Happy New Year to all sisters and yet to be sisters.  Hopefully, 2023 has gotten off to positive beginnings for most.  To anyone who may have experienced the winter bugs doing the annual rounds, hopefully you are on the mend now and not too worse for wear.  Otherwise, we send our wishes that you get well soon so we can see your radiant faces at Feb’s meeting where we will be getting active with dance.  Your DBWI has a history of trying out new dancing and this month we will be trying Bollywood with a beautiful instructor, Neha Steinberg (see poster below).  Doing some brief research I found out that the word ‘Bollywood’ is the name given to the Indian film industry and is derived from ‘Bombay’ (which we now know as Mumbai) and ‘Hollywood’.  The Bollywood dancing style seen in films is a fusion of many classical and contemporary dance styles such as traditional Indian, belly dance, hip-hop and jazz.  It is highly theatrical and a wonderful way to freely express ourselves and connect with others.  There are no set rules or restrictions so anyone can join in and enjoy being themselves. 

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

Please continue to follow the DBWI precautions regarding Covid.  We would also encourage everyone to book their next jab when called to do so. 

In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  Now the temperatures have dropped it is too cold to keep the windows and doors open in the crypt.  Therefore, if you feel unwell at all, or live with someone who has Covid, please do not come along to the meeting as a number of our members are vulnerable.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

This group is usually held on the third Tuesday of a month at a pub.  The book of the month is announced at the monthly meetings and are usually around 300 pages in length.  You can sign up at the meeting or email if interested.  For further details please visit the page on the website.

BST Walking Group

The walking group is now in hibernation for the winter.  There is a WhatsApp group remaining open for people to arrange impromptu walks whenever the rambling bug speaks to them.  Ask about this via the usual email or at the meetings. Please see the group page on the website for information and pics of previous walks.

Knitting Group

The knitting group is meeting again when a project idea comes to mind.  If anyone has any ideas for projects or can host an evening for crafting, please email the usual address You can also request to be added to the WhatsApp group for regular updates. 

News

Warm Wednesdays

Volunteers are still being welcomed for Warm Wednesdays at St Peter’s Church.  In particular anyone who can lead some knitting or other craft activities.  Please email simonperfect@stpeterdebeauvoir.org.uk directly if you can assist with this.  The church has a box of wool, we can provide needles. pom pom makers and other craft materials if you have ideas.  Email the address on the poster for this.  If you can donate any board games or offer a financial contribution then these will also be gratefully received.

Community Café

On Friday the 24th of February the DBWI will be hosting the community café in the crypt of St Peter’s Church.  Please email us if you can cook a meal, dessert, or help serve and clear up on the day.

Solace Women’s Aid

We will be collecting donations for Solace again this year.  They would like donations of the following items. Please bring donations along to the meeting.

• Toiletries
• Gift sets
• Gloves
• Hats
• Scarves
• Socks
• Games
• Headphones
• Make up
• Children’s toys.
• Store gift vouchers.

Campaigns

We will be making short presentations of the new campaign resolutions at the February meeting and will be asking members to vote.  The deadline for selections is Tuesday 14th February.  You can look at details of the four resolutions on the campaigns page here.  We will also be putting out a list of other active campaigns to gather a tally of interest in becoming more active for important causes.   

Recruitment

The DBWI committee have been discussing ways in which we can grow membership and welcome new sisters to the fold.  In the next few months we will be compiling a questionnaire to distribute but in the meantime would like to invite you to tell us what you think we do well and what we can improve upon.  Email your comments to the usual address (on the poster at the top).

As always we wish you all health and happiness until we next meet.

Another new year is approaching fast and, as you amazing women reading this already know, it is going to one of continued hardship and ‘tightening-of-the-purse-strings’ for so many.  In the past DBWI’s January meetings have often been about getting our bodies moving and shedding pounds after the usual festive indulgence.  This year we will be having a speaker from Plastic Free Hackney teaching us how to keep hold of some pounds by making our own cleaning products using ingredients we will likely already have in our cupboards.  For more information prior to the event please see this link to their web page with downloadable PDF’s of instructions.  This meeting also ties well with national WI campaigns around reducing plastic consumption and climate change.

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

Please continue to follow the DBWI precautions regarding Covid.  We would also encourage everyone to book their next jab when called to do so. 

In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  Now the temperatures have dropped it is too cold to keep the windows and doors open in the crypt.  Therefore, if you feel unwell at all, or live with someone who has Covid, please do not come along to the meeting as a number of our members are vulnerable.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

This group is usually held on the third Tuesday of a month at a pub.  The book of the month is announced at the monthly meetings and are usually around 300 pages in length.  You can sign up at the meeting or email if interested.  For further details please visit the page on the website.

BST Walking Group

The walking group is now in hibernation for the winter.  There is a WhatsApp group remaining open for people to arrange impromptu walks whenever the rambling bug speaks to them.  Ask about this via the usual email or at the meetings. Please see the group page on the website for information and pics of previous walks.

Knitting Group

The knitting group is meeting again when a project idea comes to mind.  If anyone has any ideas for projects or can host an evening for crafting, please email the usual address You can also request to be added to the WhatsApp group for regular updates. 

News and Updates

De Beauvoir Christmas Trail

The Christmas Sale Trail was a triumphant success.  We sold out of all products and made a healthy profit to put towards an exciting 2023 programme.  Everyone who made jams, preserves, bakes and crafts did a fantastic job, and we are very grateful for your contributions.

