This is an edited version of our members’ monthly newsletter – to become a member get in touch via our contact form
Hi Everyone
Following a very well attended AGM, a big thank you to the members of Battersea WI from Sue L, and Sue M, for electing us to be the new joint WI Presidents; a tremendous honour and a modern approach to leadership! We have big shoes to fill and are very grateful to the previous committee Jane, Alison, Nadine and Jo, for making Battersea WI the success it is today. Please bear with your new Committee during this handover period while we get our heads around our new roles and responsibilities.
We have decided that where possible doing things in pairs or having shared responsibilities allows us to have a flexible approach to managing the leadership and administrative tasks of the WI. We are delighted to let you know that Derinda has agreed to take on the role of Treasurer supported by Ursula, who has kindly agreed to join the Committee. We are still looking for volunteers to take on the role of Secretary as Bernadette T has stepped down from the Committee. Jackie will be organising our monthly meetings at the church hall and will liaise with our volunteer ‘set-up’ group to ensure everything runs smoothly. The content and design of our monthly meetings will be lead by Sue L, and Amanda will be leading a new Outings group. More information in our ‘Your BWI Groups’ below. Please send in your suggestions for content and outings. At the moment we don’t have a lead for our Instagram account – Elaine is caretaking it for now, so do get in touch if you are interested in taking over responsibility.
We are very lucky to have a broad range of special interest groups. Our thanks go to all the group leaders who make such a difference to our members allowing people to follow their passions, develop new interests and learn new skills.
Our intention is to develop Battersea WI in the spirit of the original WI founders: that is, to connect, support and empower women, making our WI a trusted and inclusive place for women to meet; a place to share experiences, learn from one another, make new friends and make a difference in the Battersea community. We welcome ideas and opinions about how we can develop Battersea WI; for example, we could be a more diverse community, covering a broader age range and different cultural groups. If anybody has any ideas about how we might attract new members please let us know. Next month will be our 8th birthday. More about that in the January newsletter.
On the subject of birthdays, you will recall that as part of our celebrations of 110 years of the WI, Jane obtained £300 funding from the Council’s Climate Action Microgrant scheme to buy trees and shrubs to plant on Clapham Common. Our tree, a Hawthorn, has arrived and is ready for planting, so we’ll be joining forces with the Friends of Clapham Common to plant it (at What 3 words location: name.enable.tunnel.)
We really look forward to seeing you all at our Christmas gathering on the 16th December. We will be providing drinks ‘on the house’ and would like you to bring along food to share. If you have festive donations for the raffle and any decorations for the hall, please bring those before the day if possible. Keep an eye out for the invite arriving in your inbox in the next couple of days.
Sue L and Sue M
Joint Presidents, Battersea WI
presidentbattersea@surreyfedwi.org.uk
Contents
- Your BWI Group updates
- Forthcoming speakers and events
- Offshoots – activities inspired by WI Groups and Campaigns
- Surrey Federation news and information
- NFWI news and information from HQ
Your BWI Groups
Keep up with the latest date BWI news via our Instagram feed.
Book Groups – what we’ve been reading
Battersea Bookends update by Danielle
Last month we read Julia by Sandra Newman, which is a retelling of the story of the female (girlfriend) character from 1984. Some of us couldn’t finish it; more than 70 years after Orwell’s original tale authors can be more graphic in their descriptions and the bleakness of women’s roles under The Party was very desolate. The challenge of using another author’s ideas and vocabulary and intertwining your own creation with such a well-known work was intriguing and challenging. However, the book did not really come alive until Newman left behind Orwell’s narrative. Unexpectedly, the story finished on a point of hope with Julia managing to see a way forward with her new family, manipulating her way through the new hierarchy as she had always done but this time with an understanding of her own motives and the nature of the new order. I can’t say we enjoyed the book, but by the end it was engrossing and provoked much discussion.
