Our April meeting

Two sketchy stories: our April meeting

In a change to the scheduled meeting (our best wishes to the Co-op speaker who had to pull out), our very own Lydia stepped in with two short talks – a bit of nerdery and a show and tell.

Adapted from a talk for Nerd Nite London, Pencils – a sketchy story delved into their history by way of smit marking, sourdough, a factory in Tottenham, artisanal pencil sharpening and Q. We raffled a bundle of pencils featured in the talk and joyously, the winner was our President, Heather, who loves beautiful stationery.

After a cake break, Lydia did a show and tell of her project Dispatches from a Small World. Originally a lockdown project, Dispatches reported from Lydia's East London garden in sketches. Lydia chatted through its discoveries, on materials, looking through drawing, finding stories, learning by doing and time.

Pictured above: The pencil talk; Heather winning the raffle (pictures by Alison); the Dispatches talk on screen and Lydia playing with projector selfies. 

Our April coffee morning: Friday 28th April at the Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX

Join us between 10.30 & 11.00 for coffee, chat and the chance to view the Gallery itself and maybe browse the bookshop, with some of the profits going towards the Gallery's future exhibition and education programmes.

EEWI stall at East of London Family History Society AGM

Soup and stories 

We love running the lunch, tea and cake stall at the East of London Family History Society AGM. Held at the airy Mile End Ecology Pavilion, the event is full of good cheer and interesting stories. 

A big thank you to all of the EEWI members who made soup, baked and helped at the stall, and to the East of London Family History Society for inviting us. 

Our April walk

A rebellious walk – Shoreditch and Spitalfields 

With its starting point the book Rebel Footprints, our walk turned into a cheerily curious urban tour. Starting at Shoreditch Church, we explored its pretty gardens, wandered along Shoreditch High Street and turned off through the Boundary Estate to Arnold Circus, sharing knowledge and history as we went. From there, we walked along Brick Lane and through Spitalfields to Christ Church. After a café break, three of us explored the recently-opened Gilbert + George Centre (we recommend) – and thanked Gilbert + George, who were there! 

Many thanks to Natasha for this month's walk. Fancy joining us next month? Look out for our next 'coming up' post.

Coming up in April 2023 – update

Rebels, pencils, garden reporting, a gallery coffee and how to join us – coming up in April 2023

Monthly walk, Saturday 8th April, 11.00 – Meet at St Leonard’s Church, Shoreditch, 119 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JN

Natasha has been reading Rebel Footprints, a fascinating book by David Rosenberg about London's radical history, and that's been our starting point for our April walk. Read more in our April walk blogpost.

Monthly Meeting, Thursday 20th April, St. Margaret’s House, Old Ford Rd, E2 9PL 7.00pm for 7.30pm: 2B or not 2B – the secret life of pencils

Our Co-op speaker has had to cancel so stepping in will be our very own Lydia Thornley, with a talk first given at Nerd Nite London. Lydia likes pencils. People give her pencils. But she hardly ever draws with them. So she's packed her best pencil case and been off to find out more, via sheep, hot air balloons, string, artisan bread and pilots. Lydia will also update us on her project Dispatches from a Small World, reporting from her garden in sketches.

If the gate is locked when you arrive at St Margaret’s there will be a call bell on the right hand side at the back of the gate.

Monthly Coffee Meet-up, Friday 28th April – Join us between 10.30 & 11.00 Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX

Combine a coffee and chat with the chance to view the Gallery itself and maybe browse the bookshop with some of the profits going towards the Gallery's future exhibition and education programmes.

Join us!

Why not consider joining the WI if you don't already belong? April is an especially good month to join the WI

The WI is a unique organisation shaped by its members. In 1915, it set out to give women a voice and to be a force for good in the community.Today, it's the largest women’s organisation in the UK and we pride ourselves on being a trusted place for all women of all generations, to share experiences and learn from each other.

A WI membership offers the opportunity to meet, make friends and make a difference in our community.

Subscription this year is £46 for a whole year’s activities. We are able to offer a bursary to people in financial difficulty. For more information please email us at eastendwi@gmail.com.

Or come along to a few meetings, paying £5 each meeting, and see how you get along. The fee is reduced if you join later in the year.