This is an edited version of our monthly newsletter. The full version, including meet up dates, is available to members only. To find out how to become a member, drop us a line via our contact page.
Hello everyone
A warm welcome to the September Newsletter and a particularly special welcome to our newest members. We hope you will enjoy your membership of BWI and the wealth of opportunities that it has to offer. We still have space for new members so if you are reading the web version of our newsletter, do come along to a meeting (dates below) to find out more.
As many of you will know, our usual venue, the church hall at St Vincent de Paul in Altenburg Gardens is being refurbished during September and October. Our new venue for 2 months is Studio 1 at Battersea Arts Centre. The doors will open at 7pm and the room will already have been arranged when we arrive so no need to put up those trestle tables. The volunteers get 2 months respite!
Even though we didn’t have our usual monthly meeting in August there was plenty of BWI activity, not least thanks to Elaine, Vivien and Ursula who have put BWI ahead of the pack for the Edenbridge and Oxted show. As I write this, the results are not yet in, but I am keeping my fingers crossed for many accolades for the art work and baking!
For our first post summer meeting, we’re looking forward to hearing about the incredible and inspiring story of Elzbieta Zawacka, the World War two female resistance fighter known as Agent Zo from author and speaker, Clare Mulley.
We are coming up to the AGM in November. Technically everyone on the Committee has to stand down as the committee appointments are for a year. Sue M, Derinda and Ursula are standing down and are not seeking re-election. If any member is interested in putting their names forward for any of the committee positions please do speak to the current committee at the next two meetings.
And finally…don’t forget to check Offshoots for local information about what’s on in Battersea, as well as the SurreyFed and NFWI sections to keep up with Federation news.
See you in September at Battersea Arts Centre!
Sue L and Sue M
Joint Presidents, Battersea WI
presidentbattersea@surreyfedwi.org.uk
Contents:
- Forthcoming speakers, events and meetings
- Your BWI Groups – activities and updates
- Offshoots – local news and events
- Surrey Federation news and information
- NFWI news from HQ and information
- Committee Contact Details
Battersea WI monthly meetings: dates, speakers and activities 2026/7
(Running order subject to change according to availability of speakers.)
- 15th September – History Talk on Agent Zo, with Clare Mulley (BAC Studio 1)
- 20th October – Kirtles, Corsets and Curtains with Sarah Slater, Hampton Court Tour Guide (BAC Studio 1)
- 17th November – AGM (St V de P Church Hall)
- 15th December – Christmas Party (St V de P Church Hall)
- 2027 – (date tbc) breast health and bra fitting session by Amelie’s Follies in Webbs Road.
Your BWI Groups – activities and updates
Book Groups – what we’ve been reading
Battersea Bookends update by Sally
In July we read The Overstory by Richard Powers. This interweaves the lives of different people, all connected by trees. It looks at our relationship with nature, environmental activism, and the often overlooked intelligence and resilience of the natural world.
This was a book we all wanted to like and a few of us did, but for various reasons the majority found it hard to engage with and not everyone finished it.
Boozy Books update by Amanda
Secret Service by Tom Bradby addresses the question: What if your next national leader was a Russian spy? The book opens in Istanbul, where Kate and her team of MI6 operatives are ready to bug a Russian oligarch’s yacht. Kate has inside intelligence that a big meeting is slated to take place on the yacht, and sure enough, the heads of Russia’s secret services show up for sit down with the oligarch. The meeting yields a bombshell: the British prime minister is going to step down in a few days and one of the leading candidates to replace him is a secret Russian asset. And even worse, there’s a Russian mole at the heart of the British government who’s helping move the plot along. Kate gets saddled with too many domestic concerns and doesn’t seem to get enough time tracking down traitors and spies. This is a fast moving book, generally liked by the group, and prompted many of us to watch the TV series and even read the next in the series.
Chapter One Reading Group update by Jane
Chapter One took a break in August as most people were away on holiday.
Coffee Morning – update by Clare GH
We had a quiet though enjoyable coffee with at the beginning of August where we chatted about members clubs in London that our parents used to stay in.
Craft Group – update by Elaine
Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Show
We submitted a whopping 18 entries, beating previous years by a considerable margin!
Submissions included 3 works of art, 7 photos, 3 bottles of liqueur, 1 sewing project, 1 ‘I made it’ project, 1 chutney and 2 cakes. There will be a full write up in next month’s newsletter.
Textiles in the Park – Exhibition 5-27th September
Craft group is planning another visit to Morden Hall in September to visit this exhibition. Details in Group meet ups.
Cribbage ♣️♦️♥️ ♠️ update by Derinda
Only two of us met to play cribbage in August so it was a quiet affair but we had fun and played two games. We are taking an early autumn break so won’t meet in September but will be back, hopefully in full force, to play again at Battersea Arts Centre Scratch Bar. As always, new joiners are welcome. Let me know if you’d like to come along. 😊
Film Club update by Julie
As our usual date falls on the Bank Holiday there will be two outings in September – so you can look forward to two reviews in the next newsletter!
Foodies – update by Amanda
We were delighted with our dining experience at Minnow on The Pavement and thoroughly recommend this little restaurant. Fabulous offers for early dinners (three courses for £29) and we took advantage of happy hour for cocktails and wine. We all chose the king prawns to start followed by pan fried cod with prosciutto and pea puree or chicken schnitzel. Plus, we indulged in the desserts!
Green Living, Sustainability and Foraging – update by Elaine
This month’s green living tip – this month is Sustainable September, don’t forget to look out for events happening near you! Some Borough wide events are already listed. Please keep your suggestions coming in.
Visit to South London Botanical Institute Founded 1910, based in Tulse Hill, a five-minute walk from the railway station. See Group meet ups page for sign up and further info.
