East End WI

stay warm with a good book

2012-02-03T18:43:00.003Z

We love our libraries here at EEWI and we're lucky not to have suffered with closures like lots of places in the country. So if you fancy doing a little something to celebrate National Libraries Day tomorrow you might want to get along to Bethnal Green Library tomorrow afternoon to have a cup of tea, a slice of cake and some advice on how to fall in love with the past. Sounds like a good way to celebrate to me.

aim and aspire women's business club

2012-02-02T00:24:00.000Z

You may remember that Lana Hersak mentioned Aim and Aspire's Women's Business Club which runs lots of networking events. Their next event on MAstering Your Money is on 7th February. If you are interested in attending, you'll find further information on their website . There is also a link to the website in our "You may be interested in..." box in the sidebar.

where the heart is

2012-01-31T23:57:00.005Z

55+ Local women needed for "where the heart is" arts project

Every year, local charity, Magic Me partners with The Women's Library and

Mulberry School for Girls to work on an arts project. Magic Me needs local older

women that are over 55 to get involved in this year's project, Where the

Heart Is. You will explore stories of love in the East End with experienced

Magic Me artists. Using film, theatre and story telling techniques as a group

you will design a walk of the area drawing from your stories. The final artwork

will be presented as part of this year's LIFT Festival.

Sessions start on the Wednesday 22nd February from 2-3:30pm, and then

every Wednesday from 3:30-5:30pm at The Women's Library.

For more information call Clea on 020 3222 6064 or email cleahouse@magicme.co.uk

the edible garden gets cooking

2012-01-29T01:06:00.000Z

Now normally the idea of an afternoon at a steering group would not fill my heart with joy, but when we met today with Corinne, Sue and Fabio from Phakama to discuss the Edible Garden project we all came away full of the fun to come. And food too, lots of lovely food. We've got grand plans - a space has been identified in Mile End for the garden! - and we are already thinking about how to use the space, plan our growing, and what we need to do to get ready for a grand feast later in September 2012. And for a trial run, we shared a food preparation and testing session with our prospective chefs with some imaginative and delicious outcomes.

Many thanks to Annie, Clare, Heather and Ruth for coming along this afternoon and sharing their time, ideas, experience and all important tastebuds. We are really looking forward to working in partnership with Phakama, giving and gaining to make the Edible Garden a beautiful, productive space. There will be regular updates on the Edible Garden blog and plenty of opportunities to get involved with growing, cooking, crafting and story-telling.

Watch this getting-greener space.

life chances

2012-01-26T23:46:00.000Z

It's January. Resolutions are still in the air. So it was good to welcome Jay Bharvada along to hear about Chance to Live, the charity he has set up with his wife to increase the number of people signing up to the Bone Marrow Register. Jay spoke very movingly about his own son's illness and how we can help people like him who would benefit from bone marrow donation. Jackie's daughter has signed up, and Niki has circulate the information to her work colleagues. Even if you are not eligible to sign the register, you may want to think about how else you might be able to help. We'd love to hear what you've done to raise awareness of the register.

Our second speaker, Lana Hersak, explained how to go about setting up a small business. There was lots of sound advice - who'd have thought it was so complicated? Some members shared their own experience of running businesses and there was a lot of note taking. If you didn't manage to get all the information, Lana has let us have a checklist and some links to organisations that can help. You can find them on a separate page on the blog here. And good luck if you are thinking of taking the plunge. Let us know how you get on - we're always keen to support our talented women.

After such a thoughtful start to 2012, it was good to see concentration of a slightly different sort at the coffee morning at Hurwundekei....

Nice work.

january meetings: aim and aspire

2012-01-12T23:26:00.000Z

If you are want to explore new horizons in 2012, Lana Hersak, the speaker at our 17th January meeting, may be just what you need to stir you up. Lana will be talking to us about setting up a small business, drawing on her experience leading aim and aspire workshops. We will also have a short talk about charity "Chance to Live". And we'll be encouraging you to vote on your preferred resolutions for the NFWI AGM. So a busy night ahead.

We are meeting at the usual time 7.30pm for 8pm start at our usual venus, St Margaret's House, Old Ford Road, E2 (just next to the Gallery Cafe). If you are new to the WI, do please come along - the weather may be chilly but you'll find a warm welcome and refreshments available; we suggest a donation of £3 to cover the cost of refreshments. If you are a member, we'll be taking 2012 subscriptions - £31.50 for the year, or you may prefer to pay in three instalments.

Our coffee morning on Friday 20th January will be the Hurwundeki Cafe in Cambridge Heath Road (just before you reach the railway station going north.) We'll gather from 10.30am onwards.

And just another reminder that we are continuing to work with Project Phakama on the Edible Garden project. There will be a meeting on 28th January at Queen Mary College in the Arts building, 2 - 4pm if you want to know more about the project.

It's going to be a busy year, See you soon.

comfort zone

2011-12-31T00:51:00.000Z

In the last couple of quiet days, happily ensconced trying to shift the cat out of the way and tidy up the vestiges of Christmas and the loose ends of 2011, I came across one or two things that I forgot to share.

Never let it be said that we are not game for trying something new. Just take a look at these little videos of our Cynthia and Heather participating in an installation by artist Martina Schuemacker in South London. (More on Heather's adventures at Denman soon.)

Oh yes. Sometimes we do step out of our comfort zone. Let's hope 2012 will be a year to shake us up and take us on amazing new EEWI adventures.

Happy New Year!

and a happy christmas to you...

2011-12-22T01:31:00.000Z

It's been a busy couple of weeks. There was our Christmas Market where we saw some fabulous hand crafted goods, shared some Christmas goodwill with our friends from U-Turn, learnt how to finger knit, ate mince pies galore and enormous slices of Cynthia's mum's coconut cake...

...and made some crazy looking baubles for our Christmas tree (what exactly is it that happens to people when they get their hands on glitter and glue?).

The tree went up at the weekend at the Community Christmas Tree Festival along with some other amazing entries. Ours has the cups on top instead of a fairy. I particularly likes the tree made of party hats, the reindeer sculpture and the model with the light-up tree-skirt.

We also met up at the Geffrye Museum for a great deal of chat, a fair amount of tea and coffee and lots of oohing and cuddling of Jo's baby boy.

And as if that wasn't enough, we even managed a bit of fourteen- point- star crafting on Tuesday evening at the Crown because Elizabeth produced some pretty paper from the depths of her handbag a la Mary Poppins. You'd be amazed what you can do with a large star other than put it on your tree.

Our thanks go to everyone who joined in, sold and bought, and made these events such fun, particularly to all of you who brought along Christmas gifts for U-Turn. We know it's very much appreciated by Rio and all the women who used the drop-in centre. We'll be meeting again on 17th January when we'll hear all about setting up a business, so do remember to put that in your new diaries when you get them. Until then:

have a Wonderful Christmas.

the EEWI christmas market!

2011-12-05T15:10:00.001Z

Yes, ladies, it's nearly time for our fabulous Christmas Market. Our December meeting is this year is going to be big and buzzy with lots of lovely stalls from a host of local designer makers as well as our own talented members, some mulled wine and a mince pie. We've got a little Christmas crafting lined up because we want you to help decorate the tree that we'll be entering into the Community Christmas tree festival on 17th December - any sparkly scraps or trinkets that you have for the baubles we'll be making most gratefully received. And we will be joined by our friends from U-Turn again this year, so please try to bring along a small wrapped gift for the women helped by U-Turn. Entry to the event is free to members, £3 for visitors.

This is our last evening meeting of the year (where did the time go?) but we will be meeting for a visit to the lovely Geffrye Museum for coffee at 10.30am on Friday 16th December and a walk through Christmases past. The museum opens at 10am if you want to look round before rather than after coffee. It is easy to get to by public transport, but please remember that if you are using your own car, you will be charged for parking in Hackney.

We're looking forward to seeing you all next week.

this week

2011-11-14T20:34:00.001Z

Our Queen Bee, 2009

It's our members' AGM tomorrow evening! We'll be starting a little earlier at 7.45pm, as we have a lot to fit in - looking back at what we have done in the last year, formal reports and elections. There'll be a short talk from Niki looking back at what EEWI has achieved over the last five years too. Then we'll get on to celebrating our year with a wine tasting. Even though we are on a budget this year, we've still got lots of lovely wine lined up - in my front room at the moment! - but it will be there waiting for you tomorrow night. There will be some nibbles, but if you would like to bring some food along to share, do feel free to do so. Usual location - St Margaret's House, Old Ford Road, E2.

Our Friday coffee morning is at Skylight Cafe, Commercial Street, E1 at 10.30am on Friday 18th. If you are interested in joining us, we will be making our way to the Women's Library afterwards to see their latest exhibition All Work and Low Pay. Guaranteed to inspire...

Finally, a big thank you to those who supported local charity U-Turn at their quiz night last Friday with your donations of prizes, baking, or simply by coming along and joining in. And if you don't the answer to the question "What instrument does Lisa Simpson play?", ask Jane. She may be able to help you...

See you tomorrow.

aim and aspire

2011-11-05T11:20:00.000Z

We want to do our bit to make sure that woman make their mark in the world and we are delighted that some of our entrepreneurial members have been kind enough to share their skills with us. We thought that it might be a good idea for the New Year to invite a speaker to come along and talk to us about the challenges of setting up a new business and we are delighted that Lana will be visiting us in January. More about that later. In the meantime, Lana is running some workshops for people who are interested in setting up their own business and there is a 20% discount for EEWI members. They cover topics ranging from writing a business plan to marketing and customers . If you are interested, take a look at what's going on here. Might be a good time to get ready for those New Year resolutions now!

loving our library

2011-10-26T14:09:00.000+01:00

What's this? Cake in the library and not a shush within hearing? It was our great coffee morning at Bethnal Green Library courtesy of librarian Richard and his people. We had a tour round the library, a look at the lovely stained glass (Motherhood, Fatherhood and Peace!), a quick trip to see the magnificent tile work in the ladies and gents, and, ahem, cake of course. Seems we were all thinking along autumnal lines and there were three different types of apple cake available to celebrate apple day. At least Jackie had the forethought to bring along some cheese biscuits. And Janet says that Bethnal Green has the best selection of talking books she's seen in the Borough. Definitely worth a visit for the green location, historic ambience, and the books - of course.

Our thanks go to Clare for organising our outing and to Richard and everyone at the library for giving us such a warm welcome.

Don't forget - if you have not signed the NFWI petition to save our libraries (not everyone is as lucky as us) do please pop along to the online version here.

a round heeled woman

2011-10-23T21:23:00.000+01:00

It seems to me that there is something rather indulgent about going to a matinee performance. Perhaps that contributed to everyone's obvious enjoyment of Sharon Gless's performance in A Round Heeled Woman. She was absolutely fabulous playing a sixty six year old woman who places an ad looking for, well, company let's say. Funny, poignant, clever, and truthful. What's more, we were lucky to participate after the performance in the Q&A session with both Sharon and Jane Juska, author of the book on which the play is based. Why did she wait 30 years before placing her ad? She was too busy of course.

Thanks to Niki for organising our outing, and to the lovely women who came along.

oh what a lovely night

2011-10-20T21:58:00.000+01:00

What a lovely evening we had launching the Food Sharing Project with Sue and Corinne from Project Phakama. Listening to everyone's food stories, recipes, memories of families and friends, and then sharing salads ...

and savouries ...

and sweet things...

and the recipes they would like to find.

It was an absolute pleasure.

We're very excited about working with Phakama, helping with growing and making and feasting. We'll be hearing more in the New Year. I'll be adding a link to Phakama's blog - as soon as I can find it. In the meantime, see you at Bethnal Green Library tomorrow morning.

october meetings - bring a friend!

