Hello!
I hope this finds you well after a blazing hot latter half of June! It was another busy month, with the Remaykit fashion show on the 15th (review in Offshoots section) as well as various lovely walks, group meet ups and a Cyanotypes craft session. At our monthly meeting, the talk on Mudlarking was very well attended, and the opportunity to handle some of the relics Jason brought to the meeting was brilliant. In addition, we raised over £132 for our charity of the month, Carney’s Community, supporting young people locally who face adverse circumstances.
Looking ahead to our annual Summer Outing to Folkestone on 19th August. If you don’t already know the town, Folkestone is on the English Channel in Kent. There is plenty to do, from scenic walks along the cliffs, a funicular railway, to shops, cafes and foodie venues in the Creative Quarter. The beaches offer stunning views of the English Channel. Folkestone has a long military and naval history and is one of the towns making up the Cinque Ports confederation. It has a vibrant arts scene with small galleries and studios. This year is the Folkestone Triennial – the theme is ‘How Lies the Land.’ if you’ve not yet signed up, there’s still plenty of time. You can either email Alison or sign up at our July meeting. We also welcome suggestions from anyone who knows the town well.
Surrey Federation WI has interesting events and workshops coming up, including a literary lunch with an author, glass fusing and bread making. More info in our Surrey Federation section. If you do attend any workshops, please let us know as it’s always interesting to hear what you’ve been up to and if there are any workshops you’d recommend.
The NFWI Resolution Bystanders Can Be Lifesavers was (unsurprisingly) passed at June’s AGM. If you attended the AGM, it would be great to have an article for our next newsletter. NFWI is also getting behind the Climate Coalition’s Mass Lobby on 9th July. More information about that can be found in our NFWI section below. There are also opportunities to become a Climate Ambassador. Closer to home on the climate front, for the third year running, Wandsworth Council has been awarded an A rating for its Climate Action Plan, great news!
Around this time of year a lot of you will be going off on summer travels, so we looking forward to hearing about our members adventures – maybe send a virtual postcard for us to include in the next newsletter?
If you are reading this as a non Member interested in joining Battersea WI, please do not hesitate to get in touch and find out more about us.
I look forward to seeing you all very soon
Jane, President Battersea WI
E: presidentbattersea@surreyfedwi.org.uk
In your July 2025 Newsletter:
- Your BWI Groups – what we’ve been up to
- Coming up: forthcoming speakers for 2025
- Offshoots – activities inspired by BWI groups
- Surrey Federation
- NFWI news and information
Your BWI Groups
Battersea Bookends update by Danielle
We thoroughly enjoyed reading Orbital by Samantha Harvey, although some of us enjoyed it without necessarily liking it. The descriptions of the earth viewed from the international space station are a love story to the beauty of the earth. Whilst nothing “happens”, we learn of love and loss and the drive the astronauts have, all bound together by the 16 times the space station witnesses the earth in daylight and blackness, in their 24 hour day.
Boozy Books update by Amanda
Precipice by Robert Harris is based on historical fact, the romantic relationship between British Prime Minister H.H. Asquith and Venetia Stanley. Boozy Books enjoyed reading this novel and recommend it as a good story and for a history refresh. The pair became involved with one another in 1914, when Asquith was 62 and Stanley was 26. Asquith was twenty years into his second marriage at the time and had ten children. 1914 was not a good year for a British PM to be distracted by anything, much less an all-consuming obsession with a much younger woman. He spends cabinet meetings dashing off love notes to Venetia and paying scant attention to the political discussions with dire consequences to the outcome of WW1 battles. The Asquith-Stanley letters didn’t come to light until after Venetia Stanley’s death in 1948. Those that had read Harris’ other works such as Act of Oblivion or An Officer and A Spy felt the novel lacked excitement in comparison. The real-life story ended with more of a whimper than a bang, and so, alas, did Precipice. We felt the novel still seems incredibly relevant. We voiced comparisons to modern day politicians such as Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky. Even the multiple daily letters exchanged between Asquith and Venetia seemed like precursors of today’s messaging scandals such as between cabinet ministers during COVID.
Chapter One Reading Group update by Jane H
In June we read Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig. This book got a slightly bemused reception. It’s intentions seemed to be mixed: there was a constant stream of broad comedy incidents and as you might expect from Sandi Toksvig there were lots of jokes and witty comment, a touching evocation of finding one’s community and (logical rather than biological) family together with a range of issues, especially those facing LGBTQ+ people, illustrated by quite traumatic events. To some extent it felt like a tonal mishmash which could have been handled better. Overall this is a rather lightweight novel but most of us enjoyed reading it. As ever, we had a great, albeit rather short, discussion.
Craft Group update by Jane C
The sun came out for our ‘sun printing’ or cyanotype workshop. A chance for the craft group to work together to learn a new craft or for those with more experience share new techniques. Cyanotype is one of oldest photographic process. It gives delightful images of Prussian blue and white. Images are made by blocking light from a surface covered in emulsion , flowers, leaves, stencils give beautiful patterns. It is an easy process but the more you try, the more there is to learn, and the more variation you can introduce. We all had fun experimenting with paper, silk, linen and cotton. There is an introduction to cyanotype on Kew’s website.