Boozy Books update by Amanda
The Life Impossible turned out to be a fantasy tale, hence “marmite” for Boozy Books. At times the book is weird and bizarre. We did agree that the book served the reminder that it’s never too late – you can heal, forgive yourself and embrace joy again after bereavement. The audio book, read by Joanna Lumley, provided a more enriching experience and we would recommend this route over reading, particularly if you are not keen on fantasy. Our criticism of the book was that there were too many themes running through the book – bereavement, rediscovery, afterlife, environmental concerns over development and corruption.
Chapter One Reading Group update by Jane H
In November we read Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi. This is a novel about murder mystery stories and the idea that these stories must always follow a set of defined rules. Within a modern narrative sit a series of short stories which both illustrate the rules and progress an overarching plot line. The short stories have a traditional Agatha Christie style to them but also include some macabre and shocking elements. Some of the group did not enjoy this approach and gave up on the book fairly early. This book was not a hit with everyone but some found its complex and twisty style intriguing and absorbing.
Coffee Morning – update by Clare GH
We had a good turnout for our coffee mornings in November.
Craft Group – update by Elaine
Battersea WI is now officially a member of the Tooting Work and Play Scrapstore. It’s a fantastic treasure trove, presenting waste and surplus goods as arts and crafts materials to inspire creativity. From paper and paint to textiles and trimmings, stocks vary each week with donations from eco-friendly and many big brand companies. They’ve been around almost 40 years promoting the green agenda and sustainability – that’s music to our ears (esp to our Climate Ambassador – Ed!)
Cribbage ♣️♦️♥️ ♠️ update by Derinda
Six of us met in November so three games of cribbage were played simultaneously and everyone enjoyed themselves. A cuppa with biscuit and chat added to the occasion and we plan to continue meeting in the afternoon on first Tuesday of the month. If you’ve never played, this article from the Guardian explains the rules…as our group becomes more expert, we may introduce the ‘muggins’ rule to spice things up!
Film Club review by Julie
Five of us went to see this month’s film The Choral, scripted by Alan Bennett and starring Ralph Fiennes who plays Dr Guthrie, hired to put together a choir and a performance in 1916 – a time when many men in the village are dead, missing or waiting to be called up to fight. Despite nice costumes, beautiful settings and an impressive cast including Roger Allam, Robert Emms, Alan Armstrong and Mark Addy we all thought it was somehow a little lacking. A gentle, pleasant enough film and no one hated it but none of us will be telling anyone that ‘they must see it’.
Foodies – update by Amanda
In November, Foodies devoured fishy bites. Julie’s salmon squares were divine and complimented Liz’s prawn balls and Vivien’s tuna and bean salad. We all dug into a large pile of prawns and topped off our plates with a Greek salad and hot sliced potatoes. Caro treated us to a French apple tart.
Recipe of the month is Bite Sized Salmon Tikka
Knitting & Crochet update by Joan
This was our last meeting of the year so we celebrated with bubbles and nibbles in front of a cosy Youtube fire. And we did a bit of knitting too! Merry Christmas!
****New Group***
Outings Group by Amanda
Outings Group will launch In January to provide you with a monthly outing. The programme will be varied, with changing days of the week, some activities will be daytime (D) and others, evening (E). There will be a cost so please study the programme and pick those that appeal to you and maybe save up for a few treats throughout the year for the more expensive ones. Many tickets have to be bought a long time in advance and these we will operate in a similar manner to film group, with you going online and booking your own ticket knowing where/when some BWI members are going to be!
(Detailed information about day/date/time/place is available in the full version of our newsletter, for WI members only. To join BWI get in touch via our contact form)
Walking Group – update by Clare G
Eight of us together with Tiger turned out on the first Friday morning of the month to walk around Roehampton, inspired by a new booklet of local trails. We set off from Barnes station and clocked up four miles in total; even though it drizzled on and off we enjoyed visiting the University campus (featuring several fine Georgian villas and gardens, as well as an award-winning new library), the celebrated Modernist Alton Estate and the original village of Roehampton before heading across Putney Heath to find a well-earned coffee at The Telegraph , a cosy and welcoming pub on the site of a 1796 telegraph station.