2011-10-17T17:41:00.000+01:00

Seems like I forgot to remind you all about our October meeting. Must have been all that cake making for the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street. Hope you saw us in East End Life with our cakes (my mum missed it and had to trawl back through her recycling!). We'll still be on a food theme for our meeting tomorrow Tuesday 18th October when Phakama will be joining us to launch their food sharing project. We'll be meeting at our usual time - 7.30 for 8pm, St Margaret's House, Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PL and this month we're inviting you to bring a friend for free (we normally suggest a £3 donation). It would be lovely if you could join in with the event by bringing a favourite recipe/ story/ food to share. Don't worry if you're not a cook - just bring yourself and a food story. There's sure to be enough to go round.

I'm thinking of apples at the moment as it's Apple Day on Friday 21st October. Or I may save that for the cake I'm going to make for our Coffee Morning this Friday. We're planning something a little different to support the NFWI's Love Your Libraries Campaign, so we will be meeting at Bethnal Green Library at 10.30am. We'll be supplying the cakes ourselves, so if want to bake something, please do. Everybody is welcome, so come and join us.

Love Your Libraries

2011-09-21T08:51:00.000+01:00

Following huge support at the Annual Conference, the NFWI has launched its Love Your Libraries campaign. Part of the campaign is a petition calling on the Government to honour its commitment to champion the library service. We are hoping that there will 100,000 signatures and trigger a debate in Parliament. You can sign the petition online via the Government's e-petition website. And do remember to encourage others to sign the petition too!

We'll be doing our own bit to support our own public library service, kicking off with a coffee morning in October. Watch this space for more info!

EDITED TO ADD: Forgot to mention that you can get into see films at Rich Mix on Mondays and Tuesdays at a reduced rate if you show your Tower Hamlets Ideas Stores Card. Wish I'd have remembered that before I paid full price this week to see Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy....

to the rescue: two: our september meetings

2011-09-18T20:11:00.000+01:00

If you remember this session, you'll remember what a brilliant night we had with Cynthia Gerald when she held a singing workshop for us. We're delighted that Cynthia has come to our rescue after we had to change our planned activity this month. This time she has some rather different tunes up her sleeve (what? is that where she keeps them?). This is going to be a session that everyone can enjoy no matter whether you sing or not. We'll be meeting at the usual place - St Margaret's House, Old Ford Road, E2 on 20th September, 7.30 for 8pm. We'll provide the tea and coffee, but do feel free to bring a bottle or share some nibbles if you wish. If you are not a member, we suggest a donation of £3 for the evening.

Our coffee morning on Friday 23rd September takes us a bit further east to the Albion Cafe, 2-4 Boundary Street, E2. Meet up in the cafe at 10.30am. We're told the cakes are very good.

If you have a favourite coffee shop that you'd like to suggest for our monthly coffee morning visit, or maybe a museum or art gallery where we can have coffee and see an exhibition too, do let us know.

Oh, and don't forget to post your snaps for our photography competition. You'll find the details here.

to the rescue

2011-09-18T19:06:00.000+01:00

What's this? No cake? But hold on, who's that coming in through the storm?

It's Clare, isn't it? With more supplies. Clare you are a marvel. Your sultana cake and madeira cake eked out the last of our meagre supplies at the Poplar Festival in Bartlett Park on Saturday where we were helping to celebrate 60 years of the Lansbury Estate. The theme was positively 1950s as we shared our tent with the 1950s Museum and tombola while our Lady Luck Jive regaled us with dance vibes while the sun shone.

There was a steady flow of customers until the rain poured down, the crowds poured in and Clare came to the rescue. All this after running our annual stall the week before at St Barnabas Fete where we served up cream teas and biscuits.

Many thanks to all the excellent women who helped put at both events. We are really grateful and hope you enjoyed yourselves too. If you would like to come and help out on one of our tea and cake stalls we have one more event coming up for the Battle of Cable Street celebrations on 1st October, 12 - 5pm in St George's Gardens. It would be lovely to see you.

stop press!

2011-09-12T10:34:00.000+01:00

Just to let you know that the proposed U-Turn quiz has been postponed until November. We'll set aside the prizes that some of you have so kindly and generously donated until then.

We've also had to change our planned activity for the September 20th meeting, so watch this space to find out we have planned. Our coffee morning will take place on Friday 23rd September will be at the Albion Cafe in Shoreditch. More details soon....

snappy

2011-08-19T08:00:00.000+01:00

I hope everyone's photographic skills have improved exponentially after Ella's perfectly pitched presentation this week (thanks, Ella!). Lydia chose East End WI as the story for her snaps, with a lovely shot of the bargain EEWI badges and mirrors Sarah has made for us to sell. I managed to get a couple of photos of people playing on the WiiFit Plus equipment (thanks ladies!) but I don't think people would thank me for publishing their attempts at virtual hula-hooping or standing on one leg. Nor would the snaps have been quite right for our photographic competition. The theme is "green" so make the most of the last days of summer with some happy snapping. More details soon.

There will be a chance for some practice today at our coffee morning at the Zealand Cafe (corner of Zealand Road and Roman Road, just along from St Barnabas. 10.30am onwards). Later on in the day, there will be plenty of green at our summer picnic - Wennington Green, Mile End Park (opposite St Barnabas Church in Grove Road) from 5.30pm onwards. Just bring a blanket and some teatime treats. Looks like it might actually be fine weather...

whatever next?

2011-08-09T14:04:00.000+01:00

With such turmoil going on over the last few days, we want to remind everyone how important it is to get together and celebrate the good things about the East End, and especially EEWI. So big thanks to everyone who has been involved in all our events over the last few weeks, especially those dedicated troopers who turned out for the Museum of Childhood Summer Festival and have only just managed to dry out after torrential rain in the afternoon. And to the lovely Ruth for taking the floor at our last meeting and showing us how to sort out our wardrobes. Now we all know how to make the most of our assets, plentiful or otherwise. It was a fab evening and we learnt a great deal about how to liberate our unloved stuff and fill our wardrobes with gladrags instead. We're very,very proud that we have such talented members willing to share their knowledge and skills with us.

We are equally delighted that at the August meeting, our Ella will be showing us how to improve our holiday snapshots with a session on using photography, focusing on how to get the best from your digital camera. We'll also be launching our photography competition for summer, so do bring along your cameras and get some expert advice. We'll also have the people from WiiFit with a demo on how you might use some electronic help to stay fit. We are meeting on 16th August, our usual venue, St Margaret's House, Old Ford Road, E2, 7.30pm for 8pm. We'll have tea and coffee for you, and as many cakes as our generous bakers bring along, but do feel free to bring a bottle too if you wish.

On Friday 19th August we have our coffee morning from 10.30am at the Zealand Cafe, on the corner of Zealand Road and Roman Road, just along from St Barnabas Church - it's quite a small venue, but they know we're coming. And in the evening we'll be gathering from 5.30pm onwards for our summer picnic at Wennington Green, Mile End Park, close to the Adizone/ Bow Wharf. Just bring some food and drink, blankets and bunting and your happy selves and family.

We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for fine weather. And if it rains there are plenty of pubs nearby for us to get dry. Or wet our whistles.

it's summertime

2011-08-03T00:30:00.000+01:00

We're well and truly in the swing of serving tea and cakes this summer. We didn't quite manage the tea at St Margaret's House Garden Party because we couldn't get into the kitchen, though thanks to Clare, Carolyn, Elizabeth, Janet and Vivien we did manage to serve up a few cakes while listening to the music. So Heather made up for it by managing three teapots at once when we were participants in the wonderful artwork that was the Piccadilly Community Centre.

Annie and Elizabeth had a lovely time chatting to the tourists. and selling crafts by our makers and our own EEWI bags and flowers. They learnt all about knitting in Latvia, what some Portuguese students were doing in London, found a WI member from the North East and were given a donation from a lovely American lady in memory of her mother-in-law who loved the WI.

And when she wasn't chatting to people, Elizabeth went nuts with the fluffy flowers.

Indoors, Anne, Clare, Heather and Veronika charmed visitors and centre users with their tea and cookies and cakes. We'd nearly sold out by the time we left.

And to keep everyone busy we offered a choice of pompom making with Jo, or rag-rugging with Janet (Janet- where were you hiding when I came along with my camera?)

Thanks to friends who came and visited us on the day. Don't worry though if you missed us, because we'll be at the Museum of Childhood Summer Festival this weekend - Sunday 7th August from 11.30am - 4.30pm - having a good time with more EEWI goodness. Do pop in if you are passing by!

blossom

2011-07-30T00:12:00.000+01:00

We got a little bit hot in the sun on Thursday at St Margaret's House Garden Party, but that hasn't stopped us hoping for more sun on Saturday when we are at the the Piccadilly Community Centre from 10 - 6. Come and buy a bag, make a pom pom or rag a rug, have a cup of tea and something to eat. Or just blossom in the sun (we hope).

tea anyone?

2011-07-26T22:49:00.000+01:00

Right now we're thinking about what cakes to make for a couple of events we've got coming up this week. On Thursday we'll be serving tea and cake at St Margaret's House Garden Party, a family event for the local community. Admission is free and includes lots of fun things for children and, erm, us of course with our tea and cakes. Do pop in and say hello if you are around.

We're also very excited about being involved in the pop-up Piccadilly Community Centre this Saturday 30th July from 10am until around 4.30pm. Hauser and Wirth Art dealers have converted their Piccadilly gallery, just along the road from Fortnum and Mason, into a fully functioning community centre for a ten weeks, complete with a charity shop, a range of classes, a community canteen, and a stall outside in the St James Arts and Crafts Market. We'll be making tea and selling food in the canteen, running some indoor crafting activities, and selling muffins/ cupcakes and crafted goods on the outdoor stall. It's the centre's last day, so we want to make sure as many people as possible know about the work of the WI and what a lovely cup of tea we make. Along with everything else, of course.

Come and say hello!

July Meetings

2011-07-15T09:23:00.000+01:00

We're really excited to have the lovely Ruth along at our next meeting on 19th July to talk to us on how to discover your true shape and learn how to dress to enhance it. Yes, ladies, we're being superstyled!

The question on everyone’s lips will be what body shape am I? When you discover your true shape you can quickly learn to dress to enhance it. You will have many "ah ha!" moments when you realise why clothes suit you and others don’t. You will be able to shop quickly and with confidence in future and enjoy choose outfits from your wardrobe that really flatter and enhance your best bits. It will revolutionise the way you look and feel when you get dressed.

The talk will last about 25-30 minutes including live demonstrations and there will be a special offer on the night for EEWI women to tap into more of Superstyling’s personal shopping and personal styling services.Ruth’s website is: www.superstyling.me.uk

So come along, bring a friend (£3 suggested donation for non- members), share a cake, whatever. Tuesday 19^th July at St Margaret’s House, Old Ford Road, E2, 7.30 for 8pm start.

Don't forget too that we will also be taking in Denman Award applications (follow the link for a copy of the form) for our fabulous £200 bursary towards the cost of a Denman College course. If you're not sure what you fancy, then take a look at the new Denman website here. So much to choose from!

For our Coffee Morning this month we are hoping to go to the Counter Cafe on Roach Road, Fish Island. The café has moved into Stour Space Art Gallery and has stunning views of the Olympic Park. We plan to meet there at 10.30am and if anyone is interested in either joining a cycling party to the café or a public transport one or would like a lift please do let us know.

The 339 from Bow goes to near to the café and is easy to get to by bike.

this weekend

2011-06-29T21:33:00.000+01:00

We'll be at Parklife selling cakes on Sunday. Do come along, say hello, and applaud the dog who looks most like his owner - or is it the other way round? If you want to bake or help out, let me or Clare know.

Some of us will also be in the WI tent at the Big Feastival at Clapham Common over the weekend too, starting Friday afternoon. Feastival is a foodie event and it wouldn't be proper without the WI there. If you are a keen baker, there is a competition too - details above.

If we don't see you, do have a sunny weekend.

raiding the larder

2011-06-24T15:46:00.000+01:00

Lovely to see you ladies - and young Jemima too - at The Larder in Globe Road this morning. We're very grateful to the friendly staff for making us all comfortable and for their excellent service. We all agreed that we'd made a good choice for our cake and cookie tasting - but we were unanimous that the almond, orange and polenta (gluten-free!) cake took the biscuit. Except Jemima who preferred her Pom-Bears and playing in toy corner.

