Tuesday 28 December 2021

A walk (or two) in the park


Between Christmas and New Year, East End WI members got together in Victoria Park to walk, talk and have a cuppa. 

Trees, dogs, film and exhibition recommendations, travellers' tales, household wisdom – all manner of topics were covered.


Very best wishes to all of our members and friends for a happy and healthy New Year. 

 


Coming up in the new year

 

Please look out for updates on our online and in-person events: 


January - a talk on the climate crisis and a coffee morning at Tate Britain

February - estate planning

March - International Women's Month

Tuesday 7 December 2021

December update – meeting postponed




December meeting postponed

The Covid situation has moved exponentially. Wreath-making, craft, raffle and stalls all involve being in close proximity. Some of our members have family events planned in the next week or so, and weighing the risks puts those meetings as a priority.

So on medical and social advice, for the wellbeing of our community, our December meeting has been postponed.

We are so sorry to disappoint everyone who was looking forward to meeting. Members should look out for an email update and we look forward to a celebration in the New Year. 

Best wishes for a peaceful, safe and happy festive season to all our members.


Coffee mornings

Look out for our new year newsletter to see what will be coming up in 2022.

 

Saturday 20 November 2021

Breast awareness: Our November meeting

Following a very busy Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, our very own Sally Shanley, a Breast Care Nurse Specialist with 25 years’ experience, gave our November talk.

Sally spoke of advances in breast care, from early days of insensitivity with patients to modern equipment for screening.

 

We had a run-through of breast problems that aren’t cancer – fibroadenoma, mastitis, breast calcifications (the most common reason why women are recalled after a mammogram), cyclical and non-cyclical breast pain and chest wall pain. We learned that it’s easy to sprain a pectoral muscle in a workout and that there has been an increase in breast pain since Covid, attributed to not wearing bras in lockdowns. 

 

And with 85% of women wearing the wrong size bra, Sally told us that when fitting women for a prosthesis, she will use the right size for them and there are often comments on how much more comfortable it is. 

 

Sally gave us a fascinating history of the bra: the very first bra in 1600BC, how Roman women had their breasts bound as they got older, the change in construction because of the 1920s metal shortage, bandeau bras of the flapper era, the development of cup sizes, the bullet bra of the 1940s-50s and the first sports bra.

 

There was an update on screening and statistics: in the UK, women over 50 who are registered with a GP are called for screening every three years (if not called, you can call the screening service) until age 70, after which you can self-refer. At the moment, the first call is at 50-53 but there is a scheme in study phase to start at 47-50. 80% of breast cancers are in women over 50; one in three are in women over 70. There are 4-500 male breast cancer cases a year.

 

Sally took us through when to check our breasts for changes (once a month, mid cycle pre-menopause if you tend to get lumpy before a period) and showed us diagrammatic and video guides to how to examine and the changes to look out for. We were given goodie bags packed with useful information and checking guides from Cancer Research, Breast Cancer Care and breast cancer charity Coppafeel.

 

Some myth-busting took us through hereditary cancers, breast implants, technology, deodorants and underwired bras.

 

We also had an opportunity to purchase some of Sally’s beautifully-presented hand-made brooches and key rings, with the proceeds going to Coppafeel. 

 

A big thank you to Sally for an interesting and valuable talk.

 

Coffee mornings

 

Friday 26th November - Coffee Morning on Zoom, 10.30. The Zoom link will be sent out nearer the time to our list of East End WI members and friends. 

Friday 10th December - in-person, cafĂ© to be confirmed


December meeting

Thursday 16th December - Christmas social and craft session We are hoping to raise some some funds for the EEWI, so please feel free to bring along any of your crafted items for a sale table. We will also have a raffle (any prizes for the raffle would be welcomed).


Coming up in the new year

 

January - a talk on the climate crisis and a coffee morning at Tate Britain

February - estate planning

March - International Women's Month


 

Monday 8 November 2021

Coming up in November



November meeting: breast awareness with Sally Shanley

Thursday 18th November, 7pm for 7.30, St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PL. Entry by the big iron gates and round the garden to the hall. 

