Our sisterhood continues to grow stronger with numbers with yet another noteworthy turnout at our birthday celebrations and AGM this month. We had to get more tables and chairs out as more wonderful women arrived to give their company with us. The amazing cake made by one member was cut and enjoyed immensely and the wine flowed so fast that we had to send for more.

After a few hiccups getting started the formal proceedings of the AGM went well. The AGM is a very useful meeting for guests to attend because they can get an overall sense of what we do in our WI. Our lovely president read out a heartfelt address to members and the committee. Members voted unanimously to keep our president and committee for another year. One committee member read out a report about our activities over the previous year.

Once these proceedings were finalised the real fun began. As teams we were quizzed on the essential ingredients to a number of dishes from a salmon sandwich to a victoria sponge cake and a full English breakfast to a caesar salad – the ingredients according to Jamie Oliver, Delia Smith and BBC Food (that is all three had the same list). It was very controversial, with some putting chicken in the salad, and hash browns with the breakfast (the English Breakfast Society will be outraged). Everyone had fun and we all learnt something, which for this blog writer, at least, is what life is about.

Next year we reach the epic 10 years. I am already limbering up for the equally epic excitement of that – the DBWI is the absolute best (excuse my bias showing). See you all in June (see poster below).

Group News

Groups are open to members only.  If you want to become a member and access any of our interest groups please email debeauvoirwi@gmail.com.

Culture Club – members enjoyed their first tastes of culture with a visit to St Luke’s, Old Street on the 12th to listen to a lunchtime harp concert and, on the day this is published, to the Rio cinema to watch the film, The Eight Mountains.

The book for May is ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ by Bonnie Garmus. The book group meet on the third Tuesday of every month, which was on the 18th this month.  Please see the group page for details of previous reads.

The BST Walking group will be rambling along the Lea river on Friday the 26th of May.  Please see the group page to see past walks.

Knitting and Stitching continue to meet on a semi regular basis. This month they are planning on getting started on a Christmas postbox topper. Please see the group page here for pictures of the recent Coronation project. Please email for date and time of next session.

Members of the fitness group have been meeting for a few months now to improve fitness and enjoy each other’s company.  Please visit the group page here for more information.

DBWI Campaign News

The 15th to the 21st May will be Mental Health Awareness week. We have nothing official planned to mark it this year. As someone struggling myself at the moment I reach out to all who are finding times challenging. The DBWI is a beacon of comfort and support. Please be kind to yourselves and reach out to friends this week.

The 29th May to the 4th June will be London Rivers week. This will be very relevant if this years resolution is passed at the national conference on the 25th May

Community News

St Peter’s Church, De Beauvoir are continuing to provide a safe and warm place to go on Wednesdays, between 12pm and 4.30pm. Anyone is invited to attend for bingo, crafts (volunteers required), soup and other refreshments, and a film for the little ones in the afternoon. please email simonperfect@stpeterdebeauvoir.org.uk if you are available to volunteer.

We are still accepting donations of toiletries and children’s toys for Solace. Email us to find out where to bring any donations you can provide.