Be warned, We'll be back.

this weekend

2011-06-22T20:51:00.000+01:00

If it stops raining - and I think it will - you might want to go along to one of the free events at the Greenwich and Docklands Festival that starts this weekend. More information here.

Whatever you're up to, have fun.

don't forget...

2011-06-18T16:27:00.000+01:00

Calendula

Just to remind you that our next evening meeting will be on 21st June at St Margaret’s House, Old Ford Road , E2, 7.30 for 8pm start. We’ll be treating to ourselves to a bit of crafty goodness with Sarah from Violet Iris who will show us how to make lip balm. All you have to do is to bring a small pot/ jar to take home your finished product. So come along, bring a friend (£3 suggested donation for non- members), share a cake, whatever. We’re looking forward to celebrating the solstice with you!

We’re trying out a new establishment for this month's coffee morning on 24th June. The Larder in Globe Road , E2 (just around the corner from St Margaret’s House, and opposite Prick Your Finger Haberdashery) is a new cafe-cum- deli. You can see a review here. We’ll be meeting there at 10.30am. Would be lovely to see you there.

eyes down

2011-05-25T23:23:00.000+01:00

We had a great time trying out our hand again with some more life drawing last week, this time with charcoal and collage. But poor Estelle... she got a bit chilly posing for us even though we were concentrating really hard to get our collages done quickly. Our collective thanks go to the ever patient Kate Hardy for her guidance and encouragement, and to Estelle for sitting for us with such fortitude (we'll make sure it's warmer next time).

Thanks too to everyone who baked and bought cakes for the Cake Break from MS. There was an opportunity for second helpings at our Friday coffee morning at the Create Place, just a few doors along from our evening home at St Margaret's House. What a lovely morning. A warm welcome, a cosy atmosphere, lots of chat and laughter between cups of tea and some truly delicious cakes. (Jackie - I need that recipe for the delicious orange and almond cake, please!).

We also had a chance to see what the Create Place has to offer - lots of handmade goodness for sale, and a sewing class in progress upstairs with Amanda.

If you fancy it, you too can drop in on Friday mornings to the Create Place Sewing Cafe (machines for hire at £7 per hour). Other courses are listed on the website.

More news soon on what we have lined up for you at our next meeting on 21st June.

Happy holiday weekend!

the women's library needs you!

2011-05-10T12:43:00.000+01:00

The Women's Library in Aldgate, home to the archive of the NFWI, is looking for a small band of volunteers adept with a needle for a one-day project. On Tuesday 21st June they will be labelling (sewn labels), packaging and hanging (on padded hangers which we will make) the costumes used in a 1969 WI production called 'The Brilliant and The Dark', performed at the Royal Albert Hall. This promises to be a sociable, fun day.

The library also needs someone in the next two or three weeks to write descriptions of the costumes. The volunteer needs to be able to work with good attention to detai - measuring, describing and typing up. There are 20-25 items in total, so it's not a huge task but it will require a day or two.

If you are interested and can help, please contact Colleen or leave a comment on this post.

Edited to add - yet again : The Women's Library have confirmed that the date should be 7th June from 10am - 4pm, If you plan to come, or can no longer make it, please let Colleen know by leaving a message. Cheers!

maytime: a bit of life, craft and cake

2011-05-09T18:41:00.000+01:00

Hope you all had a lovely Easter and are ready for our next adventure. This month the multi-talented artist Kate Hardy will be joining us on 17th May to lead another of her brilliant life drawing classes. Kate has visited us a couple of times before and we normally find that we have a full house, so do try to come along early. We will also be mandating our delegate - this year someone from N1 WI - to put forward our votes on motions to the NFWI AGM. We'll be at the usual place, usual time - 7.30 for 8pm start at St Margaret's House, Old Ford Road, E2. All materials will be supplied. Free for members, suggested donation of £3 for non-members. We'll also be raising money for Cake Break for MS, so if you are a baker, novice or otherwise, do please bring along some home-made cakes for us to sell, and some spare change to but something!

We hope to raise more for the charity at our coffee morning at 10.30am on 20th May. This time we'll be visiting the wonderful Create Place (just a few doors down from St Margaret's House) where we'll be able to buy tea and coffee, look at the merchandise and see what they goes on in this craft-y venture. So more cakes for sale would be welcome there too!

Just to get your appetite whetted, here's a wee sample here of what our faithful bakers made when they generously turned up to support the Mile End Cemetery event last Sunday. Well done all, especially Clare who co-ordinated our team - and, according to my John, made the very best fruit cake.

And if you didn't make it to our last meeting, just a little taster of what you missed...

Our thanks go to Theresa from Kitchen Buddy for demonstrating how to make delicious raw food salads and for sharing her healthy chocolate - and to Veronika for setting up the event and being such a diligent sous chef. Look out Masterchef...

Fast Fashion Swish Event

2011-04-20T23:05:00.000+01:00

If you enjoyed the EEWI swish in January, you might be interested in the NFWI’s Swish on 21st May to launch the next stage of NFWI's Fast Fashion campaign which aims to raise awareness of unfair wages and working conditions for garment workers and the environmental impact of clothing.

The Swishing event is in London at St Bride's Foundation, Fleet Street, EC4Y 8EQ and costs £5 entry. (Drop items off at 1.30, swishing starts at 2.30). You'll be able to spend a Saturday afternoon swapping clothes, shoes and accessories with WI members and friends from across London, while enjoying tea and cupcakes and finding out more about the Fast Fashion campaign. Sewing tutors from Traid will be on hand to help you adapt and alter your swish finds, as well as stalls to browse and a film screening.

You need to take along up to five items to swish – these can include clothing, accessories and shoes. You will then be issued with a voucher for each item that can then be exchanged for your swish finds.

Places are available on a first come first served basis, but early registration by emailing e.lindsay(at)nfwi.org.uk is essential.

april treats

2011-04-15T22:45:00.000+01:00

Erm, I'm not quite sure this particular cake counts as a Healthy Easter Treat -in fact I'm pretty sure it doesn't - but will be able to have my suspicions confirmed on Tuesday 19th April when teacher and chef Theresa Webb, founder of Kitchen Buddy, will be visiting us to tell us - and let us taste - more. We'll be at our usual venue, St Margaret's House, 7.30 for 8pm. Visitors welcome ( £3 suggested donation). Do feel free to bring along some refreshments to share.

We don't have a coffee morning this month because of the Easter break, but we do have a stall at the St George's Day event at the Museum of Childhood on 23rd April from 11.30 - 4pm. We had a lovely time last year; this time round we won't be selling cakes, but we are planning to have some of our own merchandise as well as good things made by our members. And there will be a fun bunting workshop
too led by our own Jo Cass. (Donations of bunting accessories or fabric most welcome).

Enjoy the spring sunshine till then.

cushion love

2011-03-29T21:09:00.000+01:00

Just to say that you don't have to have a swish sewing machine to make stuff. This one is over thirty years old (thanks, Mum) and Annie soon took over the controls to make a lovely cushion.

Congratulations to our novices who went home with their gorgeous creations after a night at Curvey Crafters and help from Fiona, Jo, Noeline and Sunita.

spring moments

2011-03-27T21:32:00.000+01:00

Niki's been enjoying the sunshine! What have you been up to?

cups, bloomers and briefs

2011-03-18T11:57:00.000Z

Let's just say it's been a voyage of discovery. If you want to see what we discovered, come and see us tonight at Chisenhale Dance Space in Chisenhale Road, E3. We're putting on three performances in the small dance space. First one starts at 7.30pm.

Never say that EEWI doesn't take you off the couch...

a night at the sack races

2011-03-11T17:23:00.000Z

Lovely evening serving goodies to support Cafe Direct's Night at the Sack Races. Mind you, it wasn't all hard work...

Do come along and see us at Spitalfields Trader's Market tomorrow at the International Women's Fair, 10-5pm. Would be lovely to see you.

march events

2011-03-07T00:57:00.000Z

Well, we won't be dancing exactly at our evening meeting on 15th March, but we will be a little more active than usual with a Tai Chi session so come prepared with loose clothing so that you can practice some gentle and relaxing movement. We'll be meeting as usual at St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road, E2 7.30 for 8pm. Refreshments will be available, though do feel free to bring a bottle or something to share. Visitors are welcome - we invite donations of £3 to help cover our costs.

With spring in the air - we hope - our coffee morning on Friday 18th March will be at the Frizzante Cafe at Hackney City Farm on the corner of Goldsmith's Row and Hackney Road - map here. Meet in the cafe at 10.30am.

Other dates for your diary:

*We are going to be supporting Cafe Direct's "Jump in the Sack" event for Red Nose Day with tea and cakes. Next Wednesday 9th March, 7-11pm at Village Underground, 54 Holywell Road, E2.

* To celebrate International Women's Day we'll be selling cakes on Saturday 12th March 10 - 5pm at Spitalfields Market. More information here.

* Some of us (you know who you are!) will be performing "Cups, Bloomers and Briefs" with Jenny Edbrooke as part of the Chisenhale Dance Space "TV Dinners" festival from 7.30pm on Friday 18th March. All will be revealed on the day. Well, maybe not all. I hope.

* If you want to make friends with a sewing machine, we'll help you to make a simple cushion or bag at an evening workshop on Thursday 24th March, 7 - 9pm, at the Salvation Army Hall in Kerbey Street With thanks to the lovely Cecilia for donating some beautiful fabric to help us hone our sewing skills.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

garter stitch 100 this sunday

2011-02-17T15:15:00.001Z

Back to Basics would like to invite you to go along and join in their event this Sunday 20th (2-5pm) in support of Garterstitch 100's 100 million stitches for 100 million women initiative linking to International Women's day. You'll find Back to Basics at 29 Old Ford Road, just along a few doors from St Margaret's House.

It is estimated that 100 million women are missing from the world due to gender discrimination. Each stitch will represent a woman "missing" for reasons including gender provoked infanticide or abortion, sex trafficking and complications in childbirth.

Please take along your creativity and a cake to share if you'd like to. They will provide, tea, needles and yarn (but if you'd like to bring your own you are very welcome!). If you haven't knitted before they can give you some coaching. Crocheters also invited!

It's a lovely space with lovely people - you'll have fun.

(The photo comes from a little knitting session that Elizabeth was asked to run for a women's group at the Osmani Centre last week. We really enjoyed our morning. It was great to work with such attentive students and share the knitting love. It's what we're all about, after all.)

february meetings, in and out

2011-02-08T06:32:00.000Z

Hope you can join us for our meetings and outings this month. Inspired by the new film exploring the challenges faced by King George VI, we are kicking off with a night out to see The King's Speech this Thursday 10th February. Meet us at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA. The show starts at 8.30pm, but we'll start assembling just after 8.

At our evening meeting on on Tuesday 15th February, we'll be following up with a talk on stammering by Julia Ammon from the British Stammering Association. Meet as usual at St Margaret's House, 21Old Ford Road, E2 9PL, 7.30 for 8pm start. We'll provide tea, coffee and more fun, though feel free to bring a bottle too if you wish. Non- members welcome (suggested £3 donation).

Our coffee morning on Friday 18th February is a little further afield, this time to the Foundling Museum, Brunswick Square to see their exhibition 'Threads of Feeling", a display of the fabrics mothers left to identify their children when they left them at the original Foundling Hospital. There will also be a chance to see other exhibits at the museum. We'll be meeting in the cafe at 10.30 and our group visit will start at 11am. Please note that there is an entry fee of £5 per person to pay.

Finally, don't forget that we'll be serving tea and cake at the WI Crafts Day this Saturday 12th February at the Women's Library, Old Castle Street, EI (just round the corner from Aldgate East station) , 11- 4pm. This family event will bring together WI members from different federations to provide a historical context to WI crafts and the role that the WI has played in saving traditional crafts. It will demonstrate some of the contemporary work of the WI and provide an opportunity to learn more with stalls, display and demonstrations, including patchwork quilting, knitting, lacework and rag rugs. YOu'll also be able to see Handmade Tales, the current exhibition. It would be lovely to see you there supporting the WI and the Women's Library.

