This version of the newsletter has been edited for our website. A full version is emailed to members each month. To find out about joining, please visit our contact page
Hello everyone and welcome to the July newsletter
June Meeting Roundup
Business of the Day: Elaine spoke to us about the upcoming Edenbridge and Oxted Show. She and Vivien have created a two page summary of the Surrey Fed guidelines, together with a helpful table outlining the various classes to inspire members to submit an entry (or two!) We’d love to see lots of you take part. Battersea WI has done well with first prizes in the past. There is lots more information in the Craft section of our newsletter.
Amanda reminded us about the upcoming trip to Portsmouth in August. Please let Amanda know if you’re interested in going. Full details of this and other Outings are in the Group Meet Up Dates section.
Members were thanked for their generous donations to Little Village’s Children’s Underwear Appeal as well as donations to Wandsworth Food Bank.
Brushlettering Workshop For the rest of our June meeting, we enjoyed a workshop with Lorna from Crafternoon London. She took members through the basics of Brushlettering and we then practised this skill using the prepared packs provided. Some went on to create birthday/thank you cards. Feedback from members was how much they enjoyed the session and would possibly carry on practising (and maybe enter something in to E&O?)
Our next meeting on 21st July will be a summer party before we break for August and by (very) popular demand we will be playing bingo followed by fish and chips – on the house. As we will need to know numbers in advance, an email will be sent to everyone in the next couple of weeks, so please look out for that and reply when you know if you will be able to join us.
Newsletter If any of our members have (or would like to have) knowledge about using Mailchimp, Instagram or websites, please contact Elaine. We’re looking for additional help with newsletters, IG posts and website updates.
Don’t forget to check Offshoots, for local information on what’s on in Battersea as well as the SurreyFed section for info about SFWI free outings for members.
Have a great month
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: forthcoming speakers, events and meetings 2026
(Running order subject to change according to availability of speakers.)
21st July – Fish and Chip Supper (back by popular demand!)
August – Summer break
15th September – History Talk on Agent Zo, with Clare Mulley
20th October – Kirtles, Corsets and Curtains with Sarah Slater, Hampton Court Tour Guide
17th November – AGM
15th December – Christmas Party
Your BWI Groups – activities and updates
Book Groups – what we’ve been reading
Battersea Bookends update by Caro. In June we read A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne, a page turner psychological story about a manipulative and amoral sociopath, Maurice Swift, who has one goal in life, to become a famous recognized published author and will stop at nothing, including ruining people’s lives to achieve it. Boyne brilliantly mocks the pretension, jealousies, and insincerity of the writing industry and festival circuits.
Boozy Books update by Amanda. This month we read Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. The book raised many ecological questions as well as being a page turner on a family’s emotional and moral struggle. The key question was what do we save when the world is drowning, how to we choose one species over another and should survival include wonder, not just usefulness? We found the book to be excellent but felt it was not one we could recommend to all as it will only appeal to some readers.
Chapter One Reading Group update by Jane. This month we read Three Days in June by Anne Tyler. The three days of this novel are the day of a wedding and the day immediately before and after. The focus however is on the marriage and break up of the long divorced parents of the bride. This is a short novel but with a warm and witty style. Anne Tyler is good at getting under the skin of her characters making them believable if not always likeable. It covers a lot of emotional ground particularly around compromise and forgiveness. Despite not liking most of the people in the book we enjoyed discussing their reactions to the events affecting them.
BWI Outings – Winchester update by Sue M
On a very wet day, at the beginning of June, a hardy group of BWI members travelled to Winchester to enjoy the delights of one of the UK’s most historically important cities. Nicola, our guide, kept up the energy and momentum as she skilfully showed us around the most culturally significant sites including the Cathedral the Great Hall, and the recently unveiled statue of Jane Austen. A thoroughly enjoyable day despite the rain.
Coffee Morning – update by Clare GH
Next meeting Thursday 2nd July at 11am, look forward to seeing everyone then.
Craft Group – update by Elaine
Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Show – call for entries
Vivien and I have gone through the schedule and provided a summary here. There are 18 Classes in total, so check the SFWI show schedule for full details and drop us a line to let us know what you plan to enter. The Classes cover everything from baking to crafting, sewing, painting, preserves making, and photography. There is a new class for those who have completed a project in the last year using a new craft or skill. To align with the broader aims of the WI, entrants are encouraged to use materials and resources already available to you. Re-use, recycle, up-cycle and repurpose where you can.
Cribbage ♣️♦️♥️ ♠️ update by Derinda
We didn’t meet up in June but will get together again to play cribbage in July at the newly decorated Battersea Arts Centre Scratch Bar. New joiners always welcome. 😊
Film Club review by Clare G
We turned out for Film Group early on a Monday afternoon this month, and found ourselves all rather charmed by Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day. Set in London in 1910 and loosely based on Woolf’s little-known second novel, this was a lively, funny, fast-paced tale, which had been adapted by actor-turned-filmmaker Justine Waddell, and directed by Iranian-born Tina Gharavi. Haley Bennett stars as Katherine Hilbery, a bright young woman determined to study mathematics and astronomy at Cambridge University. Timothy Spall and Jennifer Saunders have a great time playing her indignant parents (who can’t understand why she can’t just get married…), Lily Allen is her supportive suffragette friend and Jack Whitehall and Elyas M’Barek supply romantic interest. It’s sweet but never saccharine, and the cinematography is delightful too. Some of the accompanying music grated a bit (too loud and/or incongruous) though, so we’re awarding it 3.5 rather than 4 out of 5.
