2023 Monthly meeting programme
January - Mercy Ships - Dr Leo Cheng
Dr Cheng gave a very interesting, emotional and graphically illustrated talk about his work as a volunteer aboard a Mercy ship. Dr Cheng and his colleagues provide maxillio-facial surgery to patients in Africa, most of whom suffer severe facial disfigurement. Many hide away from society as a result. The surgery enables them to lead normal lives.
We also voted on the WI resolutions and Wanstead gave.a majority vote for Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife.
We also voted on the WI resolutions and Wanstead gave.a majority vote for Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife.
February Mudlarking - Vanessa Bunton, archaeologist from the Thames Explorer Trust
Vanessa gave a fascinating presentation on the history of London, as evidenced by finds from the Thames foreshore. She explained that all mudlarkers require a licence from the Port of London Authority. There are a limited number of licences and mudlarkers have to abide by certain regulations when searching the foreshore. She showed a small selection of her finds.
March Fine Cell Work - Jane Nairn, prison volunteer and quilter
Volunteers teach prisoners sewing skills that help them to rehabilitate and rebuild their lives to give them a better future. Jane's talk gave a great insight into the value of enabling prisoners with skills to produce high end products within the prison system.Her presntation included staistics about the prison population and the high peprcentage of reoffending..Inmates who took part in the needlework groups when released were less likely to reoffend. Items produced by the groups were available to purchase at the meeting.
A discussion was held to choose the Charity to be supported in 2023. The final decision was adjourned to the April meeting.
April - Spring Social
The Spring Social saw the return of the pot luck buffet for the first time since December 2019 it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying all the lovely dishes provided by the members. It also gave people more time to socialise with each other.. A vote was held to choose the charity we will be supporting in 2023 and there was a unanimous vote to support the Amyloidosis Society in memory of our former President Christine.
May - Annual Meeting
At the Annual Meeting the activities of the previous year were reviewed and the committee was elected.. After the official business was concluded a quiz was held which kept all the members brain cells working.
June - Women's Football: 50 Years Gone in a Flash - Patricia Gregory
Patricia gave an informative and interesting talk about her involvement in Womens football from the early 60's to the present day at all levels from forming and playing in a team, a founding member & senior officer of the Womens Football Association before it was taken over by the FA. She played an integral part in developing Womens Football in England,with top flight proffesional teams and this culminated in the National team winning the European Cup in 2022.
July - The Women of the Progress Estate - Lynne Dixon
At short notice Lynne gave am interesting talk about the Women of the Progress Estate during WW1 a highly acclaimed estate built for the workers of the Woolwich Arsenal.
August - Summer Social
The weather played nice and we were able to have our planned picnic on the lawn. It was lovely to see so many members socialising together in the late evening sunshine. The return of the ice cream van was a great success.
September - A Fool’s Gold: A History of British Saffron - Sam Bilton
Sam is a food writer and she gave an enjoyable talk in which we learnt about the history of Saffron growing in the British Isles. She brought along some baked saffron treats made from archive recipes for us to try..
October - Seasonal craft workshop
Some of our own members lead a craft evening in which we were shown how to create felted Poppies at this time of remembrance..
November - Guardians of the Lights : The World of the Lighthouse Keeper - Mark Lewis, author and lecturer
Mark spoke about the daily life of the men and the few women who guarded the Light Houses of the UK both off & on shore until the last one became automated in 1998. It was a an arduous and isolated life with an unhappy ending for some.
December - Winter Social
Penny Manser from the Upbeat Choir along with three professional musician friends provided us with some lovely seasonal entertainment it was a mixture of well loved songs and lesser known ones..It was a great evening of friends & food and we were invited to join the singers in some of their songs. A great start to the festive season.
The WWI Resolutions were brought to the attention of the members before the vote at the meeting in January 2024.
The WWI Resolutions were brought to the attention of the members before the vote at the meeting in January 2024.