Step into January’s meeting and put your best foot forward in fabulous shoes (tap or sturdy soles to make some sound).  After the excesses of the festive period, let us get moving again with some jazzy assistance from the founder of The London Tap Academy, Claire Miller.

Tap originates from the early 19th Century, according to https://www.cultureoncall.com/a-brief-history-of-tap/ mixing together African and Irish American dance forms.  Apparently when slaves had their traditional percussion instruments taken away they began expressing themselves with the movements of tap dancing.

It gained popularity during the Civil War and into the 20th Century, being performed at minstrel and Vaudeville variety shows.  Tap dance sequences became staple features of movies and television between the 1930’s and 1950’s, and star names, such as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, probably helped raise the appeal of tap dancing during their careers.

But tap dance is accessible and fun for all ages and abilities.  The movement and exercise that the dance encourages, alone, will lift our moods and help us get fitter.  Hopefully, it will get us laughing too.

*At the time of publishing it seems likely that this meeting will be taking place on Zoom.  Please look out for updates or contact us at the usual address (see poster above) for more information

UPDATE at 8.15pm on Monday 3rd January 2022 – It has been confirmed that the Tap Dancing workshop will be taking place on Zoom starting at the usual time of 7.30pm. Please email the address on the poster above if you would like a link to this meeting.

At all meetings

Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month in the Crypt at St Peter’s Church, De Beauvoir, starting at 7.30pm.  Sisters take it in turns to serve delicious refreshments, including tea and cake, wine, and assorted snacks from the kitchen.  Meetings are free to members, or only £5 for guests (price includes tea/coffee and cake).  Come and join us for a chance to catch up with friends old and new.

Covid compliance notice (if meetings are held in person)

The terrace doors and windows will be open for ventilation purposes.

We are asking sisters to wear masks on the way in (unless exempt) and at the sign in desk, and our committee members at the sign in desk and on refreshments will be wearing masks while on duty there.  We will have hand sanitiser available and please also bring your own.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival. National Federation advice asks for members to do a lateral flow test before attending meetings (these are available free at pharmacies) and only attend if negative.  Please do not attend if you are experiencing symptoms or have been asked to self isolate.

Book Group

The next book for all the enthusiastic bibliophiles is Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P Manansala.  Keep an eye on the Book Group page for confirmation on the date and venue for the next group.

Walking Group

Due to the Solace walking in January (more information at the end of this post) it has been decided to move the walking group winter jaunt into mid Feb. Look out for more details in the coming weeks.

End of Year successes

The collection for Solace was fantastic (see pics below).  Thank you to everyone who donated, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Everything sold out at the Christmas Trail stall.  With the proceeds we were able to make a welcome donation to Solace.

The Community Café was well attended and all the food prepared and served by our wonderful volunteers went down well, thank you ladies.  See them showing off their fashionable DBWI aprons below.

Save The Dates

The Great Get Together

UPDATE: ‘Games and Cake’ event CANCELLED due to Covid guidance. Instead we invite you to a special organised group walk on Sunday 23rd January. Please meet us at St Peter’s Church, Northchurch Terrace, De Beauvoir where we will be setting off at 2pm. We are aiming to walk the original historical De Beauvoir and the new, additional Hoxton loop with notes pointing out places of historic interest wonderfully provided by our resident historian and Islington ad Clerkenwell guide Lesley. It can be a 1, 2 or 4 mile walk. with places on route where you can finish and head off if you want to. We aim to finish at 3pm or 4pm for the longer walk, and meeting up around De Beauvoir Square. Here you will be welcomed with a slice of cake. This is our contribution to The Great January Get Together, an initiative that was set up in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox, and which aims to celebrate the spirit of community and help to alleviate loneliness. All members and non-members are welcome.

On Sunday 23rd January join us for ‘Games and Cake’ at the Crypt (see poster).  The Great Get Together is an initiative set up by the Jo Cox foundation to celebrate the spirit of community and alleviate loneliness.  At 2.30pm – 5.00pm come along and meet friends old and new to shake of the winter blues.

*Please check back here for any updates regarding Covid guidance which may mean some amendments to this event.

Solace 40

We are very excited to be taking part in the Solace 40 challenge again this year. More information about this important initiative can be found on the Solace website here.

A Just Giving page has been set up at justgiving.com/fundraising/debeauvoirwi22. Please come out and give your support on any, or all, of the Saturdays in January – the 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th – at 11am. The meeting place is still to be confirmed so please check back for updates.

We hope you have all enjoyed a safe and wonderful Christmas and wish you all well as we enter a new year. We look forward to more fun and frivolity in 2022 in whichever method we can get together.