Following breast awareness month in October, our very own Sally Shanley will bring us up to date with the latest information. There may well be a pink quiz and the opportunity to purchase some of Sally’s hand made brooches and key rings, with the proceeds going to her favourite breast charity, Coppafeel. We promise it won't all be too serious.

Safety Adjustments for Covid-19

We cannot guarantee that The Hall is a covid secure environment but we will take the following measures to keep all as safe as possible:

  1. Hand sanitiser on entry. 
  2. Lots of space, but we will leave the door open to the garden so please bring woollies! 
  3. Masks are optional, but we encourage them for when moving around the room. 
  4. Temperatures will be taken on arrival. 
  5. List of attendees in case of subsequent covid cases. 
  6. Please do not attend if you believe you have been infected with Covid-19, have been instructed to self-isolate if you or any member of your household have tested positive in the last 14 days.
November coffee mornings

Friday 12th November - Coffee Morning at Oxford House, Derbyshire St, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG. Meet at 11.00. It has a nice spacious and airy cafĂ©. There is an interesting exhibition of local historic photographs.

Friday 26th November - Coffee Morning on Zoom, 10.30. The Zoom link will be sent out nearer the time to our list of East End WI members and friends. 

December meeting

Thursday 16th December - Christmas social and craft session We are hoping to raise some some funds for the EEWIs, so please feel free to bring along any of your crafted items for a sale table. We will also have a raffle (any prizes for the raffle would be welcomed).

Saturday 23 October 2021

Women in the armed forces: our October meeting


At our first in-person meeting back at St Margaret’s House, Kathleen Sherit gave us a lively and fascinating talk about women in the armed forces.


Jo Salter has been the first woman to qualify as a Tornado pilot. Catherine Jordan is a naval aviator, ship’s captain and mother of three. Chantal Taylor is a combat medic. That was made possible by the remarkable women who went before them. 

In the First and Second World Wars, women were only allowed non-combat roles, if they got pregnant they were dismissed and senior ranks women were single. In 1917, women were employed in traditional roles to replace men so that they could go to the front. 

Helen Gwynne-Vaughan turned down a place at Oxford because they didn’t award degrees to women, studied botany at King’s, married another botanist and after he died, took up a post that sent her to France to set up the Women’s Army Corps. She created the hugely successful WAAC. In 1918 the War Office called them home but she argued for them to stay for communications. Queen Mary had them renamed the Queen Mary Army Corps and the Air Force called for her to put their equivalent on a sound footing. In World War II, she set up a service to train women to be officers. She took charge of the Auxiliary Territorial Service until the early 1960s. She was retired on the grounds of age – but with the King’s Commission. 

In World War II women’s roles expanded: operating barrage balloons, boat crew in the harbours – and by the end, there was division between what women were allowed to do and what was called ‘combat’.

Mary Tyrwhitt got rank titles for women. Deputy in the ATS by the end of the war, she took charge in 1946. She had a navy father and wanted women to be able to protect themselves – but came up against opinion that much as the Russians had women snipers, here, a soldier’s duty was to protect his womenfolk. In a world where female officers were often addressed as ‘Miss’, she proposed that women officers used army ranks. She became Brigadier Mary Tyrwhitt.

Air Commodore Joy Tamblin introduced small arms training for women. She joined up at 17 and a half, at Bletchley Park. Inspired, she went to Durham University to study Geography and became a town planner. But that didn’t last long – bored, she joined the Air Force and became an accountant officer, posted to Aden. She became fed-up with women being denied jobs they could fill because they depended on post-holders being armed.  She visited a station where a forward-thinking officer had taught a woman how to fire a gun so that she could take her turn. She argued for women being armed – but it was still not called combat.