Film review by Derinda
Our June outing was to Clapham Picturehouse to see The Ballad of Wallis Island. It was a late showing at 8.30 pm and the evening was warm so we started with cold drinks and a chinwag outdoors and then, thankfully, found the cinema nicely air conditioned. The film was written by Tim Key and Tom Basden who play the main characters – Charles Heath and Herb McGwyer respectively – joined by Carey Mulligan playing Nell Mortimer, who in the past sang with and was romantically attached to Herb. Charles, an eccentric (and very amusing) individual living in seclusion on Wallis Island and long a super fan of the McGwyer Mortimer folk duo, has contrived to reunite the singing partners for a one-off private performance. This presents its challenges….there’ll be no spoilers here so you can go and enjoy the film. All eight of us gave it the thumbs up having enjoyed the beautiful and atmospheric island setting off the coast of Wales and the well delivered humour and character portrayals.
Foodies – update by Amanda
In June we ate out at Buona Sera on Northcote Road; an Italian restaurant with a strong local heritage having been there for thirty years. We indulged in delicious food starting with sharing platters, nearly all of us ate different main courses, thoroughly sampling the menu, and rounded it off with a selection of desserts. Limoncello on the house! Excellent value for money and a good night out.
To continue the vibe, how about trying the classic Italian dessert of Panna Cotta for this month’s recipe of the month? https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/vanilla-panna-cotta
Photography – update by Rosemary
Our June meet up at Hawkins Forge was a fun and extended evening as there was a lot to share. We had 3 themes for photos: urban living, flowers and ‘what is it?’ The latter was an amusing exercise with images of a gin and tonic, a plate rack, dripped candlewax, a figurine on the Torre Galatea (Dali Museum), a shadow created by a chair, and buffalo pats drying for fuel. A small selection of our favourite images from the evening are attached.
Walking Group updates by Clare
June Outing: Choumert Square Open Day
Fourteen of us turned out on a sunny Sunday afternoon to visit the annual NGS Open Day at Choumert Square , a delightful enclave of little late-Victorian houses and gardens five minutes’ walk from Peckham Rye station. It’s not actually a square, but rather an alley of 46 cottages, each with its own tiny, pretty front garden, and with a surprise communal walled garden at its far end. Frequently featured in the gardening press and on TV, it’s appeared no fewer than three times on Gardeners’ World . So there was plenty of gardening inspiration on offer, plus a great community atmosphere – with locals’ contributions including drag performances, tarot readings, a classical recorder ensemble, and stalls selling local pottery, vintage clothes and books. Tea and coffee and home-made cakes were of course on offer, plus more exotic delights like date bark – and, for two of our members, a cheeky margarita! All in all a very enjoyable outing.
Walking group June walk
Six of us and Tiger gathered under rather threatening clouds to catch the train to Coulsdon South and repeat last year’s beautiful walk around the nature reserves of Farthing Downs and Happy Valley. It didn’t disappoint: the sun came out, the rain stayed away, there were lots of lovely flowers and birds and butterflies – and this time Chaldon Church was open too, for us to see its amazing Day of Judgment mural of c1200. We can heartily recommend our 5.5. mile circular route, just a 20-minute train ride from Clapham Junction. There’s a nice café in Coulsdon Memorial Ground too, for that all-important coffee break at the end, handily close to the station.
The Big Walk: Haslemere update by Rachel
Seven of us and two dogs set off on a Saturday morning from Clapham Junction to Haslemere for a circular walk of about 9 miles. The day got off to a lovely start with our first stop being the Flower Festival at St. Christopher’s Church in Haslemere, where the gorgeous floral displays were accompanied with specially chosen or newly written, poignant poems based on Wisdom, Spirit and Courage, helping to raise funds for a local Community Hub. By this time the sun had come
out and we carried on along lanes, woods and the heathland of Hindhead Common for several miles to reach the National Trust Cafe at the Devil’s Punchbowl: where the old A3 used to pass! After a coffee and admiring the view of the North Downs, we continued past an art installation and stone sculpture (“The Portal” by Jon Edgar) on to view The Sailor’s Stone where we learnt about the barbarous murder of an unknown sailor by highwaymen. This event is commemorated further on Gibbet Hill, our next stop, where there is a Celtic Cross and more information about those grisly times. Luckily that didn’t detract from our picnic lunch here, at the second highest point of the Surrey Hills, 272m (Leith Hill, which we could see, is the highest). After lunch we continued through woods to The Temple of The Four Winds and then onwards across heathland and lanes to reach Haslemere. After a brief look at the shops, we visited St Christopher’s Church again for delightful tea and cake in their sunny garden, before getting the train back to Clapham Junction. A lovely day out!