Busy, busy, busy....

lovely times

2011-01-31T00:46:00.000Z

Thanks so much to Ella for being our official photographer on our night out at the Olive. It was such a lovely evening. Attentive service, great food and first class company- thirty three of us! Loved it.

swished!

2011-01-26T17:53:00.000Z

Oh my goodness. What an exhausting evening that was. So many of you bringing in your unwanted goodies to swap with some really generous contributions, and so many swishing bargains to be had. Lots of happy faces at home time as people left with their newly acquired treasures.

Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun with such good humour, especially those of you who worked on valuing stuff, setting up the stalls, collecting the tokens and making the tea (lovely cake again, Elizabeth). I've been making the most of my new red cardi - just right for the cold snap that's coming up this weekend. Hope you are enjoying the additions to your wardrobes too. Let's do it again sometime.

Off now to get my gladrags on for our EEWI supper at The Olive. xx

get swishing!

2011-01-14T22:31:00.000Z

If, like me, you've adopted a "one in, one out" policy to manage the amount of stuff in your cupboards, you might want to take advantage of our swishing session at our next meeting on 18th January. The idea is you bring good quality, unwanted clothes and Christmas gifts and exchange then for a token or tokens and then once we have taken in all the goods you can use your tokens to buy back something for yourself. You can bring any clothes or gifts as long as they are in good condition and you REALLY don't want them any more. We will "price" them up -please don't get offended if you feel we have under-priced your items - we will be trying to get the pricing done as swiftly as possible so we can get the shopping started!!! We may also have a system for purchasing tokens if you don't have any stuff to bring along - you don't have to come armed with swaps to come along and take part!

7.30pm start - we will attempt to get all your items in and priced up by 8.30pm then the shopping will commence.

Tea and coffee provided, please feel free to bring a bottle.

Free for members , £3 for visitors at St Margaret's House 21 Old Ford Road E2.

www.stmargaretshouse.org.uk

For our coffee morning on Friday 21st January we are going to visit the Museum of London in Docklands at West India Quay for coffee. Entry is free, so you can go straight in to the cafe to meet at 10.30am, then if you fancy it, catch up on local history at the museum with a visit to the Siege of Sidney Street exhibition. Or something less worthy...

To help us get through the rest of January, don't forget too that we're having our post Christmas supper at the Olive on 26th January. Let Niki know if you are coming so that we can book in advance.

See you soon.

christmas starts here

2010-12-17T22:57:00.000Z

Our traditional Christmas Craft evening this week was a cracking finish for our meetings this year. It's always such a pleasure to see everyone looking so pleased with the things they made. It was lovely too to see our "We Heart EEWI" tree surrounded by the generous gifts members brought for our friends at U-Turn.

Mulled wine, mince pies and our first Christmas Craft Market added to the hubbub. There was so much tempting gorgeousness around. Special thanks go to Jill for generously making the screen printed and hand painted bags - wonderful designs and an absolute snip at £4 a bag - there are a few left if anyone's interested, but be quick. (You'll find a link to all of our stallholders details here shortly.)

Congratulations to the winners of our annual mince pie bake off (sorry - only crumbs left when I thought about taking a picture), the Christmas Quiz and Guess the Weight of the Queensland Blue (!) competions. And many, many thanks to Jo, Elizabeth and Veronika for leading our flowery, hearty and chocolatey activities and our heroic and flu-battered Clare for her alchemical skills at mixing mulled wine.

The last word goes to , Niki who puts so much seemingly endless energy into making EEWI such a vibrant community of women:

"One of the best moments for me was seeing one of the U-Turn staff struggling down the alleyway with an Ikea bag filled to the brim with presents. Your generosity never ceases to move me and U-Turn is so grateful to us for this gesture - it means an awful lot to them so thank you from me, the committee and from Rio Vella, Project Director of U-Turn.

Our coffee morning today was so great and as the snow fell on the garden at the Geffrye Museum we drank tea and ate cake watching the landscape outside become very Christmassy indeed."

Indeed, indeed.

Happy Christmas to you all.

we heart EEWI

2010-12-11T00:33:00.000Z

If you are in Bethnal Green tomorrow, do pop in and see the East End WI Christmas Tree at the Christmas Tree Festival at Bethnal Green Mission, opposite the Museum of Childhood in Cambridge Heath Road. There are some charming and quirky creations in there and we heart out little EEWI tree. I mean where else are you going to find a tree with icing sugar as fake snow? It's free to get in and you should be able to buy a cup of tea if you need one (as one does).

bloodlines and snow

2010-12-05T12:05:00.000Z

We're so glad that the Overground was working on Wednesday when we had to get over to the Brockley Jack to see Bloodlines. You know what an adventure it can be getting to the other side of the river. Well done everyone who made it.

Great little theatre, wonderful spartan set, spirited acting - we loved Mary Queen of Scots and her embroidery - "not while we are embroidering" she says when it seems there is going to be a bit of a row. Must remember that line.

Sleepy Hollow next?

wine, women and song

2010-12-03T11:37:00.000Z

Almost forgot to mention what a fabulous evening we had at the AGM. The lovely Mike and Maureen from Waitrose Canary Wharf did a first class job of presenting and serving a selection of Christmas wines - we are super-grateful to them and to Waitrose for their generosity in providing their time and the wine. If you weren't able to get a copy of the list I've posted it here for you. Many thanks too to Clare and Veronika for organising the wine-tasting and the mini-feast that accompanied the wine.

Congratulations to everyone who took up the challenge of making something from a Cafe Direct coffee sack. As someone whose sack got a bit holey after a spin in the washing machine, I can only say it was not as simple as it looked. Anyway we had some lovely entries and clearly lots of work had gone into making them as well as not a little imagination. Whoever would have thought you could craft a sack bouquet? Well done all!

As to the song - Gemma gave us a wee reminder of what a coup it would be if Jerusalem - including al of our lovely EEWI singers - could make it to the Christmas charts. If you buy a copy on 12th December they just might.

Don't forget our next meeting on 14th December. We've been planning our craft evening and there will be chocolate, flowers, hearts and who knows what elve. And mince pies, ladies, for our annual mince pie competition. We need your homemade mince pies!

december meetings

2010-11-20T15:15:00.000Z

Yes, yes, yes. I know it's early to be showing a Christmas tree, but we want to make sure that you know what we are up to this month because, well, you know what it's like this time of year. Our December meeting is on 14th December at St Margaret's House, Old Ford Road, 7.30 for 8, for our annual Christmas Crafts event. Lots of crafty things to do and no doubt a tipple and other refreshments. Don't forget to bake some mince pies for our competition too - yes, there will be a prize for the winner! All welcome - £3 charge on the door for guests/ non-members.

Our coffee morning on Friday 18th December will be at the Geffrye Museum so that we can see their "Christmas Past" exhibition. Meet in the cafe inside the museum at 10.30. Free entry.

If you are passing by Bethnal Green Mission Church (Cambridge Heath Road, opposite the Museum of Childhood) on Saturday 11th December we'll have an EEWI tree on display there as part of their Christmas Tree festival. Pop in and see our tree - entry is free and you can bu tea and cake there too.

Finally, if you want a little virtual stocking filler, you might want to buy a copy of the WI version of Jerusalem which features our very own Harmonies member Gemma, Niki, Jo C and Cynthia. We are very proud of you, ladies.

november meetings

2010-11-03T01:00:00.000Z

OMG - the clocks have gone back and it's time for the AGM already! Our 16th November meeting is our Annual General Meeting - members only, please - when we will be rewarded for out rapt attention to the administration of our branch and election of officials etc by a delicious wine tasting, courtesy of the wine experts from Waitrose at Canary Wharf (thank you! thank you!). Non alcoholic drinks and complementary nibbles will also be available to taste. Remember to bring along the crafted wonders you have been making with your Cafe Direct coffee sacks for our competition, with prizes too. If you have not started snipping yet and need some inspiration, then go over to their flickr page and take a look at the wonderful things other WI members have already done - love those panniers. The meeting will be at our usual venue, St Margaret's House in Old Ford Road, next door to the Gallery Cafe.

Our coffee morning on Friday 19th November will be at Fresh, 275 Whitechapel Road which you will find immediately next door to the exit at Whitechapel Underground Station. It may look small on the outside, but there is plenty of room upstairs. We'll gather at 10.30am as usual.

If you are into crafting, here will be another meeting of the Curvey Crafters at the Salvation Army Hall on Kerbey Street, Poplar, E14 on Thursday 11th November, 7.30pm - 9pm. Just bring along whatever you are working on and share some good company. There is a small charge (£1.50) to cover the cost of refreshments.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

hurwunderful

2010-10-28T13:29:00.000+01:00

We had a lovely time this week. Local drama group Phakama ran a warm, welcoming and fun-filled drama workshop for us with singing, stories, games and a little bit of wire scupture too. Even if you, like me, you went along feeling rubbish, what with the cold, wet weather and viruses about this week, you came out feeling energised and full of life. We're delighted that the lovely Corinne from Phakama wants to work with us again and has invited us to become part of their community chorus in their show "The World at My Feet", to be performed in February 2011, so look out for more information in our next newsletter.

Our Friday coffee morning at Hurwundekei was fab too. Good cakes, well up to EEWI standards, in vintage surroundings with a table large enough to accommodate a dozen chatty women and, erm, a horse's head for company. As you can see, not a crumb remaining when we left, though we did leave the horse. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

And, if you like all things crafty, you might think about going along to Curvey Crafters, a new group for over-18s set up by multi-talented EEWI members Jo and Noeline. They are meeting tonight from 7 - 9pm at the Salvation Army building, Kerby Street, Poplar. Just take along a current project - knitting, sewing, card making, whatever - and make progress with some good company. There's a charge of £1.50 - refreshments will be available. The group meets every two weeks; next meeting scheduled for 11th November.

Finally, an apology from me for failing to post info on October meetings on the blog. I'm getting old and forgetful...obviously.

Message From The President

2010-10-21T16:50:00.001+01:00

Dear All,

I am really sorry to have discovered that many of you have not been receiving the newsletter by email. There seems to be a technical issue that we are looking into as when I send the newsletter out it all looks fine from my end. However we now email over 300 women and I recognise that when you are dealing with this many people hiccups can occur. So first of all many, many apologies. Secondly we will do our very best to keep the blog up to date so that it is your first port of call if your newsletter doesn't appear. In the mean time if you think you have not been getting the emails please let me know by contacting me on niki.stevens@btinternet.com.

Next meeting is the AGM and is members only although you can join on the night if you so wish and don't forget that gives you from now until December 2011. The meeting is on Tuesday 16th November at St Margaret's House and is wine and non-alcoholic drinks tasting. 7.30pm onwards.

On the whole we always meet on the third Tuesday of the month however our December meeting will be on the 14th of December to avoid being too close to Christmas.

There will be more information about everything above on the blog in the near future.

Many apologies again

Niki Stevens
President EEWI

a visit from little anne

2010-10-04T14:16:00.000+01:00

We had a new visitor, several in fact. Beverley Jeal from the London Ambulance Service brought them along to show us some first aid.

It was harder work than we thought it would be.

And we had to overcome our squeamishness about mouth to mouth.

Once we overcame any initial apprehension, we were really pleased to learn such a valuable new skill. But then we had a great teacher - Beverley was brilliant! - and if all of the ambulance service staff are as good as her, then we certainly are in safe hands.

september meetings

2010-09-07T09:48:00.000+01:00

If you missed seeing Niki at Paradise Gardens testing out a LAS paramedics bike, you'll be able to find out a bit more about the real thing at our next meeting on 21st September. Beverley Jeal, a public education co-ordinator for the London Ambulance Service, will be coming to give us a little talk with information about the London Ambulance Service including their responses and figures etc, the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack and how to recognise them, then the basic life support skills. After this the floor will be open to questions. This is a great opportunity to leave the meeting with a new life saving skill and a better understanding of The London Ambulance Service.