Warm Wednesdays

From the 7th of December until the end of February 2023, St Peter’s Church will be opening up as a warm place for people to spend a day over winter, helping with reducing  Between 10am and 5pm there will be bingo, board games, crafts, and a children’s film screening in the afternoon.  At 12pm the kitchen in the crypt will serve a free soup lunch.  The church are asking for donations of board games and financial donations if people can afford to do so.  You can email simonperfect@stpeterdebeauvoir.org.uk for details on how to donate.The DBWI have thought of some simple crafts and agreed to facilitate the craft table when we have members available.  If you can spare some time on any Wednesday then please let us know by emailing the usual address.  

Solace Women’s Aid

We will be collecting donations for Solace again this year.  They would like donations of the following items. Please bring donations along to the meeting or email us to find out where to bring them.

• Toiletries
• Gift sets
• Gloves
• Hats
• Scarves
• Socks
• Games
• Headphones
• Make up
• Children’s toys.
• Store gift vouchers.

Campaigns

New campaign resolutions will be on the website soon.  In the meantime I have looked at all active national campaigns and will be putting out a list at the next three meetings to determine whether members would be interested in focussing on any throughout the year.  Obviously we do already highlight causes with amazing yarn bombs but I hope that we can do more for one or two.

Recruitment

The DBWI committee have been discussing ways in which we can grow membership and welcome new sisters to the fold.  In the next few months we will be compiling a questionnaire to distribute but in the meantime would like to invite you to tell us what you think we do well and what we can improve upon.  Email your comments to the usual address (on the poster at the top).

We wish you all a warm and safe festive season and look forward to welcoming you back next year.

The festive season is a time of fun, laughter, and traditions.  The DBWI tradition is our annual quiz, Brainy Birds.  The quiz women have been meeting together to compile the questions for a few weeks (I think that’s right, anyway) now.  The rest of us simply need to polish our silver matter, come along, join a team and revel in our superior intellects.  It is a battle to rival Agincourt (more friendly though), winners and also-rans get prizes.  It really is a fantastic end to the year.

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

Please continue to follow the DBWI precautions regarding Covid.  We would also encourage everyone to book their next jab when called to do so. 

In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  We will continue to keep doors and windows open in the Crypt for ventilation.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

This group is usually held on the third Tuesday of a month at a member’s house or a pub.  The book of the month is announced at the monthly meetings and are usually around 300 pages in length.  You can sign up at the meeting or email if interested.  For further details please visit the page on the website.

BST Walking Group

The walking group is now in hibernation for the winter.  There is a WhatsApp group remaining open for people to arrange impromptu walks whenever the rambling bug speaks to them.  Ask about this via the usual email or at the meetings. Please see the group page on the website for information and pics of previous walks.

Knitting Group

The knitting group is meeting again when a project idea comes to mind.  If anyone has any ideas for projects or can host an evening for crafting, please email the usual address You can also request to be added to the WhatsApp group for regular updates. 

News

De Beauvoir Christmas Trail

Another festive community tradition is the sale trail.   A variety of stalls will be set up around the streets and in St Peter’s Church crypt.  The trail on the streets will be open between 11am and 3pm, with the crypt open until 5pm.  We will be selling homemade preserves, bakes, and crafts outside 34 Northchurch Terrace.  Please see the posters below for details of the other stalls.

Recruitment

The DBWI committee have been discussing ways in which we can grow membership and welcome new sisters to the fold.  In the next few months we will be compiling a questionnaire to distribute but in the meantime would like to invite you to tell us what you think we do well and what we can improve upon.  Email your comments to the usual address (on the poster at the top).

As always we wish you all health and happiness until we next meet.

Before writing this latest blog I was listening to the radio.  A Santander ad came on during which I heard Ant and Dec singing about scammers to the tune of MC Hammer’s 1990 release ‘U Can’t Touch This’.  After rolling my eyes at the cringe factor of the ad, and a memory of once attempting to dance to this when I was ten years old, I realised the ad was talking about how the bank helps customers to stay safe from getting scammed by fraudsters. Which is precisely the topic of November’s meeting. 

We all probably know of people who have been victims, but hopefully, none of us have ever been victims ourselves.  Fraud is a rapidly growing crime so unfortunately we are not safe.  Scammers are clever and opportunistic and even if we think we are being careful, anyone of us can get caught out.  Cybersecurity man (yes, a man.  Sometimes they are useful) Dan Eves will be allowed special access to our WI meeting to advise us on who is behind the scams and steps we can take to keep our finances secure.  Particularly crucial given the cost-of-living times we are going through as a society.

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

Members in attendance at October’s meeting would have received an email informing of other members testing positive for the virus a few days after.  We are pleased to say that everyone is virus free again.  Please continue to follow the DBWI precautions regarding Covid.  We would also encourage everyone to book their next jab when called to do so. 

In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  We will continue to keep doors and windows open in the Crypt for ventilation.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

This group is usually held on the third Tuesday of a month at a member’s house or a pub.  The book of the month is announced at the monthly meetings, they are usually around 300 pages in length.  You can sign up at the meeting or email if interested.  For details on how the group works please visit the page on the website.