There is information about walks from the Devil’s Punchbowl cafe/car park, included free guided walks, on the National Trust website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/hindhead-commons-and-the-devils-punch-bowl/walking-at-hindhead-commons
Guest speaker for July meeting
July 15th Lady Poisoners of Victorian England – David Allen
Are you sitting comfortably? Then let’s begin….. this is one of David’s most popular talks in which he combines his love of history love of history and his skill as a dramatic storyteller. Buckle up as David takes you on a gripping jaunt through the world of plots, deadly poisons and the occasional chopped-up body. History and storytelling rolled into one, each story meticulously researched using contemporaneous accounts from newspapers and police reports. Meet the wicked ladies who bump off their husbands & lovers, such as the lady who falls deeply in love with the handsome new doctor… but oh no, he’s already married! What does she do next? Of course, she takes a trip to the local pharmacy to buy a packet of deadly poison…. Welcome to the true tales of up to five poisoners with one thing on their mind…Murder!
Upcoming speakers for 2025
(subject to change if the speaker cancels or rearranges):
August Outing 19th August, Folkstone
September 16th Fermentation – Clare Heal Would you like to learn how to make delicious and gut-friendly krauts, kimchis, kefir and kombucha. All the Ks basically. Plus other stuff like pickles, preserved lemons, vinegar, mead and natural sodas?Have you made some of those things but want ideas about how to eat them? Are you interested in boosting your gut microbiome, reducing food waste and preserving the seasons? Then this is for you.
October 21st Lighting the Pyre – April Lewis For hundreds of years women were persecuted for witchcraft. Explore the reasons behind the witch craze, interrogation techniques, meet the infamous witch finders and explore the key witch trials in the UK.
November 18th AGM – Get ready to vote for your new committee for 2026. If you wish to stand please talk to our current committee and we can explain what is involved. All are welcome .
December – Christmas Party Bring and share seasonal food
Offshoots
A round up of members’ activities inspired by Battersea WI groups
Celebrating Wandsworth London Borough of Culture: self guided walks and photography competition
Our Walking Group leader Clare is busy putting together a series of free downloadable online self-guided walks through local open spaces for the Battersea Society, to mark Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture year. Here’s no. 1 (St John’s Hill to Battersea Park) and no. 2 (Nine Elms to Lavender Hill) . The walks of course always end with a refreshment stop to hand, and there are four more to come.
The Battersea Society also launched its annual photography competition on 21st June, with the theme ‘Community and Connection.’ They are looking for a single image or photo story that communicates the idea of community and connections in Battersea. Click on the link for more information. Good luck!
Making poppies…
for Corsham WI – following a plea which featured in this BBC article we’ve been in touch with Corsham and they shared their pdf pattern for knitting or crocheting poppies. If you’re not already in the knitting/crochet group but want to make some anyway, it would be lovely to collect as many as possible. Drop a line to Elaine to let her know you want to contribute. Poppies will be sent off early August, so plenty of time to get making! Here’s a photo of some of the ones we’ve already knitted and crocheted.
Remaykit up-cycled fashion show. Review by Jane Clark
We had a fun high energy visit to watch our friends celebrate creativity at Wandsworth Fringe event REMAYKIT, an event where talented makers and designers from our community breathe new life into discarded garments. Some of the designers are people we have worked with. Jill Rutter showed her fabulous indigo and shashiko work. Ellie, who took us walking down the river Wandle earlier this year, showed her very moving Wandle collection of four striking garments reflecting four bird species found in the Wandle. My pieces were cyanotype on textiles and a skirt made from unwanted neckties. Sewing and Sanctuary was also there. Many of you have donated wool and material to them. It was an inspiring event and links into our own WI values of community, friendship, well being, making and creativity.
Surrey Federation
Battersea WI is a member of the Surrey Federation of WIs. The Surrey Federation website has all the latest news about events and links to their monthly newsletter. You can find out more about SFWI events and workshops on their events page, with everything from literary lunches with authors to bread making and glass fusing on offer. You will have to pay for these but they have kept prices as low as possible and are good value. Don’t forget there is a random member bursary – each month someone will be selected to attend the workshop/event/course of their choice!
NFWI – news from HQ
Climate Coalition mass lobby 9th July
Register for the event via My WI. You can find out about why/what/where of the mass lobby and register using the NFWI’s link. You have to register as an individual, not a group. Once you’ve registered there will be space for you to put which group you’re aligned too as well as a prewritten email to send your MP.
110 years of the WI
As part of the celebrations, WIs and Federations are encouraged to join in the celebrations through a few activities, from tree planting and having a ‘party in the Park’ to a free WI Webinar session on our Learning Hub. We hope you will be able to participate in as many activities as possible! NFWI has partnered with Emma Bridgewater to create this lovely celebratory mug – £3 from every sale goes to the NFWI. To read more about the various ways you can celebrate, click here If uploading any pictures/videos to your own social media accounts, don’t forget to use the hashtag #WI110years.
This newsletter has been edited – the full version is sent out in a monthly mailing to our members. If you would like to join, please get in touch via our contact form.