Members’ Corner

Budding Artists!

Four of us from Giffnock NWR had a fun afternoon with a difference in November. We visited Vine and Canvas Painting and Wine Studio in central Glasgow. Heather, our art tutor, guided us through the use of acrylic paint and different brush types. As novice artists we started off hesitantly, but soon moved on to flourishing strokes, enthusiastic dabbing and mixing colours, no doubt due to our creative juices being awakened by intervening sips of wine. A great afternoon and we each went home with our very own masterpiece of that day’s image.

Celebrating 35 years!

On a gloriously sunny day in September last year, 10 members of Harwich and Dovercourt NWR set out for Markshall Estate in Essex, to mark the 35th anniversary of the founding of our group. LO Jan asked members to wear something with the colour coral or jade. For many it was our first adventure since the lifting of Covid restrictions in July, and very welcome.

On arrival we had a brief refreshment stop and a short welcome talk by a member of staff before joining our volunteer guide Brian for a walking tour of the grounds. An excellent and very informative guide, Brian drove his buggy around which was also available to members should they need a little rest. When we reached the lake, some of us regretted not having bought fish food for the large carp, who were so used to visitors that they headed to the side on sensing visitors, in the hope of being fed. Fortunately Brian did bring some with him so we were entertained by the feeding fish, quite a remarkable sight.

The arboretum was of special interest with its variety of trees from different parts of the globe, and we were especially taken with those of the southern hemisphere (Gondwanaland) such as the monkey puzzle from the dinosaur’s age, the curious ancient Wollemi pines and the scented eucalyptus. Later, Brian left us to wander at our leisure on our way back to the Visitor Centre for lunch, taking in the walled garden on the way. After lunch chosen from freshly made sandwiches and a large selection of delicious cakes, there was an opportunity to visit the gift shop and to purchase plants from the garden centre. There was so much to see that a return visit is essential, perhaps at a different season. Jan Dunbar Harwich and Dovercourt NWR

Above: Leighton Buzzard NWR, having a little sit down during a lovely walk in Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire. Still young at heart! Above and right: Some of the 12 strong team from Beccles NWR, thoroughly enjoying their TTT evening Below: Carnon Downs and Playing Place NWR enjoy their food, as you can see from the spread they put on for their Spanish evening, which included a Tarte de Santiago. They are also a handy bunch: they used a craft evening to make Christmas cards with scraps of material.

Good lives

Like many groups, Thame NWR had been having the majority of our meetings via Zoom. One of these was an obituaries evening. It sounds a bit serious, but it was not grim at all!

We covered Barry Cryer, who gave many of us a lifetime of chuckles, and Eileen Ash, a cricketer who died in December aged 110.

One member wrote an obituary for Anne Boleyn and another shared the obituaries of a couple of academics known to her. Others told us about family members where they learnt more about their achievements from the obituaries than they ever did during their lifetimes.

It was a good evening, not too onerous on anyone, and worked well on Zoom. Wendy Prestage Thame NWR

To Wendy!

In October last year Chandler’s Ford Group D met for a celebratory lunch (above) to remember Wendy Aspden who died in 2018. Wendy was a great member and, at that time, the oldest member. She had so enjoyed being one of us that she left a donation for a group celebratory lunch. Members were able to share some fond and amusing memories of her time with us, as well as enjoy an excellent lunch, which was held at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Garden Restaurant. Hillier Gardens is a world class arboretum with a variety of walks that are enjoyed by many in the group. It is a place of beauty, for contemplation and peace, and was a fitting place for us to remember Wendy.

Groups are invited to post members’ obituaries on their group’s page on the NWR website, via their LO or Website Editor. If you need help with this, please log in to the website and go to https://nwr.org.uk/about/ resources-for-nwr-volunteers/. Scroll down to “Guidance for web editors,” where you can download instructions.

Sally Barclay

In loving memory of Sally Barclay who died in January 2022. Sally joined us in Shrewsbury NWR in 2005 but was a member in Market Drayton NWR for many years before that. We will remember you for your wit and style, Sally. Iris Gillies 1939–2022 In fond memory of Iris, the very epitome of a Lively Minded Woman, who was a member of Nantwich and Audlem NWR for over 40 years.

Evelyn Hamilton

Giffnock NWR was deeply saddened when our friend and long-standing member Evelyn passed away suddenly in August 2021. A kind person, always quick to offer support when needed, her contributions to meetings will be much missed.

Alison Holmes

It is with great sadness that Trentham NWR announces the passing of Alison Rosemary Holmes in December 2021, aged 63. Joining in the 1990s, when she was new to the area, Alison was delighted to discover a bunch of kindred spirits. She was a true friend and we will miss her.