Walking Group

The walking group is now on winter hiatus, it will start meeting again in Spring 2023. In the meantime the WhatsApp group is remaining open for people to arrange walks on an ad-hoc basis. Email or ask at meetings if you are interested in being added. Also, you can visit the group page on the website for information and pics of previous walks.

Knitting Group

The knitting group gets together when an occasion arises to create some fabulous knits. Once the Halloween yarn bomb is constructed and placed somewhere, hopefully they will be knitting beanies to give to people who require them over winter. Email if you would like to join, be added to the WhatsApp group, or can host a gathering.

Community Café

The DBWI will be hosting the Community Café in The Crypt at St Peter’s Church on Friday 28th October.  All are welcome to come along between 12.00 noon and 2.30pm to enjoy the delicious menu (see below). If you are available on short notice, we need another volunteer or two to help run the afternoon. Please email if you can help.

De Beauvoir Christmas Trail

Come along to the community on Saturday 26th November between 11am and 3pm for the annual Christmas trail. The DBWI stall will be set up outside 34 Northchurch Terrace selling homemade jams, preserves and bakes, as well as handmade crafts. The trail is one of our favourite fundraising events. If you would like to contribute some items to sell please email.

Recruitment

The DBWI committee have been discussing ways in which we can grow membership and welcome new sisters to the fold.  In the next few months we will be compiling a questionnaire to distribute but in the meantime would like to invite you to tell us what you think we do well and what we can improve upon.  Email your comments to the usual address (on the poster above).

We wish you well until we next meet.

As an aspiring author I like to write stories.  However, the stories I produce are generally about fictional or mythological characters that I derive and shape from my imagination.  Telling someone else’s story is easier for me than sharing my own.  Often I feel that no one wants to hear about my thoughts, desires, objections, moments of joy and sorrow – I hold back from telling them in case people think I am whining or being boastful.

At past meetings with the DBWI we have heard the stories of some interesting women, from history and the present day.  Within these stories we learn about the strength, imagination, determination, and bravery of these women forging a way to be free and express themselves in life.  These stories might have resonated with us in various ways, but we are shy or apprehensive to say so.  This month we have another wonderful speaker who will tell her story but also introduce us to steps to help us overcome our apprehensions and refresh our confidence to tell our own.  Rona Steinberg recently became a DBWI sister and member of your committee.  She is a life and public speaking coach (see her website and blog here for further information).  She will be giving us a valuable presentation on how we can be women without apology, unafraid to speak up about anything we need to say.  She will extend the opportunity for members and guests to speak, for those who feel comfortable to do so.  We look forward to welcoming you to this meeting and hopefully get to know some of your stories. 

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

The DBWI are still asking for some precautions to be taken regarding Covid.  In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  We will continue to keep doors and windows open in the Crypt for ventilation.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

This group is usually held on the third Tuesday of a month at a member’s house or a pub.  The book of the month is announced at the monthly meetings, they are usually around 300 pages in length.  You can sign up at the meeting or email if interested.  For details on how the group works please visit the page on the website.

Walking Group

The walking group meets on the last Friday of each month during British Summer Time. These tend to be 60-90 minute relatively local walks and generally accessible to most people.  An occasional weekend day trip is organised to venture further afield.  The final walk of the season usually happens in mid-October and is a longer walk.  Interest can be expressed at monthly meetings where there will be a sign up sheet, or by emailing the address included on the poster above.  Please see the group page on the website for information and pics of previous walks.

Knitting Group

The knitting group is meeting again on Thursday 22nd September.  Please email the usual address for the location details if you are interested in coming along.  You can also request to be added to the WhatsApp group for regular updates.  The group has decided to knit pumpkins for a Halloween themed post box topper.

News

Community Café

The DBWI will be hosting the Community Café in The Crypt at St Peter’s Church on Friday 28th October.  Please email us if you can volunteer on the day or are able to cook something.

Recruitment

The DBWI committee have been discussing ways in which we can grow membership and welcome new sisters to the fold.  In the next few months we will be compiling a questionnaire to distribute but in the meantime would like to invite you to tell us what you think we do well and what we can improve upon.  Email your comments to the usual address (on the poster above).

As always we wish you all health and happiness until we next meet.

Living in a multicultural country is, arguably, one of the most interesting things about life. Learning about other customs and traditions helps us to understand and connect with others in new ways. The De Beauvoir WI values and welcomes diversity within our membership. Japanese culture has always seemed popular. I recall a documentary series I watched fairly recently and being inspired by their respect for nature and gardens, something important to me personally.

The WI as an institution campaigns for sustainability and when I was researching the Kimono for this blog it struck me that, in a society of fast, wear once fashion, this beautiful fashion style is an antidote to the waste created. It is practical, suitable for all seasons and seems simple to make and wear. I am really excited to learn more about the Kimono at next month’s meeting, I hope that you are all just as intrigued too. I have decided not to give anything away but I will share this link to the V&A Museum in case you want to come already prepared with some knowledge before the night.

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

The DBWI are still asking for some precautions to be taken regarding Covid.  In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  We will continue to keep doors and windows open in the Crypt for ventilation.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

This group is usually held on the third Tuesday of a month at a member’s house or a pub.  The book of the month is announced at the monthly meetings, they are usually around 300 pages in length.  You can sign up at the meeting or email if interested.  For details on how the group works please visit the page on the website.