Climate Ambassador update
At our quarterly Zoom meeting, the group reviewed ongoing sustainability initiatives, planned a monthly challenge calendar through February (see below), and discussed recycling, fire safety, and local green activities.
Monthly challenges themes (SFWI):
- September: “Sustainable Swap September” (swap kitchen roll for rags, tissues for hankies, refillable containers)
- October: Bra collection (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) (BWI has already had one)
- November: “Considered/Climate Christmas” – ethical gifting, Buy Nothing Project, homemade gifts
- December: “Delicious December” – use cupboard staples, reduce food waste
- January: “New to You” – clothes/gift swap, charity shop challenge
- February: “Show the Love” – aligned with National WI campaign
For more information about the WI’s Climate Ambassador Scheme click here
Knitting, Crochet & Sewing update by Joan
We’ve been on our summer break, and our next meeting will be in September. Meanwhile, we’re having an outing to visit The Longest Yarn which is on tour and will be at the Royal Hospital Chelsea from November. See the Group Meet-ups page for links to tickets and let me know if you’d like to join us.
Outings Group update by Amanda
Portsmouth
Being summer, Battersea WI ventured to the seaside or really portside with a trip to Gunwharf Quays at Portsmouth. We packed in a coffee stop and a bit of outlet shopping before lunch. We enjoyed watching a seagull sampling a cocktail and chips whilst we guarded our coffee cups. Lunch was excellent at Brasserie Blanc and it even rained whilst we were inside enjoying the food and chat. Then we split – some to meet up with friends, some to visit the Mary Rose and the rest of us took a boat trip around the harbour (with commentary) to inspect the Navy’s fleet. To see what’s coming up or to be added to the group, see the September Group Meet up dates section.
Simply Sketching update by Vivien
The Simply Sketching group turned up to enjoy a very companionable afternoon together, with some of us taking the opportunity to work on our drawing entries for the WI stand at The Edenbridge & Oxted Agricultural Fair.
Initially our group sketched to a particular theme or still life – now we seem to be evolving into a group who are happy to draw simply for pleasure, whatever the subject! I’m sure themes and suggestions will make a reappearance as autumn approaches, and the world around us shifts into the golden colours of the next season – we might even dabble with a little ink or watercolour!
Swimming Group update by Sue M
We took a summer break. Our next swim is at Kenwood Pond.
Walking Group update by Clare
Wandle Trail Eight of us and Tiger met up at Clapham Junction for our monthly Friday morning walk in August, catching the train down to Carshalton and following the Wandle Trail downstream from Carshalton Ponds as far as Morden Hall Park. On a warm sunny morning this was a green, pretty, shady walk through a string of parks, nature reserves and community gardens: wildlife encountered along the way included a moorhen family, a very bold young robin, and some Beautiful Demoiselles (a most appropriately named species of damselfly, with dark wings and an electric-blue body). While our route was quiet and empty, Morden Hall Park at the end was full of summer-holiday visitors, so not everybody persevered to the front of the queue at the café for coffees and ice-creams!
Extra Walk: Ashtead Common Friday 21 August was pleasantly cooler, and this time five of us plus Tiger and Sally’s dog guest Bobbie turned out for an extra walk. For this one we headed out into Surrey to visit Ashtead Common, just half an hour’s journey from Clapham Junction and situated right beside Ashtead station. It is we all agreed well worth visiting: a beautiful, very peaceful wooded National Nature Reserve which is full of ancient pollarded oaks and belongs to the Corporation of London. Halfway round we detoured across a couple of fields to enjoy coffee and pastries at The Barn, a pop-up farm café with a lovely view across to the Common. Back on that we walked uphill through more fine trees and then downhill along a grassy ride towards the station. On the way we passed a picturesque and almost ridiculously chilled group of Belted Galloway bullocks. All kitted out with solar-powered no-fence collars, these were being used to help preserve some of the Common’s habitats through conservation grazing.
Offshoots
a round up of members’ activities inspired by the WI and events of local interest
Shillington Park Festival 5th September
LITTLE VILLAGE ONE OFF VOLUNTEERING DAYS
Little Village HQ is looking for people to come forward to help out on their one-off volunteering sessions – a brilliant way to get involved and see the impact of your support in just a few hours. Whether you come solo, with friends, or as a small team, you’ll help sort, pack, and prepare clothes, toys, and equipment for families who need them.
If you want to help but can’t commit weekly or have CSR/employee volunteer days to use… welcome! And if you are busy all day and are looking for a volunteering opportunity to unwind in the evening or weekend, we have that too!
For dates and further information visit the volunteering page on their website
SENSE & SENSIBILITY AT ARCHES LANE THEATRE 15-27th SEPT
In this brand-new adaptation, five actors bring Austen’s comedy of manners to life with energy, imagination and a palpable sense of fun. Come as you are, or dress in your best Regency finery and join us at Barton Park for tea, dancing and romance aplenty!
It runs from 15-27 September, 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm and a Sunday show at 5pm. Tickets are £20-30, with previews (10 – 11 September) at £15.
Tickets and details can be found here According to the website press release, Arches Lane Theatre will close at the end of September as BPS has terminated their lease. See website for details.
Surrey Federation of WIs
Battersea WI is a member of the Surrey Federation of WIs.
SFWI’s monthly newsletter is emailed to all members and is packed with information about everything from events to workshops. You can also access it via their website.
National Federation of WIs
Did you know the WI has its own shop?
You can further support them by signing up to Easyfundraising and nominating them as your chosen charity.
The WI Shop sells everything from diaries, to socks to wool.
For more information and news from the NFWI, visit the National Federation website
Thank you for reading! This is an edited version of our monthly newsletter. The full version, including meet up dates, is available to members only. To find out how to become a member, drop us a line via our contact page.