Foodies – update by Amanda
In June a small group of us met (rest all off on holiday!) to share a buffet of hot roasted gammon and salads. This was followed by a beautiful apple pie and cream. It was a lovely, relaxed evening and we chatted late into the evening. This is the link to the gammon recipe using the boil first principle: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/traditional_honey-glazed_52289
Green Living, Sustainability and Foraging – update by Elaine
This month’s green living tip – small actions add up: Octopus Energy’s website lists plenty of information on energy saving advice for all areas of your home.
Please keep your suggestions coming in. For more information visit the Recycle Now website.
Climate Ambassador update: the June edition of Brightside hasan article about the importance of Biodiversity in the Borough and a link to their website’s Biodiversity Page where you can watch newly appointed Cabinet Member for the Environment Ethan Brooks visiting King George’s Park with Maya, WBC’s Ecology Planning &
Policy Officer. The page also lists comprehensive information about species data (and a video about Tawny Owls), habitats, and sites of importance.
Back in February, a few of us made green hearts for the Show the Love climate action campaign, which we delivered to Marsha de Cordova’s office. Her PA Milly sent this photo showing them in pride of place on the office noticeboard and said “it really makes a difference to have handmade art made with love in the office.”
On 16th July there’s a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing at St Barnabas Church, Clapham Common. Details in Offshoots.
For more information about the WI’s Climate Ambassador Scheme click here
Knitting, Crochet & Sewing update by Joan
We’re on our Summer break at the moment. Back in September.
Outings Group update by Amanda
June outing – lunch at Fiume, Battersea Power Station We met for a wonderful set lunch at Fiume. The food was magnificent and the chef joined us for a photo at the end. Thoroughly recommended by all of us: amazing starters (veal carpaccio, tuna tartare and pear and walnut salad pictured below,) mains and homemade ice cream. Do visit!
Simply Sketching update by Vivien
The Simply Sketching group met on a sunny day (not a heatwave day!), and the call had gone out for everyone to bring something they’d like to draw. We had a little figure of Sancho Panza, a charming wooden robin, gorgeous vintage china, a baby’s shoe, a pretty keyring on a lovely checked cloth, and a very old (and dear) jar of seashells. Every item held a story, and it was a joy to spend time sharing memories whilst we drew.
Swimming Group update by Sue M
I will put details of our July swim at Hampstead Ladies Pond on the WhatsApp group, so let me know if you would like to join and I will add you. Contact details on Group Meet ups page.
Walking Group update by Clare
Eight of us and Tiger set out on a thankfully dry Friday morning for our June walk, a six-mile circular route around Farthing Downs and Happy Valley . These two outstanding chalk grassland and woodland nature reserves to the south of Croydon are just 20 minute train ride from Clapham Junction, but incredibly beautiful and peaceful. We spotted a kestrel, some skylarks, and many butterflies and wildflowers, including lots of orchids and Greater Yellow Rattle. It was lovely to find remote open at the far end of our circuit, and view its 12th-century Doom painting. We also of course enjoyed a refreshment stop at the end at the nice cafe in the park near the station – featuring home-made cake, sausage sandwiches, and coconut and chocolate icecream.
We’d also planned an extra day out on 25 June, going down to Egham on the train to visit Runnymede Water Meadows. Sadly the weather was just too hot, so we’re hoping to do that in October instead.
Offshoots
a round up of members’ activities inspired by the WI and events of local interest
Community Photography Exhibition, Pump House Gallery, Battersea Park
14-17 July, 9am – 5pm
(late opening until 7pm on Tuesday 14th and Thursday 16th)
Explore a community photography exhibition in the Pump House Gallery in Battersea Park celebrating photographs of people enjoying Battersea Park throughout the years. The exhibition forms part of the Battersea Park Cascades Restoration Project, celebrating the memories that make Battersea Park special to so many people. No booking required, just drop in.
M&S and Waitrose at Clapham Junction will both be closing in July for refurbishment:
M&S from 11 July to 2 Sept
Waitrose 18 July to 17 September
For more information visit the Wandsworth Guardian where you’ll also find a link to Batterseabeat on Instagram.
The Battersea Insider
The newly relaunched Battersea Insider provides a monthly round up of events in the area that may be of interest. The July issue has just been published. You can sign up here. The focus is on Battersea Society events but they cover wider Battersea activities as well. You may unsubscribe at any time.
If you have anything for publication in our next newsletter, please email Elaine with your text and photos. Articles and photos may also be included on our website and IG feed.
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.
NFWI – news from HQ
For more information visit the National Federation website
This version of the newsletter has been edited for our website. A full version is emailed to members each month. To find out about joining, please visit our contact page.