Walking Group

The walking group meets on the last Friday of each month during British Summer Time. These tend to be 60-90 minute relatively local walks and generally accessible to most people.  An occasional weekend day trip is organised to venture further afield.  Interest can be expressed at monthly meetings where there will be a sign up sheet, or by emailing the address included on the poster above.  Please see the group page on the website for a teaser of August’s stroll and pics of previous walks.

Knitting Group

Due to Covid restrictions the knitting group has been on a lengthy hiatus. However we are keen to revive it so would like to gage how much interest there would be for this. Please email us or let us know at the meeting. Our yarn bombs are legendary. Follow this link to our Knit and Crochet page (awaiting a full update) to see the post box topper made for the the Queen’s Jubilee in June.

The De Beauvoir Show – Blooms, Bakes and Barks

Come and join in the fun on Sunday the 4th September. Held by the De Beauvoir Gardeners the show takes place in the square and the DBWI are holding a stall selling jams, preserves and marmalade. We are trying to arrange a jam making workshop and will contact members if this happens. Otherwise if anyone would like to volunteer to make some for us please get in contact on the email in the poster above, there are a couple of guidelines we would need to make you aware of. We will reimburse costs for ingredients bought as well. Also please let us know if you can help on the day, volunteers for the stall or handing out our flyers would be appreciated.

Updates

On last month’s blog I told you about some upcoming trips. The first to Marble Hill/Henrietta Howard House is due to happen on the 10th September. Our secretary is awaiting a response from English Heritage to confirm that this can go ahead. The outcome will be announced at the meeting and this trip will either go ahead or replaced with a new destination. The second trip to the House of Parliament with MP Meg Hillier is postponed until Thursday 8th December. There is still time to add your name if you contact us by email.

As always, on behalf of all the DBWI sisters, I wish you all well and hope to see you all on the 1st. Stay safe everyone.

This month’s blog is being sent out with very short notice, so I have to apologise.  Because of this some of the information below will be out of date.  Life simply got in the way, as it so often does.  What I need is a good night out to relax and recharge.  Praise the DBWI that it is finally August again, time for our annual social.  This year we will be gathering for fun and sisterly merriment at the Narrow Boat Pub (see poster below for the details)

At all meetings

Please note the change of venue for the meeting this month, The Narrowboat Pub, 119 St Peter’s Road N1 8PZ.  Guests come for free in August.

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

I could not find any information on the Narrowboat Pub’s website regarding their policies for keeping safe during Covid.  Recent news has been reporting rises in cases so there is still a need to be cautious when meeting up together.

This is the general guidance for meetings held at St Peter’s Church: The DBWI are still asking for some precautions to be taken regarding Covid.  In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  We will continue to keep doors and windows open in the Crypt for ventilation.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

This group is usually held on the third Tuesday of a month at a member’s house or a pub.  In July the book read was Longbourn by Jo Baker.  More details about the book for August can be obtained by contacting us via email (address in poster above) or by expressing interest at the social where we can pass your details to the group organisers.  Updates to the group pages on the website are coming soon.

Walking Group

Usually held on the last Friday of the month.  July’s walk took place on the 29th and the organisers arranged a very pleasant jaunt to Greenwich Park to watch the sunset from the hill.  From a selection of photos taken (below) you can see that all ramblers had a jolly great time.  The walk for August is yet to be confirmed.  As with the book group please contact us and look out for updates on the website page for the group.

Updates

Party in the Park (PITP)

Last month the DBWI held a very successful cake stall in De Beauvoir Square for the annual PITP. A healthy sum of money was raised and our members agreed to donate a portion to our usual charity Solace.

Upcoming events

More details to come about the following:

Trip to Marble Hill House built by Henrietta Howard https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/marble-hill/

Tour of Houses of Parliament with Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch.

As always the DBWI wishes all our members the best health and hopes to see you soon.

We are pleased to be holding this meeting postponed from February (see poster below). Let’s celebrate our womanhood and tap into our sensual, sexy, risqué sides, and possibly giggle like schoolgirls, to make burlesque style tassels.  Bunny Lestrange will be giving us a tutorial and hopefully talking a little about the history of burlesque.

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

The DBWI are still asking for some precautions to be taken regarding Covid.  In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  We will continue to keep doors and windows open in the Crypt for ventilation.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

The new book and details about time and date for the book group will be updated on the website page each month. Email the usual address for information on how to be kept more informed, such as being added to the WhatsApp group.

Walking Group

There will be a special walk to Whitstable on Saturday 18th June. As with the book group please see the website page, or email the DBWI address for further details.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Parade

The Jubilee celebrations held on Friday 3rd June went really well. See a selection of photos below. Thank you to everyone who came along to help set up and march. It was a marvellous day and lots of fun was had.

Some of us also got together for some knitting to create a royal yarn bomb which was installed on top of a letter box.

UPDATES/REMINDERS:

Solace

Solace Women’s Aid are once again collecting toiletries.  Contact usual address for info about where to bring your donation.

As always we wish you well and look forward to catching up in July.

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

The DBWI are still asking for some precautions to be taken regarding Covid.  In line with guidance from the NFWI masks are optional but we encourage members and guests to wear one when in more crowded areas, such as queueing for refreshments.  We will continue to keep doors and windows open in the Crypt for ventilation.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser, which we will provide hand sanitiser if you cannot bring your own but please bring your own if you can.  All surfaces on tables and at the hatch will be wiped down with disinfectant before your arrival.  If you can do a lateral flow test before attending meetings and contact us if you develop symptoms after attending.

