Our February talk

School meals changing lives – our February talk by Molly Lee-Moy from Mary’s Meals

Mary’s Meals is a global charity that serves life-changing school meals to some of the world’s poorest children. 

Started 1992 by Magnus Macfarlane Barrow, a salmon farmer in Scotland, it was originally an emergency disaster response for the Bosnian war zone.

Donations, 'little acts of kindness', filled the garden shed and the charity developed its long term work to provide food in schools. In Malawi in 2002, it reached 2.6 million children.

Mary's Meals delivers through local partner organisations in 16 countries in Africa, India, the Middle East and South America.

50% of the children supported are girls.

In the UK, Mary's Meals employs almost 80 staff, with its focus on awareness-raising and fundraising.

Many thanks to Molly for telling us the story of Mary's Meals and the wonderful work that it does. Find out more here.

Thanks to Christine, too, for taking this month's pictures and notes.

Our monthly coffee and catch-up: Friday 28th February at the Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood). Meet between 10.30am and 11.00am

Our January coffee at the Young V&A scuppered by a temporary closure, we look forward to returning to this lively museum.

A quick look at the museum may be in order for a look at childhoods past, its modern displays and a browse in its fabulous new gift shop.

Bethnal Green tube and bus stops nearby.

Our February walk

A Wapping walk – our February walk, from Shadwell to Tower Hill

Following the Tower Hamlets Walks Wapping and Shadwell walk backwards, we started our walk at Shadwell, pausing to admire the Cable Street Mural – and its facing book swap and bench. 

We cut through St George's Gardens, past the Hawksmoor church St George-in-the-East, Tobacco Dock and the historic pub The Prospect of Whitby and (thanks to local knowledge from Daryl and two friendly dog-walkers) found open passages to the river, passing the Metropolitan Police marine police headquarters and museum along the way.

Our river view towards Tower Bridge was like a magic lantern slide, low cloud and drizzle hiding the tower blocks.

Next, two Wendy Taylor sculptures, the first, Voyager, based on an 1850 design for a propeller and the second a memorial to the East London civilians killed and injured in World War II, and to those who lost relatives, friends and homes.

In St Katherine's Dock, we spotted Gloriana, the late Queen's barge and braced against the cold and rain, headed for welcome hot drinks. 

Fancy joining one of our walks? Look out for our next Coming up blogpost, here on our home page. And if you weren't able to join us this time but would like to do the walk or find out more, you can find the leaflet here.

Pictures by Lydia and Christine

Coming up in February

Coming up in February: a Wapping walk, life-changing school meals and exploring childhood over coffee

Our monthly walk: Saturday 8th February, 11.00, Wapping and Shadwell

Suggested by our walking group, this month’s walk is one of the Idea Store series of local history walks. We will be doing the Wapping and Shadwell walk, in reverse. Meet at the entrance to Shadwell overground station (Windrush Line) on Cable Street.

We’ll get to see some wonderful historic places: The Captain Kidd, the Dickens Inn, The Prospect of Whitby, The Town of Ramsgate… and that's just the inns. There are also wharves, docks, churches and historic houses.

If you're a member, check the walkers' WhatsApp group for up to date info on the day.

Our monthly meeting: a talk by Molly Lee-Moy from Mary’s Meals, Thursday 20th February, 7pm for 7.30pm at St Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Rd, London E2 9PL, entrance via the gates

Molly Lee-Moy is London and South East representative for Mary’s Meals, a global charity that serves life-changing school meals to some of the world’s poorest children. Its aim is to attract children into the classroom where they can gain an education and a brighter future. 

If you are coming to one of our meetings for the first time, please contact us for more details on access to our venue.

Our monthly coffee and catch-up: Friday 28th February at the Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood). Meet between 10.30am and 11.00am

Our January coffee at the Young V&A scuppered by a temporary closure, we look forward to returning to this lively museum, where it promises to be warm whatever the weather.

A quick look at the museum may be in order for a look at childhoods past, its modern displays and a browse in its fabulous new gift shop.

Bethnal Green tube and bus stops nearby.