A FEW years ago, I was asked to do a piece about the launch of a new daytime Women’s Institute in Hayes and this month they invited me back to a landmark celebration.

The fifth anniversary I asked? Maybe the 10th?

Oh Lordy, where does the time go? It was Hayes Town WI’s 20th anniversary that was being celebrated.

The group’s launch was one of my early jobs at a time I was still learning to switch from writing about giant parsnips to political shenanigans without blinking. Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference.

Anyway, never one to turn down a party, I said ‘yes’ to my WI invitation, while ignoring Mr F’s quips about my credentials (something to do with lack of knitting skills).

I duly turned up at the Hayes and Harlington Community Centre where, if I’m honest, I was prepared for a fairly staid event.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. We were soon dancing to songs by Abba, The Supremes and Michael Jackson, helped by Eastcote cabaret singer Nicky B.

She was accompanied by an amazing computer which provided orchestra and backing singers – and it probably baked the celebration cake too.

Most amusing was how one member, Doreen Smith, identified herself as a regular Bm@il reader. There I was, concentrating on jigging about to Tina Turner’s Simply the Best, even (oh dear) mouthing the words, when I heard her shout to me: “So, you got your drains fixed then?”

n THREE cheers for local talent: first to Southlands, the old arts centre in West Drayton which, last weekend, was buzzing to new music from talented youngsters. Then, four days later, Mr F and I saw a fabulous production at The National Theatre of Strange Interlude, by Eugene O’Neill. It starred Bafta winning Anne-Marie Duff, who started her thespian career with local company Argosy. Hurrah for Hillingdon.

n I SO agree with the reader who wants to go back to calling The Chimes shopping centre by its original name (see last week’s letters). ‘Intu’ just hasn’t got the same ring (ha), has it? So, Chris Calloway, how about we start a campaign?