it's all a bit of a blur

You had to be there to understand.

Scottie from Swing Patrol* was a marvellous teacher - charming, patient and beautifully turned out.

And we tried really hard to shimmy. Feet flying, arms variously akimbo and up in the air.  When Julie sent me the photos she took she said they were a bit blurry, but I  don't think it was the light levels, we were just moving so fast. And it's still a bit of a blur. I mean, which foot went forward first, and when exactly did you have to put your arms up?

That was only one of the things we got our feet round in September. We served tea and cakes at Tea Dance in Queen Elizabeth Park with Laura and Adzove from  Forest Gate WI*. It rained, but as we were inside a pod made of recycled materials we only got wet when we ventured out to join the few intrepid dancers who managed to find us in the deluge.

We had a tea stall at Park Life where they just about managed to parade the lovely dogs before it rained again.

On the quiet days, we had coffee at Stepney City Farm, a lovely bookclub evening at Annie's, some knitting and nattering at the Coborn.

And then, we worked our socks off baking all week and running the tea stall  for two days at Countryside Live where we sold gallons of tea and mountains of cake until by late Sunday afternoon...

Massive thanks to everyone who made September so memorable, even if it went by in a flash - to all our talented and hardworking bakers and tea makers (you know who you are);' to Scott and Swing Patrol; to Sophie or inviting us to the tea dance; to the Friends of Mile End Park and the lovely chaps at Park Life who shared their power with us; and to the fabulous Lee Valley staff  - Naomi, Amy, and Tom who drove me home to get more cake - who shared dancing sheep and pretty otters with us on Leyton Marshes on such a fine September weekend.

So, on to October - see our next post coming right up.

* If you fancy learning how to dance, you'll find Swing Patrol at Royal Inn on the Park, Victoria Park

** There's an inspiring article in the latest WI Life about Forest Gate's efforts to save the High Street

the green man seal of approval

Yes - it's an EEWI cake he's enjoying there. 

We're at Countryside Live again tomorrow. The Green Man may even have left some cake for you to buy too. 

countryside live

Countryside 

Live 

Sat 28 - Sun 29 September 

10:00 – 17:00 

Children FREE 

Adults £4 

This family friendly event has something for all ages and all 

interests - so why not join us for a countryside weekend and 

enjoy the many shows, exhibitors and activities on offer. 

Activities include: 

 Dancing sheep show 

 Sheep dog displays 

 Ferret racing 

 Willow weaving 

 Falconry displays 

 Corn dolly making 

 Farm animals 

 Art marquee 

 Blacksmithing 

 Otters 

 Bats 

 Bees 

and your very own East End WI selling tea and cakes!

Start your adventure at 

visitleevalley.org.uk 

Leyton Marsh (behind Lee Valley Ice Centre), Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7QL

Come and say hello. Details here.

Knit and Natter!

It's Knit & Natter time! Bring along your unfinished knitting projects, your tapestries and your paper-craft - or anything else you have on the go.

We'll be meeting this Thursday 26th of September from 6.30 – 8.30pm. 

We're meeting at The Coborn Arms, 8 Coborn Road, Mile End, London E3 2DA. Click here for a map.

This EEWI-inspired group is open to anyone who feels like popping in with a project - knitting or otherwise. It will be a casual meeting, and everyone is invited – not only knitters! Bring along your stitching or paper crafts, or simply join us for a few drinks and a good catch-up. New knitters are welcome too.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

getting in the swing of september

Don't despair if you're missing the heat and sunshine. After a blistering summer, and a lovely relaxed and chatty meeting in August, we're going to warm you up with a little bit of action this month. So press your swishy skirts and polish your dancing shoes because we'll be learning a few moves with Swing Patrol's Scott Cuprit at our evening meeting on Tuesday 17th September. If you came along in January to Clare Hair's vintage hair styling session, you may even want to have a go at a fancy hairdo to go with your dancing togs. We think it will be a lot of fun. As usual we'll be warming up from 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Guests are very welcome  -we only ask for a £4 donation to cover costs. We'll bring refreshments, including wine, though do please feel free to share something too if you wish.

For our coffee morning - 10.30am on Friday 20th September - we'll be going to Stepney City Farm, Stepney Way E1 3DG, our own little bit of the countryside but with better coffee. Map here. Buses 309 or 339 will drop you nearby, or you can walk from Stepney Green tube or Limehouse DLR (7 minutes walk according to TFL, but that'll depend on how quickly you walk!). 


We've also got a book club meeting lined up for Monday 16th September to discuss Sarah Dunant's In the Company of the Courtesan (contact us for info on venue). And you're welcome to join us for Knit and Natter on Thursday 26th September at the Coborn Arms, Coborn Road E3 from 6.30 -8.30pm. And check the side-bar for information on the events where we are running cake stalls this month. It would be good if you can help.

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all, so hope you can make it. Still got a little bit of catching up to do since I got back from holiday, so look out for more info on your favourite local shops here on the blog soon.

Park Life!

august meetings: hot air and bugs

It's been an unexpectedly hot summer and, for me, that's meant lots of days away from home to escape from the incessant noise and dust of builders next door. So we thought that at our next meeting on 20th August we'd give everyone a chance to let off some steam, share those bothersome issues, large or small, and have some mini debates. Is Page 3 of the Sun old news, or is it about time it was stopped? Is it right that charities are always asking us to give more? Does bread made in a breadmaker really count as real bread? And how hairy should women really be?

 So what's bugging you? Come and start a discussion, or just join in.  We'll have a few tables dotted around, something cooling to drink, and you can join in when and where you want.  Very informal and definitely no standing up in front of a crowd. Do come along and let's have a conversation.  As usual we'll be at St Margaret's House, Old Ford Road, E2. Doors open from 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Refreshments will be available, though feel free to bring something to share if you wish. Members free, £4 visitors.

Oops - I almost forgot! By popular request, we're also having another food swap.  Just like the very jolly - and tasty -  swap we had in June, just bring along your home made goods or home grown stuff and swap it with your mates for something equally delicious... or courgettes.  Nothing to swap? Just watch the fun instead.   .

We also have an interesting coffee morning lined up this month too.  Chisenhale Art Gallery have invited us to have coffee at the gallery on Thursday 22nd August so we have a chance to see the latest exhibition and hear the story of the Broken Hill skull. Meet us at the gallery (64 Chisenhale Road, E3 5QZ) at 10.30am, have a cup of tea or coffee, a small bite of something, and discover something new. All welcome, and it's free!

PS That photo? Plastic junk from the River Thames. Don't get me started...