Book Group

To be held on Tuesday 31st May, discussing Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce.   Venue to be confirmed, contact usual address for more details.

Walking Group

Avril has very kindly offered to host us for a day trip around Whitstable to include lunch and an afternoon cream tea in her garden.

We’ll be getting a morning train from Stratford International. This will be a full day out but you’re welcome to wander off if you want to and not be tied to the group.

We’ve got a couple of lovely walks planned before and after lunch.

This is a members only dog friendly walk. If you would like to know more please email in before June 8th, or come along to our June meeting. 

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Parade

Join us for our jubilee celebrations on Friday 3rd June.  We will be setting up at 1pm outside the Rose Lipman building on Downham Rd, N1 5SF, a parade will set off at 2pm.

All WI members, family, friends and neighbours are very welcome. Please spread the word! Bring a picnic for yourself or food to share. We will provide cake, snacks & soft drinks.  In true street party style there will be tables but possibly not chairs! So if you can, please bring a chair or 2.

UPDATES/REMINDERS:

Solace

Solace Women’s Aid are once again collecting toiletries.  Contact usual address for info about where to bring your donation

The DBWI is 8 years old.  Join us to celebrate (poster below).  We will be having our AGM and announcing some fantastic achievements.  Afterwards we will be making sashes to use at upcoming events, particularly the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Parade in June.

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

Covid restrictions have been fully relaxed nationally.  Good news, however, we are still asking for some precautions to be taken.  We will continue to keep doors and windows open in the Crypt for ventilation.  Please wear masks when in the queue for check in, and refreshments.  Wash hands in the toilets and/or use sanitiser.  We will provide hand sanitiser but please bring your own if you can.  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

Details to come soon.

Walking Group (held last Friday of the month)

This month’s blog is going out later than usual.  So, unfortunately, it is too late to join the April walk.  This was held on Friday 29th at 6.30pm.  Five sisters made it for the pleasant evening, walking from Finsbury Park to Stoke Newington via the Capital Ring River path and Allens Gardens (see pics below).

Please check back in the next two weeks for details about the walk for May.

Knitting Group.

There will be a knitting group to create bunting, corgis and mini crowns for the Jubilee.  Date and time to be confirmed.

UPDATES/REMINDERS:

Community Café.

We will be hosting the café at St Peter’s Crypt on Friday 27th May.  Please contact the usual email if you can cook or help out on the day.

Elizabeth Bell Challenge

The DBWI achieved the highly commended 4th place in this competition.  Well done to Mary and Suzanne for their hard work.  There is going to be a feature in WI Life, probably in July.

In the latest May/June edition our yarn bomb for #RoseAgainstViolence is featured on page 17.  Check it out.

Solace

Solace Women’s Aid are once again collecting toiletries.  Contact usual address for info about where to bring your donations

As always, we wish you all well in the coming days and look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.

In March we celebrate International Women’s Day.  So this month we have invited The Hackney Society to give a talk about some influential women that had close connections to Hackney throughout the centuries (see poster below)

IMPORTANT: The annual membership fee of £44.00 is due by the end of March. You can pay at the next meeting or, preferably, via bank transfer. Ask at the meeting, or email the usual address for the details.

The Hackney Society is a membership organisation formed in 1967 to support local residents in the conservation and regeneration of Hackney’s infrastructure and public spaces.  It is managed entirely by unpaid volunteers and a Board of Trustees drawn and elected from the membership.

The Borough of Hackney is one of the most deprived authorities in England, yet has over one thousand historic or listed buildings, several of which need urgent repair, as well as over twenty conservation spaces.  The society’s work is important in helping protect this rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Please visit this link for information on some of their current and past projects and campaigns.

Covid compliance notice (when 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.

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.

International Women’s Day

Father Simon of St Peter’s Church in De Beauvoir has invited DBWI members to a special service at the church on Tuesday the 8th of March to celebrate this special day for women.  Starting at 6pm there will be a special service, lasting about 25 minutes, which will include communion.  Depending on availability and Covid-permitting, the service will be given by the Rev’d Kristina Andréasson (Associate Vicar of St John’s Wood, originally from the Church of Sweden), offering a reflection on the importance of International Women’s Day.  After, there is an open invitation to all members of the WI to cocktails and mocktails with some snacks in the Vicarage, to continue the celebration of the day. 

There is also a yarn bomb planned to take place on the day.  All the details are still to be confirmed.  Information should be available at the meeting, or you can email for further information, including the knitting group that will take place to construct the bomb

Book Group

On the 15th of March the book group will be meeting to discuss a new book, Rachel, Again by Marian Keyes.  Keep an eye on the Book Group page for more details and confirmation of the time and place of the next group.

Walking Group

Even though we did miles of walking in aid of Solace in January (final update below), we are always keen for more.  So please join us for a fun, casual walk around the gravel pits in Rickmansworth on 27th March.  There will be visits to a pub before and after.  Sign up at the meeting or email the usual address to get more details.

UPDATES:

Solace 40

The DBWI once again thanks everyone for putting on their walking shoes and cold weather clothing to help raise money for the Solace 40 challenge.  The final mile count is 504 miles and money raised was more than double our set target of £500 at £1,049.  See below for pictures from some of the guided walks.

Show the Love climate campaign.

At the February meeting some members made green hearts for our campaign to address the dangers of climate change.  Some of these were installed in local parks (pictures below).

