Hello again sisters – members and members to be.

I took a look at my last blog to you all and realised it was all the way back in June.  I must apologise for not keeping you up to date, however I hope that the website has been revised enough that events and opportunities are not being missed.  The home page will be checked regularly which is where you will find out about our venue, important dates, monthly meeting poster and what we do as a WI.  Since taking on a new role as  Climate Ambassador and Public Affairs rep I will likely only be writing a new blog every three months, and this will be another short one due to lack of planning and time management to write a full account of our events and activities.

I will mention briefly of fundraising successes at the Blooms, Bakes and Barks Show and the Christmas Trail, trips to the Alvin Alley dance show at Sadlers Wells and Aladdin in panto at Hackney Empire (some photos below), many outings to the flicks with the Culture Club, and a soirée with the Speaker of Hackney Council including a private tour of the town hall.

The last blog did report that we had one of our largest turnouts ever, with a queue that we had to unfortunately turn away (because of limited capacity for the clay workshop). Since then we have had a wide and interesting variety of meetings, in order Yoga, our summer social at the De Beauvoir Block (more about this below), British Sign Language, delicious doughnuts, and bath bombs made with kitchen cupboard ingredients, which have drawn 18 new sisters (members) into our family.  How amazing that we go from strength to strength as we get closer to our 10^th birthday.

As is our tradition we will be ending the year with the Brainy Birds Quiz.  This is always well researched, and written to be challenging, amusing and mind boggling all at once. One day they will be legendary I am certain.  There is a rumour that there will be a special surprise for the victors this year too.  It will be our final meeting at St Peter’s Church, which I think is both sad and exciting.  Sad because we have been at the church since we began, exciting to make a change and experiment with new surroundings. Earlier I mentioned that we held our summer social at the De Beauvoir Block.  We enjoyed the space a lot and have been lucky enough to secure it as our new venue for 2024.  Look out for the update on the homepage before January.

Your committee has  more fantastic meetings and activities already lined up so keep an eye on the website and our social media to stay up to date.  We hope many of you can make it on Thursday, but if not we wish you many festive wishes for however you celebrate this time of year, and a happy New Year.  Stay warm, keep smiling, and if you have a friend or neighbour who will be alone reach out to them, share a cup of tea and a mince pie and show them the love they deserve.