Women’s Institute Members Abroad

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12801, 24 July 1939, Page 6

Women’s Institute Members Abroad

Touring the British Isles

VISIT TO HOME OF SIR CHARLES AND LADY ALICE FERGUSON

Miss Beatrice Fielder writes to Mrs Connor of her trip with the Women’s Institute Party in very interesting fashion and no doubt Institute members will like to read part of it. At the time of writing (June 27), Mrs R u 11 a 1 n d was i n Dumfrese and Miss Rutland in Fife. “I really started this letter in Northumberland, but on we went, and letters were put away, so I start again. Our first week in London was a hectic rush. Our New Zealand friend, Mrs Hamilton, called for us each day and we went out sightseeing. We saw a marvellous lot, but have not seen a quarter yet of even the places we had planned to see. Then we three went to Slough for a week to Mrs Rutland who visited Tauranga two years ago. Poor dear only saw us at meals. We did Windsor, Eton, Stoke Poges, Maidenhead and Oxford, and -last, but not least, Taplow, the Tauranga Institute link in England. They gave us a wonderful welcome and were delighted with the punga vase which we took them, and in return gave us a huge rug with which they had won a first prize. We went to several of their homes and have promised to go again. We were lucky enough to see Queen Victoria’s tomb. It is only open one day a year to the public—' Whit Monday, j “Conference was most interesting, especially to us to meet all other nations. Some*, spoke English well, some very little, and some not at all, and in their native dress it was a gorgeous sight. Our Maori was much admired. The hospitality was truly marvellous and each day we went to some function. I’ll have to tell' you, I can’t write it all. There was a week-end by bus to Epping forest, where the W.I, entertained us for the week-end. We went to a place called Little Parndon. Then the Conference finished with a trip to Canterbury Cathedral and a special service for us by the Archibshop of Canterbury . . , On the Monday we all

went to different hostesses in England. I went to Bakewell, and each day our hostess took us to see the most wonderful homes, at their owners’ invitation, to Women’s Institute members. When the Matlock Women’s Institute entertained us for a day we saw mineral water very like Te Aroha, not so hot, only 68 degrees. Then I went to York, to a beautiful home, and although it was wet and rather cold we were motored all' round the country, taken to - beautiful homes and to York Minster and along the city wall. Also to a play “Loyalties” by John Galworthy, Later we all met at Leeds and went by bus to Edinburgh, stopping at Lady Trevelyan’s home for two nights, and going to several Castles and Grace Darling’s Museum and tomb. Before that we saw Durham Cathedral, and were shown St. Cuthbert’s tomo and that of the Venerable Bede ... In all places we were welcomed by Women’s Institutes and great spreads prepared for us. The first day we went to Harewood, the Princess Royal’s home and were .taken over the house, having our photos taken on the steps. “At Edinburgh the Scotch Women’s Institute entertained us to dinner, then to see the Castle and War Memorial, which is t beyond words. From there we went to Glasgow, and here I am on the opposite coast at Prestwick, Yesterday we went to tea with Sir Charles and Lady Alice Ferguson. They were so, kind and said they would love to be in New Zealand again. To-day we go to Burn’s Cottage, j “On Thursday we leave for Ire- ' land for six days hospitality, and then we go our own way. Mrs Ed- i wards, Miss Rutland and I go to France and Brittany for two weeks on July 15, after which we all meet again and go to relatives in the South of England. “Am looking forward to seeing you about the end of October,