Meetings in 2022
December - Winter social We were superbly entertained by the tenor, Harry Kersley, who sang a selection of Christmas music, songs from the shows and popular favourites. We also had an opportunity to socialise and buy Christmas goodies from the craft stall. The proceeds from the stall go to our chosen charities, local food banks.
November - Christmas Seasonal Card Workshop Sue O'Hea, from the Essex Branch of the National Guild of Silk Painters, led us in a relaxing evening painting our own silk Christmas cards.
October - Fingerspelling and Fingersmiths Theatre Group Jeni Draper, Artistic Director talked about her journey to working with the drama group Fingersmiths, which includes members with hearing disabilities and showed us how to fingerspell.
September - Wanstead Long Horn Cattle John Philips, Grazing and Landscape Officer, Corporation of London gave a fascinating and informative talk about the cattle in Wanstead Park. He explained how the cattle are selected for grazing in the park and the positive impact of the cows on bio-diversity and improving the overall health of the land. He also told us how the monitoring system worked, enabling him to track the cows' location.
August - Summer Social Members enjoyed a picnic and the opportunity to socialise in the Church grounds.
July - Rivers of London - John Rogers John is a local psycho-geographer who talked about local rivers which run partly underground, including the Fillebrook, the Ching and Dagenham Brook. Subsequent to the meeting, he led a walk for members following the path of the Fillebrook.
June - Craft evening Thanks are due to Cathy and Gill, who led a fun craft evening teaching us how to make macrame leaves, with great success!
May - Annual Meeting We reviewed our activities and finances in 2021 and re-elected the current Committee. We also voted on the NFWI resolution for 2022, on provision for girls with ADHD. Jane Williams from the Magpie project, our charity of the year for 2021, attended the meeting to receive our cheque and our old laptop. She thanked us on behalf of the Magpie project and explained what the money might be used for. Following this, Kathy had arranged a quiz, which all the teams enjoyed.
April - Groove - Jane Mallen Jane Mallen led us through some fun dance exercise routines.
March - The Life of Thomas Harriot Ann Mills, MCIPD, FRAS, gave a fascinating presentation on the science of the Elizabethan Age, astronomy , navigation and exploration of the New World. We will be visiting Syon House, where Harriot lived at the home of his sponsor, Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, in June.
February - Pearly Kings and Queens Doreen Golding, BEM, Pearly Queen of Old Kent Road and Bow Bells gave an amusing talk on the history and charitable work of Pearly Kings and Queens, including anecdotes from her own experience.