Flight Lieutenant Julie Gibson was the first woman to qualify as a pilot in the RAF. She studied aeronautics but was turned down by the University Air Squadron on non-combat grounds and reluctance to train women 'before marriage or motherhood’. When the Sex Discrimination Act came in, women were allowed in. There was high demand for World War II pilots and difficulty recruiting. There were women in university air squadrons who were better than male candidates but still the combat rule applied, so they got involved in training, some helicopters and transport. Julie Gibson was the first female captain of a Hercules transporter.

Anthea Larken was a traditional naval officer who accepted the need for women to go to sea. She became aware in the mid 1970s that the Navy was changing. Women were denied promotion because they didn’t go to sea. In the 1980s, the Navy had recruitment problems. Boys were joining later, with family ties, and WRENs were leaving. The answer was to send women to sea in a handful of ships until, other NATO nations having mixed crews, minister for armed forces Archie Hamilton pushed for change. The first women served on HMS Brilliant, in the Falklands. In 1993, the WRNS was disbanded and became part of the Royal Navy. 

Now, it could not be denied that women were in a combat role.

Kathleen Sherit was in the Royal Air Force as a training specialist. She retired as a group captain after 22 years’ service. Her book Women on the Front Line is published by Amberley Publishing

Our next coffee mornings: 

29th October 2021 on Zoom

12th November 2021 at 11.00, at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, 
London E2 6HG, where there is also an exhibition of old photographs.

Our next meeting, on 18th November at St Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Road, London E2 9PL at 7pm for 7.30, will have our very own Sally Shanley, a healthcare professional, speaking about breast awareness. 

We cannot guarantee that The Hall is a Covid secure environment but we will take the following measures to keep all as safe as possible:

1. Hand sanitiser on entry 

2. Lots of space, but we will leave the door open to the garden.

3. Masks are optional, but we encourage them for when moving around the room. 

4. Temperatures will be taken on arrival. 

5. List of attendees in case of subsequent Covid cases, 

6. Please do not attend if you believe you have been infected with Covid-19, have been instructed to self-isolate if you or any member of your household have tested positive in the last 14 days.

Friday 8 October 2021

Coming up in October




Our next meeting, on 21st October, at 7pm for 7.30, will have Kathleen Sherit talking about women in the armed forces. 

Kathleen will have some copies of her recent book, for perusal and for sale. 

This will be our first in-person meeting back at St Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green. For new members who haven't visited before, the address is 21 Old Ford Road, London E2 9PL. The entrance is the gated archway to the left of the building. Follow the path along and to the right, round the courtyard garden, and you'll see us ready to welcome you – the meeting room opens on to the courtyard.

As this is our first meeting, we will gauge how comfortable everyone feels. We cannot guarantee that The Hall is a Covid secure environment but we will take the following measures to keep all as safe as possible – apologies, this is the boring but necessary bit!

1. Hand sanitiser on entry 

2. Lots of space, but we will leave the door open to the garden so please bring woollies! 

3. Masks are optional, but we encourage them for when moving around the room. 

4. Temperatures will be taken on arrival. 

5. List of attendees in case of subsequent covid cases, 

6. Please do not attend if you believe you have been infected with Covid-19, have been instructed to self-isolate if you or any member of your household have tested positive in the last 14 days.

October coffee mornings 

15th October at 11.00, at Chirunguito cafĂ©, at the north exit of Bethnal Green underground station. The cafĂ© opens at 11.00 so this is slightly later than normal. We can sit outside if preferred.

29th October on Zoom. 
The Zoom link will be sent out nearer the time to our list of East End WI members and friends. 

Thursday 16 September 2021

The work of St Mungo’s: our September meeting

At our September meeting, we heard from Lamorna Hooker from St Mungo’s, the charity that works to support people with their recovery from homelessness. 

The charity started in 1969, with a small group of people offering food and what help they could. Its first hostel was in a Marmite factory in Vauxhall. The story of the name is that one of the founding volunteers came from Glasgow, which has St Mungo as its patron saint. 

Last year, St Mungo’s provided bed and support to 3,150 people every day and helped almost 33,000 people with housing, health, skills and employment. It has a network of clients who play a crucial role in its decision-making and implementation processes, and staff with lived experience of homelessness. 