Elizabeth Bell Challenge

The DBWI have submitted an entry to the Elizabeth Bell Challenge.  Our wonderful sisters Mary and Suzanne collaborated to make a short video to show some of the highlights of our year 2021.  More information to come about this later in the coming months.

As always we look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting and wish you a healthy and happy week ahead.

We are meeting in person in February at the usual place* – fantastic – but please make sure that you are aware of our Covid safety guidelines (below).  It seems more promising now that an end to Covid safety measures are not far off, but until then it is still important to comply with the precautions to protect ourselves and others. 

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES BUNNY LESTRANGE WILL BE UNABLE TO APPEAR THIS MONTH. SHE WILL BE SHARING HER KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS LATER IN THE YEAR. THE MEETING WILL NOW BE A CHANCE TO CHAT, HEAR ABOUT THE NEW RESOLUTIONS SO YOU CAN CAST YOUR VOTE FOR A NEW CAMPAIGN, GET CRAFTY AND CHOOSE A GIFT IN A LUCKY DIP WE ARE USING TO RAISE MORE FUNDS FOR SOLACE WOMEN’S AID

February brings the day of romance (Valentine’s Day, of course) but also the lesser known, perhaps, Galentine’s Day.  So, this month we are getting sensual, sexy, risqué, and possibly giggly like schoolgirls, to make burlesque style tassels.  Whether you want to surprise a significant other, or just celebrate the love you have for yourself, come along and let Bunny Lestrange show you how to make your very own glittery tassels.  Bunny will also be talking about the history of burlesque.

POSTPONED

*At the time of publishing it seems likely that this meeting will be held in person at the usual time and place.  Please look out for updates or contact us at the usual address (see poster above).

Covid compliance notice (when 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.

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.

Campaign Voting

The new NFWI resolutions have been finalised so members can now vote for the one they want to see taken forward.  Please see the campaigns page here for a summary of the shortlist of five and links to more information about each one.  If you have the November/December issue of WI Life there is a selection form on page 27.  We will be voting on which resolution we want to see taken forward to the NFWI AGM at our February meeting.

Book Group

February’s read will be The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker.  Book group is on the third Tuesday of every month.  Keep an eye on the Book Group page for more details and confirmation on the date, time, and place for the next group.

UPDATES:

The Great Get Together

On Sunday 23rd January we met up at De Beauvoir Square to walk and share cake after.  This was instead of the Games and Cakes event that was cancelled due to Covid restrictions.  Lesley took the more energetic walkers on a brisk four mile route through De Beauvoir and around Hoxton.  Others joined members Nichola and Suzanne for a slower two mile ramble through De Beauvoir only.   There was an abundance of delicious cakes after which were enjoyed by all.  These miles of walking will be added to the total for the Solace 40 fundraising that has been taking place all this month.

Solace 40

Thanks to all the amazing ramblers who have logged their miles so far.  The total is about 421 miles at the last count.  Plus, we have already surpassed our original fundraising total which is brilliant.  There is still time to get your walking shoes on one more time to join us for the final weekend of Solace 40.  On Saturday the 29th come along to St Peter’s Church at 11am to join our member Mary for the two mile De Beauvoir loop.  Please visit our Just Giving page here if you would like to contribute a donation.

As always we look forward to seeing you all at the meeting.

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.

Brainy Birds Quiz 2nd December

Yes, the annual DBWI quiz is back! Put in your thinking brains to answer some challenging questions and win fabulous prizes.  On arrival you will be asked to choose a coloured button which will correspond to a table.  Join your team at the table to take part in this epic battle of general knowledge.  Read poster below for more info.

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

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

This month the book group has chosen My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.  The group met in person for the first time in a while on the the 16th November.  It went well so will continue next month on the 21st December.  Keep an enthusiastic eye on the Book Group page for more details.

WI outing

Our member Lesley will be holding a guided history walk for WI members/friends on Saturday 27th November, 12 noon – 2pm.  This walk explores the historic area of Finsbury and St Luke’s parish, just north of the old City. Numbers are limited to keep us all safe.

As we do not have an outing co ordinator at present, to make this outing happen, Lesley is very kindly taking the bookings directly, so if possible, please book via this Eventbrite link – if you are unsure about online booking, or have any questions, please contact Lesley directly at:  walk@lesleythompson.co.uk . 

Cost is £8 per person for us (usual rate £15).

Solace

We are really pleased to have been able to donate £200 to Solace from our recent Trail stalls. We are now looking for donations of Christmas gifts for the women and children spending Christmas in one of their Domestic Violence refuges  All gifts must be new, in the original packaging and cost no more than £20 for each gift.  Items most welcome will be clothes, for children or adults, children’s toys, and toiletries.  Gift cards of £20 or less are also acceptable.  Bring along donations to the next WI meeting (see above) or either of the events mentioned below.

Save The Date Reminders

Community Café

The Community Café is back and running again in the Crypt on the last Friday of the month.  We will be running the cafe on Friday 26^th November in our lovely new De Beauvoir WI aprons  Do pop along if you fancy it, there will be a lovely selection of home cooked food at very affordable prices.