Five of us plus Tiger and Skye also fitted in an extra day out in the middle of the month, an eight mile circular walk in the Surrey Hills from Witley station. This was originally planned for October, but had to be postponed thanks to Storm Benjamin. Luckily this time the sun shone and there was plenty of autumn colour around us still as we walked through beautiful woodland, took in views across to the South Downs and visited a couple of churches too. It was also mild enough for us to be able to enjoy a coffee break on a village green and a churchyard lunchtime picnic. Many thanks to Rachel for planning and leading this one for us.
Forthcoming speakers and events
December 16th – Christmas Party
Bring and share seasonal food.
2026
Speakers and events for 2026 tbc. Send your suggestions for future speakers and/or activities to Sue L.
Offshoots – a round up of members’ activities inspired by the WI
Climate Ambassador’s update by Elaine
A couple of weeks ago, the Natural History Museum hosted Voices for Change: a night of Climate Action. It was a real treat to be in the Museum after hours – as one of the staff said, ‘you can actually see the floor’ as it’s usually mobbed with school parties and tourist groups during the day. The museum has moved on considerably from a dull collection of ratty taxidermy to become a vibrant learning environment (although stuffed animals are still available.) As well as the opportunity to meet organisations tackling climate change at a local level, it also provided an opportunity to visit the new permanent gallery, Fixing Our Broken Planet which opened in April this year. The gallery covers every aspect of modern life, from mining precious metals for tech to the global impact of farming. There are some eye popping statistics – I’ve included a photo of the board outlining the impact on health. It also addresses Climate Anxiety with a great toolkit of practical suggestions on their website, many of which we are already actively engaged in locally such as Battersea Beach Clean (which runs even in the winter months), Citizen Science projects or volunteering as a Tree warden in Wandsworth . Being involved at a local level is empowering, sociable and educational way to take action and connect with nature.
For more information about the WI’s Climate Ambassador Scheme click here
Battersea Beach Clean 7th Nov by Rachel
Jennie, Jenny S and I took part in the regular Battersea foreshore clean by St Mary’s Church with about 12 other volunteers. To take part you can sign up here.
 |  |
SFWI Glass Fusing Workshop with Surrey Fed 27th Nov by Ursula
I was interested in making something simple in glass and this was suitable for all levels including novices like me. A local glass artist led the workshop and talked us through the tools and materials (including sticking plasters, glass is sharp!) There were around 35 of us, and we were each given two flat pieces of glass which will be moulded on firing into a tealight and a wave stand. The coloured glass came in all sorts of colours and sizes which we assembled like a mosaic, placing on our glass bases in whatever design we chose. I wished I had spent more time planning my design in advance! Like ceramics, some of the glass in the red/yellow spectrum will change colour in the kiln. At the end the pieces were carefully taken away to be fired and will be ready for collection in a week or so. We had to concentrate quite hard and not sneeze or the glass would have gone everywhere! There was time to chat before and after and I met some interesting – and talented – women from local WIs. We were given a warm welcome by SFWI and kept supplied with coffee and biscuits by SFWI co-chair Jill Mulryan and her team.
