After an interesting 2016 – in so many ways – I thought I would write to wish everyone a Happy New Year and let you know what EEWI have lined up for January. 17th January Meeting – ‘From Copses to Corpses’. Sophie Churchill, OBE PhD FICFor, will be speaking to us, she has worked in forestry for many years and is the first female President of the Royal Forestry Society. She will also talk about - The Corpse Project, which she also is heading up, In addition we will discuss and take a decision on which of the WI’s resolutions, we as a group, will vote for.  The choices are: Alleviating loneliness FGM: More awareness for more action Equal access for all who need specialised maternal mental health services Provision of appropriate welfare and safe spaces for women & children in refugee camps Supporting women’s refuges Plastic soup: Keep microplastic fibres out of our oceans More details of the proposals can be found on the WI’s website and the most recent WI Life. If anyone has a particular interest in any of these proposals and wants to speak for 3-5 minutes to promote the issue, please come prepared. As usual we will meet from 7 for 7.30 start at St Margaret’s Hall, reached by going through the garden. Memberships Being January it is also time to renew your membership, fees for the year are £39.00. This can be done at the meeting, or if you want to pay via a bank transfer our banking details are:- Lloyds    Sort code 30-94-57    A/c 02044729 And please email  eastendwi@hotmail.co.uk to confirm that you have joined/renewed so we can keep track of who has paid...   20th January coffee morning we will meet from 10.30 at The Larder,  241-243 Globe Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 0JD   24th January we will hold our first committee meeting of the year, starting at 6.30 venue TBC. These meetings are open to all EEWI members, and we always welcome new committee members to help share the load, spread our skills and learn new ones!

Sorry I am just learning how to update this - so will post a more up-to-date newsletter/blog  for 2017 shortly!

It was October - nights are drawing in, and it's time for a warm, creative and enjoyable evening with EEWI. This month, Jill will be guiding us in making lino cuts, so bring an apron or a big shirt to cover and protect clothes. We meet next on Tuesday, 18th October at St Margaret's Hall, 7.00 for 7.30 start. Any contributions of refreshments are welcomed. Natasha will be far away on the other side of the States, and Sioban will be hosting for the evening. We will be collecting gifts for U-Turn - these are always appreciated and this is our last opportunity to show our support before the project closes. We are all invited to their party on 7th December 12- 4 p.m., with lunch served about 1.00 p.m. We can help make it something special, giving everyone the opportunity to say 'Goodbye'. Coffee morning - Friday 21st at Chesterfields 345 Roman Road from 10.30. Everyone is also welcome to Chisenhale Art Gallery for coffee and a tour of their latest exhibition from 9.00 a.m. on Thursday 20th. Plans for future meetings: November 15th. Teresa will talk about the Bird Yarn Knitting Project for the Walthamstow Wetlands, which are opening in 2017. Deirdre Nelson, the artist involved with the project, is well-known in knitting circles. We will also be introducing you to Twiddle Muffs. Coffee morning:18th November Quarantacinque 45 Roman Road - three doors west of the London Buddhist Centre. November 3rd. We will forward you the publicity and invitation to the De Beauvoir Strictly Dancing celebration at the Crypt Cafe, St Peter's Church, North Church Terrace, N1 4DA, 7.30-9.30. Entrance is free for all our members as we have contributed to the costs. December 20th. Christmas Party. Bring along a song, a dance, a poem, a joke or anything else to entertain us all. Coffee morning: 23rd December at the Geffrye Museum. 10.30 a.m. Everyone who comes is a guest of EEWI. January 17th look forward to Sophie Hill on, 'From Copses to Corpses'. Coffee morning to be advised. February 21st. A talk about East End housing from the Local History Library. March 21st. Graham Barker on walks, and exploring the East End.