Christmas Fair and Trail on December 4th

The DBA Christmas Fair is back in the Crypt on December 4^th and will be running alongside a Christmas Trail with stalls in front gardens across De Beauvoir (see a map below).  The trail will take place between 11am and 3pm. We are running the WI stall at 34 Northchurch Road and are selling jams, chutneys, pickles and cakes.  We will primarily be selling whole loaf cakes and other baked goods.  In order to be able to package and label everything in line with Natasha’s Law, we need any donations to be delivered the day before.  Please email the usual address if you would like to drop off donations for the stall.

We look forward to welcoming you all.

Sadly our speaker from the Medaille Trust was unwell last week and had to cancel. We hope to be able to rebook this talk on Ending Modern Slavery later on in the year.

We were therefore, very fortunate to be able to book Kirsty Norman who gave a joyous and inspirational talk on Chinese New Year and the meaning behind the flowers, plants and fruits that are a major part of the celebrations. Kirsty was born and grew up in Hong Kong and tries to return at least once a year. This year Chinese New Year falls on February 12th so this was a truly timely talk.

Chinese new year follows the lunar cycle and so the date changes each year. 2020 was the year of the rat and the coming year will be year of the Ox.  The new year celebrations are about sharing health, wealth and luck. Luck is a concept lost in translation between English and Cantonese. The Western understanding is based on chance, with the Chinese interpretation more like destiny, to stay on path you are meant to stay on for life.

Colours are hugely influential, with red especially strong. Yellow corresponds with earth (gold and good luck). For new year, auspicious clothes are red and you have a new hair cut, which is a signal for a good start, and this also includes lucky pants!    Bamboo leaves are used to clean the house as this gets rid of evil spirits.

The Chinese used to buy huge fire crackers to celebrate but now they have firework displays in Hong Kong harbour.

Couplets are written and placed on front doors for luck and there is a huge amount of symbolism in everything the Chinese do, particularly with art and plants. Everything represents something.

Chinese new year is also referred to as spring festival, traditionally when harvest and planting starts, the joy of spring and renewal.

There is a huge plant market held in Victoria park (in Hong Kong) which runs for 6 days. White colours are generally avoided as they refer to funeral, and cut flowers were, in the past, used for funerals.

In the Cantonese language there are up to 7 pronunciation tones for the same words, which can thus be said in many different ways, so people use sounds to play on words.

For plants there are two groups, native and introduced species.  Citruses are most typical, citrus fruit round and golden like sun, aligned with Yang or positive symbol. You give Kumquat to wish luck and good fortune. Pomelo, the more you eat the more wealth it will bring. Chinese plum for courage. Peach is a symbol of romance and vitality, warding away evil spirits and is sacred in China.

Peony represents wealth and peace and honour, with red known as king of flowers and is important for businesses and found on new year graphics. Water fairy – if they open on day of new year this brings enormous good luck. Chrysanthemum, Confusion morals. Don’t give white ones though as this is associated with grief and mourning.  Pussy willow is regarded as silver (not white), represents a house full of silver, buds are a sign of growth and prosperity. Orchids represent purity, fertility and abundance. Potted orchid is the most common gift at this time.  Azalea is traditional for new year.

Nowadays more flowers are being imported with more meaning, for example:

Lucky bamboo from Africa, the number of stalks mean different things, but there should not be 4 stalks as this is unlucky as the number four said in a different tone means death.  Spiralling stalks are used to turn one’s luck around and upright stalks are to maintain one’s good fortune.

Jade / money tree represents enormous good luck.

Gladioli – a steady rise, good for rising career, originated in South Africa.

Phoenix tail, high virtue and grace.

Pitcher plant, portrays money bags, originating in Madagascar.

The Chinese decorate trees / plants for the home with Li xi (lucky money) packets. Tiny golden purses hang from orchids and they use pussy willow for decorating. The Hong Kong orchid tree is the national flower.

Another side to all of this, the Chinese new year flower Tiu Chung was used widely from the early Qing dynasty but was too popular and had to be banned from cutting as it was not sustainable when collecting from the wild.

Also, what happens to everything after new year? Almost all trees etc are disposed of and create huge amounts of landfill. As most of the plants have been forced they will usually only flower like this the once.

In 2020 all 15 of the flower markets were closed. In January 2021 they were to close but now there has been a change of mind and they are to be opened this year.

We thanked Kirsty for stepping into the breach and presenting this splendidly colourful and vibrant talk, which was followed by a Q&A, where we learnt that she has a passion for moon cake and it was suggested that the recipe for this is included in our cook book.

Looking forward to our April cheerleading workshop

For April we will be learning a cheerleading routine, but will need pom poms.  This link will show how to make pom poms very easily in preparation for April’s meeting: https://kidscraftroom.com/how-to-make-pom-pons/

Book Group

Book group are currently working their way through The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz and will be meeting via Zoom on 16^th February.

Solace 40 Update

This January we have been doing The SOLACE 40 –  a challenge to walk, run or cycle 40 miles in January. That’s one mile for each Solace refuge which offers safety and security to survivors of domestic violence. Every mile goes toward supporting survivors build safe, strong futures.  As a women’s group Solace is a charity that is close to our hearts and we have been supporting them for five years now raising money through our cake stall at Party In The Park and at the Flower & Produce Show.  We have set up a Just Giving page if you would like to donate https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dbwisolace

So far we have clocked over 220 miles and raised more than £1400 smashing our original target of £500 but we would love to be able to raise more for such a fantastic and worthwhile charity. The just giving page is going to stay up for a few more days if you would like to donate. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us.