Ann Kinsella

Ann was a member of our Worcester Park Group for many years. Diagnosed with cancer over four years ago, she was always brave and positive. We have treasured memories of a loving, caring friend and a bright and intelligent woman who brought so much to our meetings. Judy Lusty 1939–2021 Newton Abbot NWR are very sad to report the recent loss of our dear friend and long-term member Judy Lusty. Friendly, active and welcoming, she had been an enthusiastic member for around 20 years, serving brilliantly in various roles over the years. She is much missed.

Gaynor Malin

Over the last 30 years, Godalming NWR benefitted from the sharpness of Gaynor’s mind and memory, but it was her enthusiasm and her attention to detail that was so special and for which she will be dearly remembered. Carlisle NWR enjoyed their Christmas party—15 members and the obligatory Christmas quiz, plus a Secret Santa and festive fizz. And, to top things off, a seasonal celebration from poet in residence Gill Robinson.

Christmas Crackers

Hark, glad tidings to the gathered I bring Christmas is upon us, the birth of a King. Season’s greetings, Joy, Hope and Goodwill Overindulgence, the Alka Seltzer pill. A time for forgiveness, to be happy and jolly To deck the halls with mistletoe and holly Another year passed, where has time gone? We look back and wonder at what we have done! Good times and sad, they’ve all had their place Another year older, you can tell by your face! Coming together, new friends and old For friendship, fun, laughter—worth their weight in gold. Tinsel and fairy lights, cast a festive glow. Turkey, nut roast and trimmings, and alcohol flow! Party hats on heads, feeling quite flushed Dancing on tables, not to be rushed! National Women’s Register, different and diverse How fortunate our paths crossed, it could have been worse! Good friends are a blessing, so we are never alone Our femme fatale females, at the end of a phone. So my favourite, Christmas crackers, a toast if we are able Pick ourselves up from under the table! Good health, love and happiness, our glass full of cheer A very Merry Christmas and a Guid

New Year

Dibden Purlieu NWR enjoyed their Christmas lunch!

Kilbarchan Christmas Capers!

Kilbarchan NWR managed to arrange several events during the run up to Christmas, despite the tightening of lockdown restrictions.

Book Club

To get us into the Christmas mood our book club met on two different nights—to keep numbers down—to watch the film It’s a Wonderful Life. This was followed up with a Zoom evening to discuss the book which inspired the film: The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern. Unable to find a publisher, in 1943 the author printed 200 copies of the short story and sent them out as Christmas presents to friends. Eventually it came to the attention of Frank Capra and the film adaptation It’s a Wonderful Life was made, with James Stewart in the lead role. We discussed the many differences in the two stories, and the main similarity; that we are not always aware of the effect we have on other people’s lives.

Christmas lunch

Luckily the hotel we had booked was able to accommodate the 15 members who attended at tables of three in a separate room, and we were able to enjoy each other’s company while still adhering to the lockdown restrictions, although it did make for a rather noisy gathering!

Christmas party

For the second year running we held our Christmas party on Zoom, and it would not have been complete without a panto. Jack and the Beanstalk proved great fun yet again—we just love an excuse to get into fancy dress! We also attempted to make an origami Santa which proved very difficult to demonstrate online. Breakout rooms were then used for a short quiz but it was difficult to recall everyone back to the main party once they got chatting!

The meeting was beautifully rounded off with a reading of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas leaving us feeling grateful for the friendships our group has provided, especially over the last two years. Susan Baird Kilbarchan NWR

One of our members Jeannette, and her husband John, had a tree in their garden that needed to be reduced in size. They could have just used the wood for kindling but instead John, who is a keen woodworker, decided to make some wooden Christmas figurines that Jeannette could dress and that they could sell in order to raise money for a charity dear to their hearts: Young Minds. This organisation provides support, advice and information to parents and carers. Two of their grandchildren are adopted and have various mental health issues from birth.

Jeannette and John opened up their house, providing mulled wine and German biscuits; a real German market feel. They have raised nearly £900 from all their hard work. What a wonderful outcome, all from reducing the size of a tree! Left: On a lovely sunny day in May last year

Galleywood NWR

held their postponed celebration of our 60th Anniversary— better late than never! We enjoyed a delicious champagne afternoon tea at our beautiful local Galleywood Vineyards.

Celebrating Diwali

Buckhurst Hill and Woodford NWR

(Evening) Group had a lively get together in early November to celebrate Diwali. We learnt that Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains—and some Buddhists—across the world. It represents the triumph of good over evil, the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over the darkness of ignorance, and is celebrated with rituals such as festive lights, fireworks, sweet delicacies, and family gatherings.

The religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India. Many Hindus associate the festival with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. In Hindu mythology, it is also the day Lord Rama, his wife and brother returned to their homeland after 14 years in exile. Villagers lit a path for Rama who had defeated the demon king Ravana.

People celebrate by wearing their finest clothes—many in our group wore lovely saris—and houses are decorated with oil lamps and circle patterns.

We have several new members, so spent part of the evening introducing ourselves and explaining what had first brought us to NWR. Manjot, our host, ably assisted by husband Raj, served us delicious Indian food and popular sweetmeats such as barfi and gulab jamun.

Out in the back garden we held sparklers and were treated to a brilliant display of fireworks by Raj and Chris. It was the climax to a friendly and colourful evening. Oh, we ran out of time and had to miss out the Bhangra dancing, but we’ll save that for another meeting! Angela Ross Buckhurst Hill

A very special day for Matlock NWR

Barbara Richardson Shoreham-by-Sea NWR In October we celebrated NWR’s 60th anniversary—and 45 years of the Matlock Branch—with our commemorative tree planting, and had a lovely time in the process!

The torrential rain had stopped by 11.00 and the sun came out, just in time for the photograph (below left). With help—a lot of help—from spade wielding husbands and friends, we planted three rowan trees on a hilltop site overlooking the town.

We had invited Lyn Parkin, the founder of the Matlock Group in 1976, to join us. She had moved away from Matlock to Yorkshire but was really pleased to come and speak about the early days when 15 women joined the inaugural meeting.

Judy Scott, one of our current LOs, spoke about the tremendous impact NWR has had on the lives of many local women. For 45 years it has provided an opportunity for lively discussions on a wide variety of topics and has been the starting point for many life-long friendships.

Afterwards we retired to the garden to reminisce about the times we had shared together—sometimes sad but mostly joyful.

The trees will be a constant reminder of a happy day for Matlock NWR. Matlock NWR

National Women’s Register, Unit 31, Park Farm Industrial Estate, Ermine Street, Buntingford, Herts, SG9 9AZ Registered Charity number 295198 “ Our style is informal and relaxed with local group meetings for women offering conversation, friendship and fun. We have over 300 groups nationwide, with each group creating its own programme of events and activities to ensure members get to talk about what interests them, balancing serious subjects with those that are lighter. I have made so many friends, discussed and explored interesting and challenging subjects. It has lifted my spirits in life’s down periods and at times I have laughed till I ached. Have you recently moved house?

“Your local NWR group is looking for new members.offi ce@nwr.org.uk01603 406767 @ www.nwr.org.ukwww.facebook.com/nwr.uk Are you newly retired?Or simply want to meet people and make new friends?Then NWR is for you!

• Learn something new at our annual conference • Go on outings and trips with your local group• Learn something new at our annual conference • Laugh and have fun at meetings with light-hearted discussion topics• Solve the puzzles in the NWR newsletter or join an online quiz• Join a group entering the Telephone Treasure Trail — NWR’s annual interactive national quiz event• Start a new hobby — join a sub-group and connect with women with similar interests discussion topics• Solve the puzzles in the NWR newsletter or join an online quiz• Join a group entering the Telephone Treasure Trail — NWR’s annual interactive national quiz event• Start a new hobby — join a sub-group and connect with women with similar interests• Go on outings and trips with your local group Fun • Laugh and have fun at meetings with light-hearted and regional events Fun • Connect with women across the country• Meet fellow members at our national conference • Meet fellow members at our national conference and regional events • Get out and about with new friends • Connect with women across the country• Build new contacts when you move to a new area• Get out and about with new friends

Have fun! Have fun! Come along tolocal meetings and national events Come along tolocal meetings and national events

• Benefi t from a local network of women• Build new contacts when you move to a new area• Build new and lasting friendships• Benefi t from a local network of womenFriendship • Build new and lasting friendships • Participate in the Big Read Friendship

• Share your thoughts at an online book group• Participate in the Big Read• Access past recordings of NWR online talks and magazines• Share your thoughts at an online book group • Read our regular e.newsletters• Listen live to a wide range of online quality talks and participate in the Q&A • Listen live to a wide range of online quality talks and participate in the Q&A• Access past recordings of NWR online talks and magazines

Engage in stimulating discussions Engage in stimulating discussions

• Take part in online meetings• Receive the NWR Magazine featuring articles, member news and NWR news • Receive the NWR Magazine featuring articles, member news and NWR news• Read our regular e.newsletters • Participate in discussions with your group on a range of subjects• Play a part in creating your group’s programme of discussion topics of subjects• Play a part in creating your group’s programme of discussion topics• Take part in online meetings Conversation • Participate in discussions with your group on a range