On the streets, women are vulnerable to violence, harassment, weather and tend to have severe and interrelated problems that make recovery difficult. Women are often hidden, which makes them hard to count in statistics and hard to reach. 

St Mungo’s work covers three areas:

Emergency projects include outreach, a severe weather emergency project and working in prisons as a bridge between the criminal justice system and services.

Accommodation spans emergency help, supported independent living and care homes for the elderly, with a focus on recovery and wraparound support.

Recovery projects are the USP of St Mungo’s. It has a Recovery College, a skills and employment programme and emotional support. Its hugely popular gardening projects include a London garden designed by Jekka McVicar.

During the pandemic, St Mungos has been part of the Everyone In scheme, managed 30 hotels, helped more than 4,000 people to isolate safely and 80% of its frontline services have continued to operate.

How you can get involved:
  • Fundraise
  • Volunteer
  • Campaign with St Mungos, for instance by writing to your MP
  • Download the Streetlink app, which you can use to note the location and description of a rough sleeper so that services can find and help them

Many thanks to Lamorna for her interesting and insightful talk.

We also heard from East End WI member Jakki, who worked in social housing for 40 years before retiring five years ago. 

Jakki spent some years working for Housing for Women, founded in the 1930s by people who understood that women were disadvantaged, largely through income. Housing for Women provides low-cost permanent housing, a sanctuary scheme, works with women leaving prison, particularly in addressing the catch-22 of housing women being reunited with their children, and with trafficked women.


One positive note from each:

Lamorna: St Mungo’s is one of the only homelessness charities that will accept dogs. There is a heartening case study on the St Mungo’s website about former client Susan and her dog Lady, pictured above.

Jakki: on its website, Housing for Women welcomes the Domestic Abuse Act, a recent act of Parliament, as a step in the right direction.
 
…and a book recommendation from Lamorna: The Salt Path, by Raynor Winn.

Our next coffee mornings: 
15th October 2021 at 11.00am at Chirunguito cafĂ©, Museum Gardens, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA 

Our next meeting, on 21st October, at 7pm for 7.30, will have Kathleen Sherit talking about women in the armed forces. This is planned to be an in-person meeting, back at St Margaret’s House. The usual Covid precautions will apply: please don't come if you feel unwell, the doors will be open, there will be sanitiser and if you prefer to wear a mask, please do.

Wednesday 8 September 2021

Coming up in September



Our next meeting on 16th September:
Lamorna Hooker will talk to us about the work of 
St Mungo’s – the charity that works on recovery 
from homelessness so that everyone has a place to 
call home and can fulfil their hopes and ambitions.

St Mungo’s aim to end homelessness and rebuild lives. They have been coordinating responses with the local authorities to get people into safe places and protect them from the pandemic. They recognise the importance of mental health and well-being and of the companionship of pets and welcome dogs.

Pictured: St Mungo's client Susan with her dog Lady.

We are also hoping that Jakki, one of our members, may be able to join us to share some of her vast professional experience of working with women in housing.

Lamorna works in Bristol so this meeting will be online, starting at 7.30pm. The Zoom link will be sent out earlier that day to our list of East End WI members and friends.
If you don’t think you are already on the list and would like to be included, please email us.


Another coffee anyone?

We had a lively opening meeting in person at Café Crème, 566 Roman Road, Bow, E3 5ES, last month so we suggest sticking with this venue for our next coffee morning this Friday 10th September at 10.30am.

From the last meeting someone commented on how ‘reasonable’ the prices were with an extensive menu offering lots of choice for all palates. It is also accessible by foot, bicycle and other forms of transport and within walking distance of the Community Garden - if anyone cares to make an excursion afterwards!





Sunday 22 August 2021

Foraging tips and family stories: our August meeting


It’s a good year for blackberries. But what else could we be foraging? At our August meeting, we heard from Wendy Paton, forager, bushcraft specialist and East Edge Sisters member.

