The local ladies from the Edenbridge Womens Institute, and W.I. members from the surrounding villages of Cowden, Hever, Chiddingstone and Crockham Hill, got together to display their very commendable gesture to support the troops in Afghanistan this Christmas, by organizing a special treat for those who serve overseas in...“Operation Shoebox”!

This started off as a local effort by the ladies, but since the message got around, then dozens of other W.I. groups from a vast area, including Westerham and Chelsfield, have all rallied together volunteering their time and energy, ready and willing to make this Christmas a happy one for the troops.

They have been busy collecting a variety of items that can be packed into shoeboxes, such as sweets, toiletries, cards and small gifts, that the troops will find essential at this time of the year, and to boost their morale, knowing that the ladies of the W.I. and we in England are thinking of them.

The whole village of Cowden displayed their generosity by joining together and eventually producing over 30 shoeboxes full of presents for the troops.

Many generous gifts and money donations have been received from pensioners in the town, and from those who live in Roman Court retirement flats, who all went through the war years from 1939 – 1945, and remember the very hard times with rationing, especially during Christmas, so their donations of gifts, cards and money for the troops, will be most welcomed by those who receive them.

This has been so successful that over 150 boxes were finally filled and wrapped by the ladies of the W.I. which have now been collected by the the Royal Marines and taken to their base in Chatham, ready for the final despatching to the troops abroad in Afghanistan, well in time for Christmas.

The W.I. ladies in Edenbridge, and those in the surrounding villages have been overwhelmed by the generosity of all those who have supported them in this excellent gesture at this special time of the year, and wish to thank everyone who donated, helped and spared their time in making “Operation Shoebox” a brilliant success...for the Troops!!!