Thanking our local NHS workers

Local member Lynn is putting together goody bags for NHS workers at the Homerton Hospital.  We are getting involved by sewing drawstring bags and lavender hearts for the bags.  All materials will be provided and if you would like to join us do email debeauvoirwi@gmail.com to let us know

Veganism and Veganuary

It was lovely to welcome 29 participants wearing some lovely sparkly Christmas hats, with fairy lights galore to our monthly meeting.

The society was founded 1944, the founders defined the word vegan and ’own’ the word. They started with 6 members and have expanded to 8,000 members today.  Registering as a charity in 1964.  Louisianna defined veganism and outlined the range of activities and the mission to make veganism mainstream.  There is a vegan trademark, established in 1990, and now used on over 47,000 products worldwide.  

The Society has a number of campaigns including: 

·     Animal rights: ‘future normal’  https://futurenormal.org.uk 

·     Environmental: climate emergency, plate up for the planet, grow green; The grow green campaign has a shift away from animal farming and supports rewilding; catering for everyone, launched in 2017, for more and better vegan food on every public sector menu.

·     Health: vegan and thriving, which is a health focused campaign launched in 2019; they have created a vegan eat well guide. 

·     Inclusivity: Live vegan for less, play fair with plant milk, catering for everyone, vegan on the go; and live vegan for less, developed in response to increasing numbers of people experiencing financial hardship in 2020. 

·     Partnerships: Veganuary; They are developing a vegan food network throughout 2021. Veganuary is the latest campaign, started in 2014, encouraging people to try vegan for 31 days, most commonly in January and participants from 192 countries have taken part. 

There are many ways to support the society and work for them, lots of social media outlets, just search for the Vegan Society on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn.  There is also a podcast, ‘the vegan pod.’

There were many questions from all participants and we thanked Louisianna for a very interesting and informative talk 

Suzanne fed back highlights from the recent members’ survey: half of membership responded with good ideas relating to interest groups, especially walking and looking past Covid to what we can do in future. There was a good response to the cook book suggestion so we will progress with this project. We will feedback at next month’s meeting with more ideas as to how we are to take the results forward.

Veganuary Month was launched in the UK in January 2014 by vegan founders Jane and Matthew, who quite simply want to see a vegan world. Like any mission, Jane and Matthew knew that they needed to start somewhere and that one of the biggest barriers to veganism was a simple lack of awareness. Since 2014, Veganuary has inspired and supported more than one million people in 192 countries to try vegan for January – and beyond.

Fancy a vegan treat…this is the easiest ever chocolate vegan cake recipe and is delicious. It also uses basic cupboard ingredients

Vegan Chocolate Loaf

Line a 2lb loaf tin, be warned this is a wet mixture

Sieve together in a bowl

200g self-raising flour

200 g caster sugar

4 tbsp cocoa

½ tsp salt

1tsp bicarbonate of soda

In a jug mix together

5 tbps vegetable oil (I use sunflower)

1tsp vanilla extract

1tsp white wine vinegar

250mls cold water

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients bit by bit mixing as you go until they are all combined.

At this stage you can add if you want, vegan chocolate chips, or raspberries, or cherries for variety but it tastes great on its own

Pour into your loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes Gas Mark 4 or 180 or 160 fan. A skewer should come out clean when it is ready, leave to cool and then carefully remove from the loaf tin which I tend to do by placing it on its side and gently sliding out the loaf.

Book Group

Our regular book group is meeting on Tuesday 19^th January at 8pm: we are reading Shadowplay by Joseph O’Connor and will meet using Zoom once again.  The book is about identity, friendship, loyalty.

40 For SOLACE

This January we are doing The SOLACE 40 –  a challenge to walk, run or cycle 40 miles in January. That’s one mile for each Solace refuge which offers safety and security to survivors of domestic violence.

Every mile goes toward supporting survivors build safe, strong futures

As we have been missing each other so much we are going to do this as a WI relay, enabling different members to join different sections of the walk and stroll on together.  Lesley has devised a 2 mile walk around De Beauvoir so we can do this in sections with different members joining at different points to walk for as little or far as they want to.  It is obviously a sponsored event to raise money for Solace but if every member was sponsored £10 and joined the walk we would raise nearly £500.  Can you walk (or run or cycle) a mile for Solace enabling them to continue their amazing work – email in if you would like to join us. 

We will be walking for SOLACE on Thursday 21^st January and Sunday 24^th January, do come and join us. Let us know if you’d like to come along by emailing us as due to current restrictions we sadly cannot walk in a large group but will be planning a relay type walk in twos or more depending on where we are restriction wise towards the end of January.  If you would like to walk independently of these days and contribute your miles to our total just email us with the information and we can keep a regularly updated total on our Facebook pages.

Our suggested start time is 11am.  A map and info will be sent out shortly. We have also set up a Justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dbwisolace.

De Beauvoir Christmas Trail update

This was a huge success, the De Beauvoir community was out in force supporting local businesses, enjoying the carols and feeling that Christmas spirit.

The WI stall sold out and we are donating £100 to Solace Women’s Aid from the profits on the day, plus we received 3 carrier bags full of toiletries and gifts from members and non-members along with another £170 worth of gift vouchers for the women and children spending Christmas in a refuge. A huge thanks to everyone who crafted, baked and preserved and manned the stall and to those who shopped and donated.