Wendy grew up in Melbourne, Australia, where she grew interested in living off the land. Wendy has foraged wild rhubarb in Mongolia, harvested blueberries in Ecuador, been mud fishing in Vietnam and eaten insects for breakfast in Laos. Wendy started London Bushcraft to reconnect people with nature. 

Along with their uses in traditional herbal medicine, here are just a few of the things that we learned from Wendy’s talk: Elderflowers are best picked early on a dry day, nettles before they flower and sloes traditionally after first frosts. Jack-by-the-hedge, nettles, lemon balm and dandelions can all be used in pesto mixes. Sweet violet leaves are a good parsley substitute. Ash seeds can be pickled if picked early when transparent. And a swiss inventor studied how burdock leaves stuck to clothes – which led to the invention of Velcro.

Our members shared stories too: Past President Natasha learned to forage from her French mother, who, if in any doubt, would take mushrooms to the chemist. Chemists in France have to know about poisonous mushrooms. And Annie told how they used to use curly dock seeds as money when they were children.

Some rules for foraging:

Only eat something if you’re sure what it is

You can pick unless there are regulations in the area

You cannot uproot a plant unless you have landowner’s permission

Test your sensitivity to plants

Pick in a non polluting environment

Always double check ingredients before using.

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding

More from Wendy on foraging, recipes, workshops, courses and wilderness retreats: https://www.londonbushcraft.com and at @londonbushcraft on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter 

Pictured above: blackberries by the River Lea, herb Robert and lemon balm.

Our next coffee morning will be on Friday 27th August, on Zoom

Our next meeting, on 16th September, will have St Mungo’s talking about women and homelessness. Check back here for details.

Thursday 29 July 2021

Coming up in August...



At our next meeting on 19th August, Wendy Paton from London Bushcraft will talk to us about foraging in London.

Wendy’s interest in bushcraft started as a young child in Australia. Wendy has led 21 expeditions worldwide. During these trips she has foraged for wild rhubarb in Mongolia and picked enough wild blueberries in Ecuador to turn herself blue.

At our August meeting, Wendy will tell us about the what, where and how of foraging in London.

This meeting will be online, starting at 7.30pm. 

The Zoom link will be sent out earlier that day to our list of East End WI members and friends. If you don’t think you are already on the list and would like to be included, please email us.


Coffee mornings

In person: We are making use of the chance to sit outside, under a protective awning at CafĂ© Crème, 566 Roman Road on Friday 6th August at 10.30am.

It is just on the corner by the Bow Idea Store. Accessible, and buses not too far away. Very friendly, welcoming staff and, if we did need to go inside to shelter, it is quite spacious. We do not expect a huge group, but for some of us it will be a chance to put on some glad rags and see the full picture!

We will see how it goes, and will also offer (possibly alternate) future Zoom sessions.

On Zoom: 27th August, 10.30am. The Zoom link will be sent out nearer the time to our list of East End WI members and friends. 

Friday 16 July 2021

Following the plots – our July meeting at Pudding Mill allotments



“The first year, there were hundreds of goldfinches.”

For our July meeting, we were invited to visit the beautiful Pudding Mill Allotments, by Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where East End WI members Clare and Colleen have plots.

Arriving through fragrant lavender and sitting in early evening light as martins swooped overhead, we heard from Clare about the history of the site, its wildlife and the things that people grow, as well as having time for a catch-up and cake.

We also took time to complete the task of the AGM to elect a President. We’re delighted to announce that Heather Qualtrough has been elected. You can find the 2021/22 committee here.

Our thanks to Yvette from Middlesex Federation for coming along.

A huge round of applause to Natasha and the 2020/21 committee for all of their work in these challenging times, keeping the East End WI community going and creating an excellent programme of virtual events. And thank you Clare and all at the allotments for welcoming us.

Our next meeting, on Thursday 19 August, will be about foraging. Check back here for information nearer the time.

Photos by Kate Fuller; sketch by Lydia Thornley.