We are also playing host to a project that recycles and mends old and broken jewellery to raise money for the Alzheimers Society. They are collecting and need anything from gold, silver or fashion pieces and metal to make into new items . Pieces will be for sale and if you have any old or broken jewellery you could donate please do bring it with you.

We'll be meeting as usual at St Margaret's House in Old Ford Road. Usual time - 7.30pm for 8.00 start. Refreshments provided, though do feel free to bring a bottle to share. To get to St Margaret's House, from Bethnal Green Underground (Central Line), take the Museum of Childhood exit. Proceed along Museum frontage to the first corner which is Old Ford Road.

Turn right into Old Ford Road and No.21 is on the other side of the road, just past York Hall.

Buses: Nos. 8 -106 - 254 - 309 - 388 - D3 and D6.

Car: There should be parking in
Victoria Park Square, Approach
Road and other surrounding roads.

Our coffee morning on Friday 24th September will be at Roastars cafe, under the Green Bridge, 389 Mile End Road, map here. We'll gather at around 10.30am. Look forward to seeing you there.

harvest time

2010-09-07T09:28:00.000+01:00

Here are a couple of events you might be interested in:

Abbey Gardens Harvest Festival, Saturday 11 September midday - 4pm
A free event celebrating the second season of What Will The Harvest Be? at Abbey Gardens.

Anyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the garden, delicious food made with produce grown by our gardening club and lots of tea and cake. Activities for grown-ups and children include garden-inspired competitions, garden tours and craft making. Vegetables, plants and flowers to take home are available for donations from our Honesty Stall.

Abbey Gardens is a community garden where anyone may learn to grow organic vegetables, fruit and flowers. There are regular garden club sessions and the garden is open to visitors from dawn till dusk. New gardeners are always welcome. What Will The Harvest Be? is a project by artists Karen Guthrie and Nina Pope, of Somewhere, with Friends of Abbey Gardens, a group of local residents. The gardens surround part of the ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey.
More information on Abbey Gardens blog;http://www.abbeygardens.org/> or What Will The Harvest Be? <http://www.whatwilltheharvestbe.com/blog/>

Map: Nearest tubes: West Ham (Jubilee, District and Hammersmith & City) or Stratford (Central). Cyclists usually visit us via the Greenway, which has an exit onto Abbey Road. No residents’ parking restrictions on Saturdays but parking on Bakers Row itself is limited.

Spitalfields Show and Green Fair Sunday 12th September 2010 12pm – 5pm

The Spitalfields Show and Green Fair

is being held in Allen Gardens and Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, E1 5AR.
It combines the annual horticultural show of fruit, vegetables, flowers and home produce with a Green Fair promoting the care and enjoyment of our natural environment.

The Spitalfields Show is a glorious display of home grown produce by people from all over London. Entries are accepted in 13 sections and 101 classes, featuring everything from flower arranging to fruit, vegetables and herbs and from pot plants and preserves to cookery and handicrafts, not forgetting the special children's section. Whether you have a garden, allotment, backyard, balcony or window box you can enter this show.

The Green Fair will feature stalls promoting healthy living and giving out nutritional advice, you can pick up information on recycling, composting and growing your own food or attend a biodiversity and sustainability workshop. Visitors will also have the opportunity to join in with activities on Spitalfields City Farm.

bags, buttons, bikes, biscuits and bats

2010-08-26T12:59:00.000+01:00

Well done everyone who managed to make a bag at our silk screening session last week. Jill worked really hard to make sure as many people as possible got a chance to print and take home a bag and we are really grateful to her for sharing her time and for being paid in cake. And there were some very vibrantly coloured bags made - looking forward to seeing them around the East End full of good things. We're hoping to run a separate session at the Brady Centre so that those who didn't get a chance to make a bag have another opportunity, so look out for more information soon.

Thanks too to Elizabeth for turning out some lovely Dorset Buttons with her diligent group of buttoneers. We'd love to see what you do with them.

There were lots of great suggestions for the Cafe Direct Coffee Sacks so we're planning a wee competition ourselves for our AGM - more information coming up in our newsletter. Cafe Direct have been really supportive of East End WI so we want to come up with some brilliant examples of sack crafting. You can see what other WIs have been getting up to if you follow the link to the Cafe Direct website. So get your thinking caps on and your scissors sharpened.

And is if that wasn't enough excitement for one week (some of us lead very quiet lives, you know), we had a lovely green tea-time picnic in the park on Friday evening - plenty of food, drink, good company, lots of bikes and no rain. Not much evidence of Olympic themed menus other than five oat and raisin cookies mimicking the Olympic symbol. But surely the prize should go to Victor for his Olympian efforts in giving us a tour round the park on the back of his bicycle made for two! Our gold medal winner, I think...

Next up, Batwalk, 7pm Tuesday 31st August, starting outside the Palm Tree pub.

fun and games

2010-08-20T15:29:00.000+01:00

We'll be picnicking in Victoria Park from 5pm this afternoon so come and join us. You'll find us just north of the Pavilion Cafe - look out for the EEWI bunting! There's an Olympics theme to our picnic, and there will be a prize for the best picnic menu. Bring food, bring drink, bring games, bring the family, but most important bring yourselves.

Bus Tours of Olympic Site

Remember that there's an invitation to take a bus tour of the Olympics site during Open House Weekend on 18th or 19th of September. To book a place on a tour call 03002012550. Seats are being offered on a first come. first serve basis - be quick as spaces are likely to fill up quickly. Tours will run from the SCORE complex on Oliver Road in Leyton where there will be an interactive exhibition and will run between 8.30am and 6.15 pm on both days. Please note that children under 8 are not allowed on site as this is a live construction site.

London WI Event

If you are a fan of Emma Bridgewater's pottery here's an opportunity for London WI members to hear Emma talking about her 25 year old pottery company and plans for the future. The lovely ladies of Fulham and V&A WIs. have organised the even which is scheduled for 7pm on 15th September at the Victoria and Albert Museum (entry is via the side entrance on exhibition road. The talk will be followed by a wine reception from 8pm - 8.45pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Alex Gibbs (email: a(dot)gibbs(at)vam.ac.uk or call 02079422277. Book early as places are limited.

august meetings

2010-08-12T22:28:00.000+01:00

We will be trying our hand at screen printing with Jill Fulbrook, local artist and exhibition officer at the LBTH Arts and Events team when we meet on Tuesday 17th August. Jill will be helping us to screen print some EEWI bags and for a very small fee you will able to print one (or more) and take them home with you. Entry is free for members and £3 for visitors. Tea and coffee will be provided - please feel free to bring a bottle. All welcome so if you have never been before and you would like to see what we are all about please do come along.

We are also playing host this month to a project that recycles and mends old and broken jewellery to raise money for the Alzheimers Society. They are collecting and need anything from gold, silver or fashion pieces and metal to make into new items . Pieces will be for sale and if you have any old or broken jewellery you could donate please do bring it with you. We are still collecting too for the other charities we support so do please remember to bring along your old bras, newspapers, towels, pens and blankets for us to donate.

When, where and how to find us

Come along at 7.30pm for an 8pm start on Tuesday 17th August at St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road Bethnal Green E2 9PL. Entry is through the garden so if you are on Old Ford Road looking at St Margaret's House you need to go through the gate to the left of the Gallery Cafe and walk around to the garden - you will see us in the hall which is behind the Gallery Cafe,

Summer Picnic in Victoria Park - Friday 20th August

We have decided to have a late afternoon/ early evening picnic instead of a coffee morning this month. We'll meet in Victoria Park from 5pm onwards on Friday 20th August, just north of the Pavilion Cafe. Everyone welcome - friends and family. Bring a picnic and anything else you think might make the afternoon go with a swing - musical instruments, games etc. We will be setting up a gazebo and decorating it so that you are able to find us easily. If it's raining, we'll meet up at the Pavilion Cafe and move on to the Inn on the Park.

To help jolly things along, we are also going to have a prize for the best picnic menu, inspired by the 2012 Olympics. Maybe your napkins will be sporty or you might bring along some cheesy footballs but whatever you decide to do, if it is on an Olympic theme it will be entered into the competition. The winner will be announced at around 7pm (or a little later if we know you are going to turn up later).

EEWI Twilight Batwalk
As an extra treat this year we would like to invite you to come with us on a twilight batwalk with Kenneth Greenway of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. We are meeting outside the Palm Tree Pub in Mile End Park at 7pm on Tuesday 31st August.

and Kenneth will take us on an hour long walk to look at the bats in the area. The walk is accessible and suitable for all levels of fitness. We will end up back where we started and after the walk we will be pop into the Crown pub at the junction of Grove Road and Old Ford Road for a drink. (The Palm Tree is not accessible).

Places are free but are limited and so if you would like to come along please let Niki know in advance. Priority will be given to EEWI members.

smile please

2010-08-03T00:09:00.000+01:00

Summer Festival 2010, Museum of Childhood

We had a fabulous time at the Museum of Childhood Summer Festival this Sunday. It was full of sunshine, colour and smiling faces, inspiring music, dancers who looked like they'd stepped put of a story book and bubbles in the air. And cakes, of course. In fact we were so taken aback at how busy it was that we had to send for reinforcements after only an hour and a half. One little girl was asked by her mum what cake she wanted and she answered "A yellow one", which was just as well because that was all we had.

If you have ever hesitated about working on one of our cake stalls, all I can say is that you only have to see the faces of happy customers to make your day, even if you have this to look forward to when you get home...

And a reminder for the shopping list.

As ever, thanks to everyone who baked and helped on the day, and to the Museum of Childhood for looking after us so well.

down on the farm

2010-07-27T23:30:00.000+01:00

We ate well and kept good company last Friday when we met at Mudchute Kitchen for our coffee morning. Very respectable score of 7.4 for the cakes, with the rhubarb and ginger sponge, strawberry sponge and the chocolate brownie jostling for top score. We had to walk off our excesses with a visit to Pets Corner - loved those ferrets and guinea pigs! - then strolled round the farm where we admired the animals and got up close to the Gloucester Old Spot. Janet knew just how to make her smile with a scratch on the head with a stick, though I'm not sure it would suit me. Everyone was envious of the wondrous vegetables on the allotments, not mine unfortunately, and our shed was investigated to check on the little stove for making tea. We carried on around the top path admiring the views and the wayside flowers, pretending we were deep in the countryside and dreaming about all the lovely jam we might make when those brambles ripen.

Perhaps we're all just country girls at heart after all.

goddesses hit the runway

2010-07-22T22:03:00.000+01:00

Well, it was quite an evening. Sharing names, and words, and flow. We put our feet on the ground. We thought about times when we were on a roll. We had some music and some movement. We chatted and smiled and let ourselves go.

Then we took flight.

Massive thanks from us all to Cate McKenzie for leading the evening with such energy and warmth. If you want to spend some more time releasing your inner goddess Cate is running a workshop at Bromley by Bow Centre on 12th August. More details available here.

july meetings: release your inner goddess

2010-07-06T10:14:00.000+01:00

Come and join us for a workshop at our next meeting on 20th July with life coach Cate McKenzie and find out how to release your inner goddess and become more confident in day to day life. Cate is passionate about building people's confidence and helping them to connect with and create the life of their dreams. Who knows quite what will happen? A group of women releasing their inner goddesses all at once - surely it's bound to be heavenly.

We will be in our new home, St Margaret's House on Old Ford Road, and it's 7.30pm for an 8pm start. We'll provide the tea and coffee, but do feel free to share any home made baking or bring a bottle. Visitors may join us at a cost of £3.

If you feel like taking in a bit of urban countryside later in that week, come to our coffee morning at Mudchute Kitchen at 10.30am on 23rd July, the cafe at Mudchute Farm. The farm is one of Europe's largest city farms and there are a wide range of animals to admire. And it'll be interesting to test the cakes, of course. Follow this link to find out how to get there.

Let Them Eat Cake

2010-06-27T15:55:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to Let Them Eat Cake for lending us their gorgeous cake stands for Paradise Gardens. Here is their latest press release.

