Newspaper Articles 1969 – British Women’s Overseas Club

[March 1969]

British Women’s Overseas Club

A minute’s silence was observed as a tribute to the late Mrs A.D.M.G. Laing, a foundation member of the British Women’s Overseas Club, at the club’s annual meeting.

Competitions were won by Mesdames K. Manning and L. H. Wainscott.

Officers elected were. – President, Mrs K. Mason; vice-president, Mrs K. Sowman; secretary, Mrs A. Meakin; treasurer, Mrs E. Isaacson, committee Mesdames J. Brown, N. C. Dagg, A. W. Lowe, A. H. Martin, E. V. Mason, E. J. Matson, A. Mayberry and I. D. Osborne.

[April 1969]

British Women’s Overseas Club

Hastings.- At the club’s 23rd birthday, entertainment was provided by Mrs Rachel Plank who sang two English songs. She was accompanied by Mrs Marie Stothart.

The president, Mrs K. [Mason] four retiring committee members, Mesdames B. Coleman, J. Harvey, J. Massie and S. Taylor.

The birthday cake was made by Mrs Massie. Competition winners were Miss F. Melanie [Melonie], Mrs E. Strudwick and Mrs E. Fry.

[June 1969]

New members for overseas club

Two women formerly of London, Mesdames E. Dixon and W. Stickland, were welcomed as new members of the British Women’s Overseas club by the vice-president, Mrs M Sowman.

Mrs Dixon arrived in Hastings with her family last month but Mrs Stickland has been living in the city for a number of years.

A demonstration of collage art was given by Mrs E. L. Milne.

Competitions were won by Mrs K. Menzies and Miss E. Wilson.

[July 1969]

Club members pay tribute to late Mr A. I. Rainbow

Members of the Hastings British Women’s Overseas Club stood in silence as a mark of respect for the late Mr A. I. Rainbow.

The club’s founder, Mrs Malcolm Mason, said Mr Rainbow helped her launch the Club soon after the war and had always maintained a close interest in its activities. Mr Rainbow was mayor at the time.

Through Mr Rainbow’s generosity a Christmas party was held in the Assembly Hall in December 1946 where British brides of local returned servicemen were guests of honour.

At this month’s meeting, Mrs I. J. Crawford showed slides of Israel and Jordan where she spent six years at St Margaret’s School in Nazareth as a missionary and later in Jaffa where her husband taught at the Tabeetha School.

Mrs Crawford was thanked by the president, Mrs K. Mason, and was presented with a gift.

Competition winners were: Mesdames W. Powell. K. Mason and S. O. Taylor.

[September 1969]

Hand-painting of china described

Mrs F. M. Leadley told members how to hand-paint china at a meeting of the British Women’s Overseas
Club in the St. Matthew’s Guild Room, Hastings.

The vice-president, Mrs M. Sowman, thanked Mrs Leadley and presented her with a gift.

[October 1969]

Dried-flower arrangements at meeting

Mrs D.G.C. Barnsley showed samples of dried and miniature flower arrangements at the monthly meeting of the Hastings branch of the British Women’s overseas Club.

The meeting was held in the St Matthew’s Guild Room, Hastings.

Mrs Barnsley compared flowers available in New Zealand and England. She was thanked by Mrs K. Mason and presented a gift.

Members contributed more than $14 to the Heart Foundation Appeal.

A cake stall was held recently to help with club expenses.

Competitions were won by Mrs C. Carding and Mrs E. Mead.

[November 1969]

50 club members attend party

More than 50 members of the British Women’s Overseas Club took part in an evening of games and competitions at the Christmas party held in the St Matthew’s Guild Room.

The president, Mrs K. Mason, welcomed back from an overseas trip three foundation members, Mrs M. Whitehouse, Mrs H Stuart and Miss M. Horne.

The Hastings Townswomen’s Guild directed by Mrs R. F. Brockway, presented their version of “Cinderella.”

Mrs E. Strudwick and Mrs L. Brown sang Cockney songs in “Pearly Queen” costume.

Competition winners were Mrs E. Fasnacht, Mrs J. Sunley, Mrs E. A. Elms, Mrs P. Pester, Miss E. Wilson and Mrs A. Baker.

A Christmas gift exchange was followed by carol singing accompanied by Mrs L. H. Wainscott. The Christmas cake was cut by Mrs Mason.