Saturday 10 July 2021

 

Welcome to the latest news from your EEWI

Our Next Meeting…

Save the date! 15th July is the third Thursday of the month, and our next meeting. 

Venue: Allotments at QEOP where Clare and Colleen spend time.

Directions: Bridgewater Road, London E15 2NJ.

Don't look up the address on Google maps as it won't show, but if you Google Pudding Mill allotments then the address appears! The nearest bus stop is Warton Road - buses 25, 106, 276, 425. There is also the 388 which stops on Westfield Avenue. Car parking is also available.

Time: 07:30 PM on Thursday 15th July 2021

What you can expect on the evening: We’ll see what goes on at the allotments and hear the history of the site, as well as have time for a catch-up, coffee and some cake.
Please note: We remain COVID-19 aware, and will be considerate of social distancing and numbers. We recommend everyone attending bring their own mug/glass, as some wine may arrive… There is a fridge and a kettle and very importantly a toilet! Don’t forget to bring your own hand sanitiser too. 

Committee Matters…


We’ll also complete the task of the AGM, to elect a President so that we can go forward with the complement of committee and roles filled. Yvette from MFWI has been invited. We have one person willing to stand for President, but if anyone feels they missed the chance, please do step up for the committee or a post. We need to be quorate (8), and this business should not take very long, so we do hope to see you there.
In the unlikely event that we cannot complete this task, we need to give 10 days’ notice of a special meeting, which will be on the following Thursday, 22nd July, 7.30 on Zoom. Joining details will follow.

Monday 7 June 2021

 

Logo


Our next meeting, on 17th June, is our AGM, covering 2020/2021 – an unusual and challenging year for us all. There will be reports from our Secretary and Treasurer - about last year’s activities and accounts.

There will also be the essential election of your committee, and the new president. Natasha generously continued in this role last year, making it clear that she would be stepping down at the end of that term, but would, of course, be available to support the next holder. We need to fill the key posts to sustain ourselves as the EEWI.

An adviser from Middlesex Federation will be joining us.

We will again be meeting via Zoom, starting at 7.30pm. The link will be sent out earlier in the day to our shorter list of members and friends.

***

Before then we will have a coffee morning on the 11th June - 10.30 usual time. We thought maybe bringing an idea of a treat, activity or event that we would recommend, to welcome the ‘opening up’. I have just heard of the £1 entry to The Tower of London for TH residents so you can go giddy on the glass bridge!

Also, have a think and float any ideas for future meetings – we have ‘Tax care and Toy Boys’, foraging and St Mungo’s coming up. Any crafty, weird and wonderful ideas welcomed!

We will also be having a coffee morning on 25th June. We suggest continuing these twice-monthly get-togethers for a cuppa and a chat.

Looking forward to seeing you on 17th and to another interesting year for EEWI.

Best wishes,

The committee


Saturday 8 May 2021

 


At our next meeting on 20th May, we will be joined by Karen Piotr, a Trustee for the Donor Family Network. Organ donation is a reality for her, following the sudden passing of her husband Mark, aged 49, in May 2017 from a spontaneous brain bleed.

Her talk is about her journey from then to now, including attending the World and British Transplant Games and then going on to meet 2 of Mark's transplant recipients.

We will again be meeting via Zoom, starting at 730pm. The link will be sent out early that day to our shorter list of members and friends. If you don’t think you are already on this list and and would like to be included please let us know by replying to this email.

***

Before then, at our coffee morning on Friday 14th May, we will meet via Zoom from 1030, for a chat and catch up.

There will also be a coffee morning on the 28th May.

Again invitations will be sent out nearer the time.

***

Many of you have renewed your membership for this year, many thanks. For those that have not quite got around to it, full membership is £44 for the year and dual members pay £21.60 to the second group they join.

Payment can be made on-line to:

East End WI

Lloyds Sort Code 30-94-57 A/c 02044729

Please let us know if you prefer not to pay on line and we can find a way around it.