Vintage cake stands for high days and holidays…

Make this Summer memorable and very special with a truly unique stand from ‘Let them eat Cake’ – home of the largest vintage cake stand collection online. A modern take on an iconic British tea time symbol, Let them eat Cake’s stands are ready and waiting to take centre stage at every summer celebration.

Each stand combines vintage china that is exquisitely mismatched and often topped with a tea cup. Stands range from romantic or sophisticated to pretty or eccentric. So whether it’s a Mad Hatter’s tea party, a Summer wedding or alfresco dinner party, there’s a Let them eat Cake stand ready to show off summer delights of fruits, favours, savoury treats or even cake.

At www.letthemeatcake.co.uk you can see this stylish and stunning cake stand collection - a truly modern heirloom. Let them eat Cake have lots of inspirational ideas on ways to use them, to ensure they never get banished to the cupboard. Dress them up, dress them down or keep them naked and enjoy owning something truly individual and unique.

Leading Swedish design website ‘Hemfeber’, described them as ‘complete porcelain anarchy, which is a little fun’. Let them eat Cake founders Clare Burgess & Carole Sleight have created the perfect summer purchase for all vintage lovers, cake bakers, upcycling enthusiasts, tea party givers, those being wooed or wed ...or for those of you who just like to create a sense of occasion.

Carole and Clare established Let them eat Cake in 2008 and have had their stands featured at the ‘East London Design Show’ 2008/09 ‘Paradise Gardens Festival’ 2009/10, Hobbs and Harvey Nichols among other events. Their stands have also been in Grand Designs Magazine, Cosmopolitan Bride, Cabinet Maker’s Design Focus and others. They can be seen loaded with goodies and cakes in Xanthe Milton’s new ‘Eat Me!’ cupcake and bake book and centre stage in Annabel Karmel’s new children’s party book.

Contact Details :

Email: carole@letthemeatcake.co.uk : Tel: Carole Sleight 07768 617 081

Website: www.letthemeatcake.co.uk

2010-06-27T15:51:00.001+01:00

The July Newsletter is now available to download here

NFWI AGM Cardiff

2010-06-27T12:40:00.000+01:00

This is how I thought I should have looked when I set off for the NFWI AGM lat the beginning of June - that's what happens when you spend weeks looking through the WI archives. Alas, gone are the days when women turned up in hats and gloves and looked like they'd just stepped out of a Barbara Pym novel. Nor was there any booing either. It was a relaxed, civilised affair, though not without its moments of passion - I was teary eyed more than once through the day and it was not all hay fever.

My journey started at Epping when I joined one of the coaches carrying delegates from the Essex Federation. I'm glad I decided not to drive, because it gave me a chance to meet our Essex WI neighbours, including Angela from Stoke Newington WI ( hello, Stokey!) and hear about what the WI meant to them, different in so very many ways to the East End WI, but at the same time underpinned by many of the same values - sharing knowledge and skills, supporting other women and building communities. Sheena and Barbara from the Essex Federation did a great job in organising us and getting us to Cardiff safely - well done, them. (Warning - if you find yourself anywhere near the Swindon Outlet Retail Park, accelerate out of there. My idea of hell on earth.)

Here are the highlights of a long day.

:: for starters, hundreds of women singing Jerusalem, even if unlike them I didn't know it by heart ( oh, the shame) brings tears to the eyes. It was recorded too this time, so you may be able to hear it yourself soon.

:: OK, I'm a nerd, but Honorary Treasurer Aleathia Mann gave a really competent presentation on WI finances, though the news we heard later about the use of the WI brand on selected food products is something that will need careful monitoring.

::Speakers: Gwen Parry Jones, the only woman Director of a nuclear power station. Tim Smit from the Eden Project, exhorting us to participate in the Big Lunch - round of applause for him for saying that we actually don't live in a broken society, though it is a little bit bruised in places, and promoting the contribution that events like the Big Lunch can make to communities. Speaker John Bercow direct from the House of Commons via video link. And the lovely Lee Durrell talking about the work done in Jersey at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. (More lumps in the throat for the saving of the small species they have saved.)

:: the perplexing sight of Only Men Aloud gyrating their hips and the standing ovation they received from thousands of women. Even more perplexing - I joined in by belting out the chorus to Delilah at the top of my voice. Hmm. Something weird going on there.

:: hearing briefly about the Mums Matter campaign to improve maternal health in poor countries - do follow the link to read more and sign the petition.

The resolution for clear and mandatory labelling of country of origin on all meat, poultry and fish products got through with a massive majority so you'll be hearing more about that - you can read more about it in WI Life. And there was a reminder to make best use of the residential and day courses and Denman College.

So, all in all a great to have represented you all and to experience what the WI means to all sorts of women from across the country. Thank you so much for letting me go.

blown away

2010-06-21T23:34:00.000+01:00

The windy weather at Paradise Gardens on Saturday meant we had to peg down our banner to stop it blowing away. We still think it looked lovely, especially the wee apostrophe (no doubt Lynne Truss would have been proud of us). We had a great couple of days and were delighted with all the wondrous cakes (did anyone take snapshots?)... efficient service...

fab EEWI bags (we only had a few left they were such good value)...

and allotment-grown table flowers.

But what really blew us away was the lovely atmosphere in our very own EEWI marquee. It felt like a the best cafe buzzing with happy people; some of Akane Takayamas dogs even came to join us (where was my camera when I needed it and should we bake dog biscuits next year?).

Massive thanks to everyone who gave their time so generously baking, sewing, shifting and serving, to Let Them Eat Cake for letting us borrow their beautiful cake stands, to the electrician who got our urns working again when they went off, and to everyone who came and visited us and made our day.

we got flow

2010-06-20T02:26:00.000+01:00

If you read any of the literature about happiness you'll probably come across the idea of flow at some point. It happens when people are absorbed by what they are doing. Which explains why people looked so happy and absorbed at our June meeting. Making rosettes (and many thanks to the lovely V&A WI for sharing the instructions)...

..even doubly happy...

...or making our WI banner...

...even with a broken wrist (get well soon, B!)

or making paper bags....

or ceramics...

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to our skill sharing evening and special thanks to Mo for leading the ceramics workshop.

paradise found

2010-06-20T01:36:00.000+01:00

Paradise, it seems, is full of cakes, but only if you get there early. This was all we had left at the East End WI marquee today at five o'clock. So if you want to enjoy our baking, turn up early to Paradise Gardens this Sunday, meet lovely people, have a cup of tea and cake with us, buy one of our bags, and bliss out.

See you there.

june meetings

2010-06-11T00:24:00.000+01:00

Get away from the football at our summer crafting meeting on Tuesday 15th June when ceramics expert Murude Mehmet will show us how to make ceramic jewellery. You should bring an apron to protect clothing, a small board (small wooden cutting board is ok) everything else will be provided including clay, firing, glaze and ribbon. Whatever we make on the night will be fired after the event and distributed at a later date.

Along with the jewellery, alternative crafts will also be on offer, including newspaper bag making, led by EEWI members. If people would like to share a craft skill, do get in touch.

We will also be making a temporary sign for our tea and cake stalls. Long term we are looking at getting something we can use forever and a day but we need something fairly swiftly for the next events. We liked the idea of making it at the next meeting so that everyone can have some sort of input.

7.30pm for an 8pm start at St Margaret's House 7.30pm for an 8pm start

St. Margaret's House Settlement 21 Old Ford Road Bethnal Green E2 9PL

Entry to our new home is through the garden. Enter via the gate to the left of the Gallery Cafe and walk around to the garden - you will see us in the hall which is behind the Gallery Cafe,

Free for members £3 visitors. Tea and coffee will be provided - please feel free to bring a bottle. All welcome so if you have never been before and you would like to see what we are all about please do come along.

Please bring along your old bras, newspapers, towels, pens and blankets for our various charitable causes.

Our coffee morning will be at Rich Mix on Friday 18th June at 10.30am. For details on how to get there, follow the link or check out our newsletter.

2010-06-10T20:21:00.000+01:00

Please find June's newsletter by clicking HERE

Please find Jo's Olympic Community Engagement Team notes HERE and HERE

weekending

2010-06-08T18:28:00.000+01:00

If you are looking for a little outing this weekend - and it just might be sunny - you could make your way go to the Abbey Gardens Summer Fair this Saturday, 12th June from 12-4pm.

Abbey Gardens is an artist led community garden and they'll have plants for sale, teas, coffees, cakes, a photography exhibition, family activities and garden games. This is how it looked last time I was there in October - hope to see lots of vegetables this time round. Follow the link to the website for further information - the gardens are opposite Bakers Row (E15 3 NF) - map here.

Edited to add: More open gardens over the weekend at St Mary's Community Garden. More details on our newsletter or follow the link

nights at the museum

2010-06-08T10:34:00.000+01:00

There is something magical about being in a museum when it's closed to the public. Not that it was quiet exactly. The lovely women from the new V&A WI had invited London WIs to a Quilts social, so there was plenty of wine, food and chat going on. We were in great company, including Ruth Bond, the National Federation WI Chair and Vice Chair Janice Langley and the ladies from the Essex Federation. There was a chance to say hello to WI neighbours from Wanstead, Clapham and North West London. And then, of course, there were the glorious quilts. Sue Pritchard, the curator of the fabulous quilts exhibition, gave us a quick tour of some of the exhibits - including the evocative Rajah quilt and the work of the men from Wandsworth Prison after which we had time to look around at our own pace and be tempted by the Liberty quilting fabrics.

Massive thanks to the V&A WI for their warm welcome and generosity - and inspiring me to get on with a bit of quilting of my own,

Off to the Tower...

2010-05-28T10:00:00.000+01:00

One of the amazing elephants that form part of the Elephant Parade that are decorating London at the moment to raise awareness of the plight of Asian elephants. For more info click here
This is the one outside the Tower.

and then on to tea and cakes in the gorgeous Armouries Cafe with Moira where we judged the cakes an overall 6.9. At some point we will publish all of our results but at the end of the day this is a great cafe and we had a fabulous time. Don't forget if you are a Tower Hamlets resident you can get into the Tower for £1. Just take proof of ID and address to the ticket kiosk.

in other news...

2010-05-26T08:31:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks. We're starting to get ready for the tea and cake season - just over three weeks now until Paradise Gardens on 19th and 20th June. We'll be updating our events page with more information on places we'll be selling tea and cakes, and there will be more in our newsletter on how you can get involved in the events if you are interested.

In other news:

:: great evening at the the performance of Mrs Warren's Profession at the Comedy Theatre last Wednesday - much more thought provoking than I expected! If you are especially interested in another production, do let us know.

:: sunny weather and lots going on at the Tower of London when we had our coffee morning there last Friday - pics to follow.

:: holding our breath to find out whether the ten people who attended the food hygiene course last Saturday have passed their Level 2 test.

:: made it onto the front page of the Islington Gazette a few weeks ago after serving tea and cakes at Richard Cloudesley School at an exhibition of pupils' photography. Special thanks to Maggie for inviting us - it was a real pleasure to see everyone tucking into the cakes with such gusto.

:: went back to Chisenhale with tea and cakes for a viewing of their latest exhibition for local parents. Looking forward to being around too for the Darktown Cakewalk in July.

:: getting ready for the WI AGM next week on 2nd June in Cardiff.

Phew.

hot stuff

2010-05-26T01:30:00.000+01:00

It turned out to be a little warm last week at our new venue, St Margaret's House. The sun had been shining, the heating was still turned on and then we had the excitement of the power point blowing up! We are very grateful to Karim for keeping his cool when he told us about the excellent work of the London Air Ambulance Service in providing emergency services quickly to those who need it within the "platinum ten minutes" to save lives. Good to know that we have a crack team working at the Royal London.

Thanks too to Chris Gurney who came along to talk about the work the Food Chain does to deliver food and advice to Londoners who are chronically sick as a result of HIV infection. The Food Chain is keen to attract volunteers - to work in their kitchen, drive, navigate or help with admin work. If you want to know more, check their website, or have a word with Niki or Veronika who can tell you more about work as a volunteer for the charity.