Glass Door Homeless Charity by Carole A
On Tuesday evenings I volunteer at St Peters Church Battersea for Glass Door, a homeless charity. From the beginning of November to early April, Guests are hosted at one of seven rotating churches/community halls in Wandsworth. Around 35 to 40 Guests are welcomed from 7pm with a hot drink and some light snacks. At 8pm a hot three course meal is provided and served by the volunteers. Foam beds and sleeping bags are provided so Guests can bed down in the venue for the night, then in the morning breakfast is provided, served by Glass Door. Guests go off knowing they will have another venue to go to at the end of the day. They can also register with a case worker from the Charity who will assist them getting them into stable housing.If you feel you would like to volunteer in the kitchens (prep, cooking, serving), you can either apply online via the official site or get in touch by phone/email: 020 7351 4948 (Volunteer Team)/Email: info@glassdoor.org.uk. Mention Kitchen Volunteer and the dates you’re free (e.g., Mon‑Fri, 5‑9 pm). Most places run a brief health and safety/food hygiene basics induction. If you have a Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2) or Allergy Training, flag it – it speeds things up.
St Mary’s Church Carol Service – invitation to support KLS Christmas Carol Concert, Tuesday 9th December, 7pm David Britten from St Mary’s Church contacted us to ask if any members could join them once again at St Mary’s Church for their Christmas Carol Concert in aid of Katherine Low Settlement (KLS.): Last year, the wonderful support of the WI team — especially with serving the mulled wine and mince pies — helped make the evening a great and contributed to raising over £10,000 for KLS’s vital community work. They’d be delighted if the WI could kindly help again this year with refreshments after the concert. It’s always such a warm and festive way to round off the evening, and BWI’s presence really adds to the community spirit of the event.If anyone is able to help out this year, please contact David by clicking here to send an email.
| If you have anything for inclusion in our next newsletter, please email Elaine with your text and photos. Articles and photos may also be included on our website and our IG feed. |
Surrey Federation
Battersea WI is a member of the Surrey Federation of WIs. Federation Advisers SFWI is currently looking to expand the number of Advisers. Advisers oversee meetings like AGMs to ensure everything goes to procedure. If you are interested, find out more hereThe Edenbridge & Oxted Show Committee Annual Fundraising Quiz, Friday, 20thMarch 2026 at Bletchingley Village Hall, RH1 4PA – doors open 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm start. Monies raised will go towards the cost of the SFWI Marquee at the Edenbrige & Oxted Show 2026. The cost is £22 a head, which includes a delicious supper with tea and coffee being served. PLEASE NOTE that you can bring nibbles and drinks (including alcohol). Please bring your own glasses. You can apply for a table of up to 6 players in the first instance. This is to enable as many WIs as possible to have the opportunity to participate as there is a maximum of 90 places. Places will be allocated once payment has been received. You can download an application form here and return by post or email.
The Edenbridge & Oxted Show takes place Bank Holiday weekend 30th/31st August 2026. Competition Schedules will be available in Spring 2026.
Surrey Fed’s send out a monthly newsletter to all members. You should be receiving the newsletter by email to your inbox, so if you’ve not received it, check your junk folders. Newsletters are packed with information including upcoming events and workshops, from literary lunches with authors to group visits to the theatre to baking and craft classes. Don’t forget the random member bursary – each month someone will be selected to attend the workshop/event/course of their choice! To book, visit their events page and if you do go, send a review for the newsletter – it might inspire others to go along too.
NFWI – news from HQ
| The WI campaigns on a huge range of issues – from promoting women’s rights and fostering health awareness to encouraging sustainable development and building a fairer society. For more information about Campaigns please visit the My WI section of the NFWI website |
This month focus remains on the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December) to unite, take action, and raise our voices for a future free from violence against women and girls. NFWI is inviting every member to take part in bold, compassionate, and creative action As a proud, regular supporter of Refuge, Battersea WI is already taking action to support women in our local community.
The December edition of WI Life includes their 2026 events calendar as well as information about the transformation of the Learning Hub to new improved software called Via. Other changes next year will be to WI Life itself, which will go from monthly to quarterly to improve article and advertising content. WI membership includes full access to the WI Learning Hub. We’d love to hear your recommendations for courses and whether you’ve watched any of the online talks. You can sign up for the newsletter for weekly updates about what’s on.
This is an edited version of our members’ monthly newsletter – to become a member get in touch via our contact form