***

You might also be interested in Lydia’s recently started blog, called ‘Dispatches from a Small World’ featuring her sketches and ramblings on the goings on in her back garden. To see more/sign up to it click here.

Tuesday 6 April 2021

 

At our next meeting on Thurs 15th April, we will be joined by professional magician, Kerry Scorah, one of only 20 female members of the Inner Magic Circle. She will come to dazzle us with some magic and talk about her trade.

We will again be meeting via Zoom, starting at 730pm. The link will be sent out early that day to our shorter list of members and friends. If you don’t think you are already on this list and and would like to be included please let us know by replying to this email.

***

Before then, at our coffee morning on Friday 9th April, we will meet via Zoom from 1030, for a chat and catch up. Please bring something with the letter ‘J’.

There will also be a coffee morning on the 23rd March.

Again invitations will be sent out nearer the time.

***

Subscriptions are now due for 2021/22. We are delighted to have gained members during this difficult year and are hoping you will all want to continue your membership for another year.

Full membership is £44 for the year and dual members pay £21.60 to the second group they join.

Payment can be made on-line to:

Lloyds Sort Code 30-94-57 A/c 02044729

Please let us know if you prefer not to pay on line and we will arrange a way around it.

+++

And finally St Margaret’s sent a message about their:

Create Place at Home project, which was started a year ago to help community members find online activities and resources to stay creative and look after their wellbeing during the pandemic. They are bringing this project to a close now that we should be emerging from the pandemic in the summer.

To finish this project they would like to call on all community members to submit their stories, along with a few photos, of the things created or done to keep their mind active during the pandemic. It could be anything from reading, to dancing, to knitting, to DIY projects. They would love to know about all your pandemic pastimes!

To join in, simply fill in the online form and either use the option to link images to your work, or send them separately. Submissions will be collated into the Create Place at Home online gallery on their website and Youtube channel to celebrate the creativity and resilience of our community.

Sunday 7 February 2021

 

At our next meeting on 18th February, we will be joined by Tim Mitchell, an award winning, multi nominated lighting designer, who has worked in all forms of theatre as well as television.

He has lit over 150 productions throughout the world, including in the West End, Broadway and some of the world’s largest opera houses. He will be talking about the history of stage lighting and some of his experiences.

We will again be meeting via Zoom, starting at 730pm. The link will be sent out early that day to our shorter list of members and friends. If you don’t think you are already on this list and and would like to be included please let us know by replying to this email.

***

Before then, at our coffee morning on Friday 12th February we will meet via Zoom from 1030, for a chat and catch up. Possibly bringing something with beginning with the letter A.

There will also be a coffee morning on the 26th February.

Again invitations will be sent out nearer the time

Image courtesy of - Tim Mitchell, from Singing in the Rain.

Friday 8 January 2021

 

At our next meeting on 21st January 2021, we will join Ian Swankie on an armchair tour of some of London’s best public art and street art as we explore the capital, spotting well-known and less well-known works of art.

From Bronzes to Banksy

This journey takes us from west to east. We’ll see a vast range of art including classical bronze monuments, wacky contemporary works and fleeting spray paint art. The artworks are made of metal, stone, ceramics, plaster, paint and even chewing gum.

Ian Swankie is an Arts Society lecturer, and also a London tour guide. He’s a guide at Tate Modern and Tate Britain and Guildhall Art Gallery. He’s also a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Art Scholars, one of the City Livery Companies.

We will again be meeting via Zoom, starting at 730pm. The link will be sent out early that day to our shorter list of members and friends. If you don’t think you are already on this list and and would like to be included please let us know by replying to this email.

***

Before then, at our coffee morning on Friday 15th January we will meet via Zoom from 1030, for a chat and catch up. We could maybe bring a view on resolutions. Nearly half way through the month there will have been plenty of time to make, break and retry resolutions, or maybe not... Alternatively bring something with beginning with the letter R.

There will also be a coffee morning on the 29th January.

Again invitations will be sent out nearer the time

Image courtesy of - Ian Swankie