The Art Of Foraging

We have been trying to find someone to host a foraging workshop for us for a number of months and were delighted Wendy, a WI sister from East Edge Sisters (East Ham) and a founder of London Bushcraft could join us for a foraging workshop this month. London Bushcraft offers an escape to a countryside experience while still in London with the only bushcraft company based in the capital.

We learnt an enormous amount about foraging for plants with some delightful recipes, foraging tips, gardening tips and the medicinal properties of various plants. Foraging is very calming and excellent for your mental health especially during the recent lock down; Wendy informed us that she regularly visits her local forest, in Epping, to forage and consequently rarely needed to go food shopping during lockdown.  We could look to arranging foraging trips in the future if that is something that you would like to do.

Wendy believes that bushcraft is very much needed in a society that has in some ways drifted away from its ancestral and natural roots. It provides people with an opportunity to connect with the world around them more fully – and sometimes also a part of themselves they have never come into contact with before.

WHATSAPP WI GROUP

We are in the process of setting up a WhatsApp group for members to keep in touch.  It’s a great way to keep connected and to arrange more spontaneous and intimate gatherings as we are still not yet able to meet at The Crypt, so a number of members have been enjoying impromptu walks, blackberry picking as well as a forum for sharing what we are up to and things that have interested, entertained or inspired us.  If you are a member and would like to  join the DBWI WhatsApp group, you need to have the app on your phone (it’s free to download) and then email us at debeauvoirwi@gmail.com and we will add you to the group.

BOOK GROUP

The next book group is scheduled for Tuesday 15th September, we are reading your duck is my duck by Deborah Eisenberg, book group will be held via zoom.

Other news from De Beauvoir WI

We asked our members to think about a design for a square to place on the national WI banner to celebrate the WI centenary in 2021, something to reflect our WI. The size of the patch is A5 (21.2cm by 15cm.)

Our jam making video is still in production but watch this space.

From De Beauvoir Town (Hackney) Community on Facebook

The De Beauvoir Community foodbank is still deliverying locally if you would like to drop of any donations.  It is open Tuesday to Friday 12 – 2pm at 23 Englefield Road. Any surplus will be delivered onto the Hackney Food Bank.

Looking for local updates….

The De Beauvoir Association who run Party In The Park every year also publish a regular weekly newsletter with loads of fantastic information about what’s going on around De Beauvoir, virtual programmes for both kids and adults and information about Hackney council and local businesses that are operating in new and innovative ways throughout this crisis.

Sign up here at https://www.debeauvoir.org.uk

Solace Women’s Aid Update

As we are not meeting face to face and as all the Solace staff are working from home, it is not possible to continue with our regular collections for them at present.

They have launched a major fundraising campaign #staysafeathome

You may have seen in the news recently that there has been an exponential rise in domestic violence incidents during this crisis.  Their campaign aims to raise £150,000 to enable them to do everything they can to ensure their doors stay open throughout this worrying time, to make sure women and children can still receive the support they urgently need.

Their refuges are still open and providing life-changing and life-saving support to women with nowhere else to turn,

Their helpline team and all staff are answering the phones so women have someone to talk to and;

Their community advocacy teams are working tirelessly to make sure, no matter where they are, London is safe for women and their children.

You can donate by clicking the link below, any donation, however small, will help them to continue the amazing work they do to keep women and children safe.

https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/12477#!/DonationDetails

If you have donated already or are planning to donate you might also like to contact Seedlings For Solace that will match your donation with seedlings that you can then plant out in your garden. You can contact Seedlings For Solace on Instagram @seedlingsforsolace