We're loving the new venue and expect to have made ourselves properly at home when we meet there again for our next meeting on 15th of June when we'll be doing some summer crafting. Looking forward to it.

cats and dogs

2010-05-19T17:00:00.000+01:00

We had a grand day at Parklife and the Mile End dog show on Sunday. Thanks go to all you lovely bakers and helpers (and to John for putting up the gazebo) and dealing with the challenges of no power and lukewarm tea.

We did get caught in the monsoon-like downpour at four o'clock so we all got just a little bit, erm, soaked, along with the bunting and everything else. Pleased to say everything has now dried off nicely. Except my addled brain.

PS Coffee morning this Friday 21st - meet at the ticket kiosk at 10.30. If you are a Tower Hamlets resident you will get in for £1 with evidence of address ( utility bill, rates bill etc). If you are not a Tower Hamlets resident, let Niki know so that we can make alternative arrangements.

MAY NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE

2010-05-04T23:42:00.000+01:00

To access our latest newsletter click here

Shelter from the storm at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

2010-05-03T16:15:00.000+01:00

This Sunday EEWI supported the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park which looked beautiful in the rain. The cemetery park team put on a fantastic day despite the weather and the EEWI team ran the tea and cake stall which went down a storm(?) as everyone needed a hot drink to warm them up. Cakes were provided by the friends of the THCP and 75% of the money raised went to the park.

We hope that this will be the first of many events we collaborate on and are talking to Ken from the park about organising an EEWI bat walk at some point between now and September where we will be taken around a park in Tower Hamlets to watch the bats in the twilight then perhaps on to a pub.....

hats off

2010-04-27T23:40:00.000+01:00

Hats off to those who joined in serving tea at the St George's Day Tea Dance on Friday. There is nothing like a large group of elders for testing your tea making competence. We just about recovered in time to serve cakes on Saturday at the Museum of Childhood fun day in the company of Morris dancers, dragons, knights, Pearly Queens, May Queens and at least one Green Man.

Thanks for baking and helping out, ladies. The sun shone. The cakes were lovely. And as you can see, so were the hats.

floribundance

2010-04-24T00:09:00.000+01:00

Jo C ran a strict class for us this week - if you weren't testing your brain with her killer quiz then you were exercising nimble fingers cutting and trimming and primping to make the prettiest little table tussie-mussies. From the sidelines, it was a joy to see such absorption and everybody delighted with their creations.

We are immensely grateful to Jo who put in such a lot of work to make our evening so successful - that word search certainly kept us quiet, and you've got to admit that takes some doing. Congratulations go to the winners of Jo's quiz - what exactly do you have to do to remove pollen from your clothes? Can someone tell me sometime, please? Hopefully those who attended our coffee morning visit to the Geffrye Museum this morning are now experts on the art of flowers - and a good cafe experience - and will be front runners for any more quizzing.

Thanks also to our bakers for their flower-themed cakes and biscuits (sorry to have missed out on the lavender shortbread, Clare). We were very pleased indeed to have raised a very commendable £38 for cake break for MS. You'll also be pleased to learn that a might haul of your old bras made the first stage of their journey to Africa when Niki dropped them off in New Cross! And the abandoned cats and dogs of East London should be a little more comfortable with the supplies of blankets. towels and linen we collected and have now left with the Celia Hammond Animal Trust. All in all, it was a wonderful end to our time at Chisenhale, though we will be popping in again to help out serving tea, coffee and cakes at their parent's morning in May.

Don't forget, next month we meet at St Margaret's. Exciting!

out and about

2010-04-19T19:41:00.000+01:00

If the recent publicity associated with the V&A's quilt exhibition has whetted your appetite for all things quilty, you might want to go along to see the London Quilters Highlights exhibition at Swiss Cottage Library (a short walk from Swiss Cottage tube station). There are dozens of quilts on display, including this amazing piece of work by our own Janet Beck, with a range of styles exhibited. The exhibition is on until the 29th May and is free.

You can find details about this and other events on our new events page. And if you want to keep your diary up to date on where we'll be serving tea and cakes this summer, take a look here or click the link at the top of the page or in the sidebar..

april flowers

2010-04-09T16:20:00.000+01:00

We are making the most of spring now it's finally arrived with a flower theme this month. Our evening meeting on Tuesday 20th April will be a lesson in making a small floral display, given by our very own Jo Cass. You'll need to bring a small jug, tea cup and saucer, tea pot for one or similar small container. If you have secateurs or strong scissors to bring along, that would help.

We'll also be joining in Cake Break for MS, so if you are a keen baker, please bring some flower themed cakes to sell... and some spare cash if you can to buy some cakes to take home. All proceeds will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Don't forget, this is our last meeting at Chisenhale Art Gallery - 7.30 for 8 start as usual. Tea and coffee will be available but feel free to bring a bottle if you wish.

We're continuing with a floral theme for our coffee morning on Friday 23rd at the Geffrye Museum, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 so that we have the opportunity to visit their special exhibition A Garden Within Doors, a look at they way plants and flowers have been used in homemaking. We'll also be able to take a look around their lovely herb garden which should be coming along very nicely by then.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

thank you very much!

2010-03-23T23:34:00.000Z

A big thank you to Pamela and the Royal Docks Community School for inviting us to make Morsbags with some of their special needs pupils over the last couple of weeks. It was an absolute pleasure for us and we were delighted with the lovely thank you cards you made for us. We hope the young people like their new bags and get lots of Easter eggs to put in them.

Thanks too to Darren for his talk on osteopathy last week. Now we all feel guilty about our high heels and are thinking about giving them up, abandoning breast stroke and taking up Pilates. We were so shaken up that we had to take consolation from the first class cakes at the Skylight Cafe on Friday morning - top marks for the caramel shortbread and the lovely atmosphere.

While we are on the subject of cakes, let's have a huge round of applause for EEWI member Christine for the cross stitch sampler she made for us. We'll be showing it off at our cake stalls throughout the spring and summer. We'll put up the dates here - don't miss us.

And finally, ta, tata and bon voyage to Nadine who has been looking after us at Chisenhale. We'll miss you and hope that they look after you in Berlin as well as you have looked after us.

Wild Food Cycle

2010-03-11T11:26:00.000Z

If you are interested in foraging, there is a wild food cycle on Saturday 13th March. Check out our events page for details.

women celebrate!

2010-03-08T15:23:00.000Z

Fab afternoon yesterday serving tea and cakes to the lovely women and girls at the Brady Centre as part of Tower hamlets International Women's Week celebrations. Such a friendly atmosphere and so uplifting to see the young women receiving awards for their art work.

Thanks to our loyal team of bakers and servers. And a special round of applause for Clare's husband for making the colourful (EEWI labelled!) perspex cake stands for us so quickly.

There are more women's events on during this week. Find out more on the Women in London website here.

stop press: coffee morning time

2010-03-07T14:56:00.000Z

Please note that the start time of the coffee morning on 19th March has come forward to 10.00am!

look after your spine

2010-02-26T22:25:00.000Z

Image courtesy of John McLean, Flickr Photostream

Make sure you are sitting comfortably at our next meeting on 16th March when Bow osteopath Darren Chandler. will talk to us about his work and tell us how to look after our backs. Meeting at Chisenhale Art Gallery , 7.30 for 8pm start - map here. Tea and coffee provided, but feel free to bring along a bottle if you wish and, of course, we are always happy to test your baking for you.

Our coffee morning will be on Friday 19th March at 10.30am 10.00am at the Skylight Cafe in Commercial Street (map here). The cafe is part of the education and training offered homelessness charity Crisis to help homeless people find work. If you haven't been there yet, you'll find friendly staff and good food at sensible prices. Nearest Tube station is Aldgate East.

Look forward to seeing you all then.

extra rations

2010-02-22T00:12:00.000Z

Niki sharing scones with mock cream

I don't know about everyone else, but I have just about recovered from our coffee morning visit to the Ministry of Food exhibition at the Imperial War Museum on Friday. It's a great exhibition, beautifully set out and curated, with lots of information, including films and artefacts, interspersed with art and posters. It was great to see everyone enjoying the exhibition and it was especially thrilling to see our pretty jams and pickles on display in the period kitchen.

Our visit ended with a very generous spread in the museum Kitchen Front Cafe, courtesy of the lovely people at the Imperial War Museum and the fabulous friendly Company of Cooks staff as a thank you for our participation in the project. We were totally spoilt with seven (!) different types of cake to test and ate the equivalent of about a week's rations in one sitting. After a wee bit of debate (!) we finally agreed on top scores for the ginger cake (wartime recipe), and almond slice, followed closely by the beetroot and cocoa cake and rock cakes. The chocolate syrup sponge, also made to a wartime recipe, was another high scorer . The jam tarts and scones with mock cream looked very pretty but were less popular with our expert tasters.

If you didn't manage to get along on Friday, you've got the rest of the year to visit. Don't miss the jam. Or the cakes.

the trouble with morsbags...

2010-02-20T23:31:00.000Z

...isn't the cutting or pressing or sewing or unpicking your mistakes or drinking too much tea or eating too many cakes. No. It's that there's so many lovely fabrics that it's going to be really, really hard to give them away.

Thanks to Niki for hosting our morsbag session this afternoon and to everybody who worked so hard making them. And to those who worked hard ooh-ing and ah-ing in the background too.

Look out for more morsbag making soon.

snippets

2010-02-18T14:04:00.000Z

The vile weather did not put a dampener on our Life Drawing workshop this week. It was wonderful to watch everyone's pieces come together as we followed in Matisses' footsteps creating collage pictures of our model. Thanks to Kate Hardy for running yet another great session and thanks also to Amanda for being our model. Kate's sessions are always very relaxed and she has a brilliant way of bringing people's creativity out even when they are convinced they don't have any.

We also managed to collect some newspapers, pens, blankets and towels for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust in Canning Town. They are always in desperate need for these things as they get through many more than they can afford to purchase. CHAT is an animal hospital, animal shelter and vet clinic offering low priced veterinary care to those who cannot afford vet's fees but who do not necessarily fit into the low income bracket served by other charities. They also have hundreds of cats, kittens, dogs and puppies that need a home.

EEWI will continue to collect these items so please do bring whatever you have to the next meeting. That also goes for your old bras which we have begun collecting again for the charity Knickers4Africa.

We recognise that you may feel a little daft with a bag full of old bras, old newspapers and old blankets but its all in a good cause!

a string of beads

2010-02-01T17:05:00.000Z

Lovely afternoon last Saturday serving cake, juice and tea to young pirates and their parents in the play event as part of the String of Beads project at the Arts Pavilion in Mile End Park. Fab ending to a great little exhibition bringing back play memories and making new ones for this generation.

Thanks for inviting us - we were delighted to be there!

come drawing

2010-01-25T15:47:00.000Z

We'll be welcoming Kate Hardy on 16th February for another life drawing class. Our last session with Kate was brilliant and we are looking forward to seeing her again to brush up our skills. We'll be meeting as usual at 7.30pm for a prompt 8pm start at Chisenhale Art Gallery. Free to members, £3 entry for non-members. Tea and coffee will be provided though you are welcome to bring a bottle or share your baking too if you wish. All materials will be provided on the night, so no need to bring your pencil sharpeners.

We hit the road for our 19th February coffee morning for an exclusive visit to the new Ministry of Food exhibition where we will see our jam and pickle among the exhibits! Please make your own way to the Imperial War Museum to arrive by 9.30am (map here). This should be a great exhibition - for a quick taste, visit the IWM's Ministry of Food blog.

Looking forward to seeing you.

pickled

2010-01-22T23:55:00.001Z

Yesterday we tackled pickles and chutneys, the final stage in our Ministry of Food project - pickled onions, pickled beetroot and red tomato chutney. There wasn't a dry eye in the house...

With five of us involved, there was a lot going on at once. Skinning tomatoes, chopping onions, boiling and slicing beetroot. I'd brined the raw onions a couple of days before, so they were washed to remove the salt. The vinegar was simmered with a mix of pickling spice and we were set. Onions and beetroot were packed separately into jars and covered with vinegar. Hey presto!

