along the coast

 Vintage Bus at Deal and Walmer

One week later on 18th June our Branch was represented at the countywide Annual Meeting hosted this year by Maidstone Branch at the Ramada hotel near Hollingbourne.

Still in June, on 24th, was the Woodgate Shield Bat and Trap Competition at the Red Lion, Dunkirk. First reports received suggested that Lynsted had won but quite quickly we heard that Lynsted had in fact lost in the final to Faversham Branch - always the ones to beat as they say.

Early in July a small number of us joined friends who live at Lenham who each year hold a big fund raising event in their garden.  This year they were supporting cancer charities. Lynsted Branch made a substantial donation and we later heard that the event raised close to £600 for causes that all our members are keen to support.

The next event is the Folkestone races meeting on Wednesday, 31st August.  Watch this space for a full report and pictures.