AT the October meeting Helen Leonard gave a humourous talk to Fobbing and Corringham WI on her life as a child within the walls of the Tower of London, as she lived there from 1958 to 1975.
Her father was a Beefeater or warder. They lived in a house which was very basic with one door, but once inside was divided into two flats with coal fires and one cold tap in the kitchen.
Hot water had to be taken up three floors, and it was 100 steps up to where the tin bath was kept in a hut on the roof.
Being a listed building no decorating was allowed on the stone walls.
She told us amusing stories about the ravens, Hector was so spiteful he had both verbal and written warnings before being sent to a zoo, and there was George who loved chewing through electric and television cables.
Flower of the month, Chrysanthemum, was won by Ann Betts.
Mrs Charmaine Norris gave the vote of thanks to the committee for the enjoyable Ploughmans lunch at the social afternoon.
The next meeting is on November 11 at 1.45pm at the Corringham Village Hall.
The AGM will be chaired by Maureen Francis.
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