Making the chutney took a bit longer with the chopping of the onions, apples and tomatoes, then long simmering with sultanas, sugar and vinegar until it reached a nice jammy consistency. We soon learnt that it is not sensible to get too close to the vinegary fumes unless you are prepared to weep - the dreaded "chutney eye". ( I don't think the doyenne of the wartime kitchen, Marguerite Patten, mentioned this hazard in her book - maybe we just didn't read that bit!)

It really is most satisfying to see the fruits of your endeavours lined up neatly. Now it's just a question of waiting a few weeks until the goods are properly mature and ready to eat. Not that anyone at the Imperial War Museum will be eating it when the exhibition opens on the 12th February...

I'm getting used to the smell of vinegar permeating the house. As for us, it's not true that we were pickled. Just happy with our evening's work.

Da Doo Ron Ron

2010-01-20T20:16:00.000Z

Oh, Cynthia, we love you! Not only did you cycle to our meeting, you got us all singing and smiling like we were born to perform.

I don't think I've ever seen so many smiling faces and such exhilaration.

We were doing brilliantly... until we had a go at "Jerusalem". We might need just a bit more practice if we decide to try again.

Cynthia - there's no other. You are the leader of the pack. Come again!

fusion

2010-01-17T00:12:00.000Z

Great night at Giraffe in Spitalfields Market for our EEWI New Year meal. Looks like there was some serious thinking going on here. Another glass of wine perhaps? Or shall I have a pudding?

Many thanks to Niki for organising the event, to Jo for her nifty work with the bill and to everyone who joined in and made this so welcoming for everyone!

We should do this more often...

rhubarb, rhubarb... and carrots

2010-01-12T16:00:00.001Z

Lots more friendly womanly chat today as we set about making our second batch of jam for the Imperial War Museum. Today Rhubarb and Ginger Jam and Carrot Jam were on the menu, again two different approaches to preserving.

Carrot Jam

Annie set off chopping around two and a half pounds of carrots which we had to cook and puree. This turned out to be more time consuming than we thought. The peeling and chopping wasn't so bad, but the carrots - which required a small (unspecified) amount of water took ages to cook and then had to be mashed and sieved to a puree. This work just about produced the required pint of puree which, when mixed with a pound of sugar, lemon rind, and 2 and a half tablespoons of lemon juice, went into the jam pan.

With such a small amount, we kept a careful watch to make sure that it didn't burn. It was quite difficult to tell whether setting point was reached as it was not syruppy at all so we had to use some judgement about when it was jammy enough. We added some almonds and a tablespoon of brandy before bottling - the jam won't keep without the alcohol. Our reward was a lovely deep orange jam, with an apply taste, sharpened by the lemon rind.

Ingredients: 1 pint of carrot puree, 1 lb of sugar, 1 lemon, half and ounce of sweet almonds ( we used flaked), a tablepoon of brandy. Recipe from Bombers and Mash by Raynes Minns.

Rhubarb and Ginger

The rhubarb and ginger jam was a much more straightforward affair. Two pounds of chopped rhubarb were covered in the same amount of sugar and left to steep for an hour (should have been longer!).

While we waited we set to chopping and squeezing and grating the added ingredients.

We put the rhubarb and sugar mixture into the jam pan the added lemon juice and three well heaped tablespoons of chopped preserved ginger; heated this gently until the sugar dissolved; and then boiled briskly until setting point was reached. We used Annie's aged sugar thermometer and the cold plate test just to make sure we didn't overcook the jam this time. Result - another richly amber-coloured jam with a lovely sharp taste, warmed through with the ginger.

Ingredients: 2lb rhubarb, 2lb sugar, 2 tablespoon of lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of preserved ginger chopped. Recipe from Basic Basics, Jams, Preserves and Chutneys Handbook by Marguerite Patten.

Our display jams have been stored in original style kilner jars and out excess in more readily available plain jars with waxed inserts and cellophane lids. Annie showed us how to dampen the cellophane tops before putting them on the open jars to get a tight seal. Aha!

Next up - tomato chutney, pickled beetroot and pickled onions. There'll be tears before bedtime.

sticky fingers

2010-01-09T23:24:00.000Z

Our project to make jam for the Imperial War Museum started in earnest today with our first jam making session. Thanks, as ever, go to Sorella, for sharing her kitchen, shiny new jam pan and chocolate and beetroot cake - to keep us going, don't ya know?; and to WeeNa, Veronika and Elizabeth for mashing, stirring, chopping, measuring, pouring and observing the strictest standards of hygiene. An absence of blackberries put paid to our plans for blackberry and apple jam, so we opted for raspberry and the results were pretty good - rich, red ruby colour and firm set. And I can say with some confidence that the taste was good too because I had some on toast tea today. A reminder of summer on a wintry afternoon.

We also tried our hand(s) at some dried apricot jam. This was a little hit and miss - the recipe was quite different, with lots more liquid and some pre-boiling. The recipe was not quite as descriptive as we would have liked and we lost our nerve a bit which resulted in a wee bit of overboiling. Still, we came home with some sample pots and will let you have our verdict on the taste. I'll also include a post here on the books we have used and what we have learnt from the whole experience.

Our next jam making session is next Tuesday when we will be trying out two more wartime recipes - rhubarb and ginger, and carrot. Interesting, eh?

new year frolics and revels

2010-01-09T21:01:00.000Z

So you thought the festivities were over. Not so. This month is all frolics and revels. We'll be starting off with our New Year meal at Giraffe in Spitalfields on 15th January - please arrive by 7pm.

Our first meeting in 2010 is a singing workshop on Tuesday 19th January, 7.30 for 8 at our usual meeting place - Chisenhale Art Gallery. Cynthia Gerald, who leads local choir Soundz Universal, will be taking us through our paces. This is going to be an exhilarating evening whether you are a singer or not, so do come along. Free to members, £3 for guests. Feel free to bring something to keep your vocal chords lubricated if you wish!

Our coffee morning this month is a new venue for us - the Departure Arts Centre at 649 Commercial Road, E14 7LW. We'll be meeting at 11am (note - this is half an hour later than usual) on Friday 22nd January.

Those of you who have opted to see Legally Blond at the end of the month should be hearing from us shortly about ticket arrangements. (You lucky people - the reviews have been brilliant!)

Phew! Busy start to a bright New Year....come join us.

2009 review

2010-01-09T18:20:00.000Z

We were busy weren't we? Do let us have some feedback on what you enjoyed most.

PRESIDENT'S REVIEW

Dear All,

I didn’t seem to find enough time around the AGM to do a report of the year and felt that now would be good time for a reflection on the past twelve months of the EEWI. This will be the third term that I have been President of the EEWI after setting the branch up with Sorella Le Var in 2007 when we really had no idea what was going to happen and how the group was going to pan out. In 2009 the EEWI really began to grow and currently we have around 300 people on our mailing list , over 50 members and consistently have around 35 people at our evening meetings. At the most recent coffee morning we actually had over 20 people which is a triumph in itself.

Sorella and I decided some time ago that as well as evening meetings we needed to put on a coffee morning for those women who, for whatever reason, can’t or don’t want to go out in the evenings. After a very difficult start where we met at Chisenhale Art gallery and….. well, drank coffee, we realised we needed to venture out to the cafes of our local community. It turned out to be a wonderful idea taking us to a number of venues that we might not have visited before, some that we might not go to again and others that some of us have since been back to more than once. In 2009 we visited The Tower of London, Whitechapel Art Gallery , the Museum of Docklands , St Margaret’s House Gallery Café, La Bouche in Broadway Market, Hackney City Farm, the Museum of Childhood and the Geffrye Museum . I love the coffee mornings as its a really great way to meet each other in a more relaxed way than in the evenings and to meet new people who prefer the daytime events. The tough part of the coffee mornings of course is having to eat lots of cake and coming up with ideas for future coffee venues .

In the evenings this year we have been lucky enough to meet some amazing people and try out some really interesting skills. Since January we have done DIY with Home Jane, we’ve met Moira Cameron, the first female Beefeater at the Tower of London (who has since become a member of EEWI), we’ve tried life drawing with Kate Hardy, learnt about Homeopathy with Tracy Karkut-Law, discovered knitting with Prick Your Finger, made some Morsbags, met the charming Richard Reynolds and learnt about his Guerilla Gardening campaign, welcomed Neil Walker of the London Organisational Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympics Games (LOCOG), knitted Christmas decorations, made chocolate Florentines, created origami boxes and taken part in some Christmas flower arranging. On top of this at our resolutions meeting in May we voted to take on a campaign to save honey bees and pollenators and have incorporated bees into our AGM in November where some of you took the opportunity to showcase how very talented you all are in the arts and crafts world – baking, sewing, poetry, art, knitting and more, all on a bee theme. We’ve had quizzes and raffles, jewellery stalls and a number of charity speakers.

Its been a packed year in terms of our evening meetings but it doesn’t stop there. We have run really successful tea and cake stalls at Paradise Gardens , the St Barnabas Community Fete, Sportsjam, Friend’s of Mile End Park ’s Park Life, the Mayor’s story of London festival at Three Mills as well as supporting smaller events by donating our refreshment equipment or baking. We’ve performed in a dance festival, marched to stop violence against women, taken part in Earth Hour, walked for charity, been to see Calendar Girls and Hairspray in the West End and represented Essex Federation at the Annual General Meeting of the National Federation of Women’s Institute at the Royal Albert Hall.

Through the group’s commitment and generosity we have raised money, awareness and support for a number of charities, not least the U-Turn Women’s Centre, a charity very close to my heart. The idea that a group of local women support a charity run by women to support women in crisis seems to make perfect sense to me and I hope we are able to continue our support in the coming years especially the Christmas present project which once again in 2009 was overwhelmingly supported meaning that Rio was able to take a huge bag of presents back to the women’s centre for their Christmas party.

There is so much more, some that I have forgotten but far too much to include here. We have been extremely busy and have had brushes with TV and radio as well as being invited to take part in all sorts of projects, but for me personally the best part of being involved in the EEWI is that I have met so many wonderful, interesting and inspirational women. I’ve heard some amazing life stories, seen friendships form and, I hope, made some new friends myself. I have seen the EEWI as a real support for some and know that it has made an impact on the local community. I could not feel more proud to be involved in this group and am extremely excited about 2010. This will be my last term as President and I am looking forward to the next twelve months and to supporting the next person in any way I can.

Thanks to everyone who has been involved in the last twelve months, especially the committee who I consider to be some of my dearest friends, but also to all of those people who joined, came along, tried something new, baked, enjoyed themselves, helped out, or in fact did anything at all because all of you are what makes the group what it is.

Here’s to 2010

Niki Stevens, President EEWI

jamming!

2009-12-18T23:37:00.000Z

The snow held off and it was a lovely crisp morning for coffee at the Geffrye Museum, one of the best cafes we've visited this year - views over the pretty herb garden, helpful staff and excellent cakes made on site, and of course the cosy Christmassy settings of the Geffrye's period interiors. (If you visit yourself, we recommend the carrot cake, which scored a unanimous nine out of ten and the mince pies nine and a half, pushing the Geffrye's average cake score up to 8.4.)

It wasn't all hard work. We also heard about the forthcoming Imperial War Museum "Ministry of Food" exhibition from our guests. This is a new exhibition, opening on 12th February, that will tell the story of how the British public adapted to food shortages during the Second World War, learning how to be both frugal and inventive on the Kitchen Front.

We are delighted that the IWM has asked us to make jam and preserves for display and we'll be documenting the process as part of our contribution to the exhibition. This is an exciting project for us to be involved in and we are very much looking forward to it. We've given some thought to what we'll make and we'll be setting a date for making jam in January. Several of you have already said you want to be involved and shared your recipes and books.

We'll be visiting the exhibition when it opens to take a look at the "Ministry of Food" - and our preserves on display. A little something to keep us busy in the New Year.