East End WI

Meet George Major on Thursday 18th July to hear about the Pearly history. George is the Pearly King of Peckham and was drawn into the Pearly King tradition from the age of seven. He is an enthusiastic speaker of the Pearly history; and will tell us about the origins of the Pearly Kings and Queens, the reason behind the iconic suits and maybe even get us all involved in a cockney singalong! As usual we will meet at St Margaret’s Hall, behind the Gallery Cafe, 21 Old Ford Rd, E2 9PL - from 7pm, we will start the meeting around 7.30. Enter via the black gate to the left of the cafe and walk right around the garden. Entry for members is free and visitors are asked for £5.00. There is a donation tin for refreshments. Our coffee morning is on 26th July (please check your diaries as I put the wrong date last month’s newsletter, it is definitely Friday 26th not Sunday 28th!). We will meet at The Chelsea Physic Garden, at 11am (admission £11), when the garden opens to the general public. Amanda Claremont, who came to talk to us last year, should be there to welcome us and if there are enough of us will give us a personal tour.   *** Other events in July: 12th July is our next Chisenhale coffee morning and curator’s tour, on their latest exhibition by London and Amsterdam based artist, Ima-Abasi Okon. To find out more about the exhibition clickhere. 14th July between 1-5pm EEWI will be selling cakes and soft drinks at The Women’s Hall Garden Party, which will be celebrating the East London Federation of Suffragettes, at Victoria Park Bandstand.  Please contact Natasha if you can help with cakes or on the day. (0770 101 5588). We will also be having a committee meeting on Thursday 25thfrom 6.30pm.  If you are interested in coming let us know and we will advise where we are meeting.   ***   Janet's last quilting exhibition this summer is with the New Horizons Textile Group, at Christ Church Hall, Wanstead Place, E11 2SW on the 13th July, 11-4pm. Plastic Free Roman Road are planning a Summer Sew-a-thon, a series of workshops over the summer to make the bags from fabric that would otherwise go to waste.  Click here to go to their FB page for more information on what they are up to and how to contact them.