Townswoman Issue 4 2020 by Think Publishing

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TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILDS – MAKING WOMEN’S LIVES BETTER SINCE 1929

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MEANING BUSINESS The cookery school, cycle guide and café-cum-store overcoming Covid

SMOOTHING THE PATH

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WIN!

Six bottles of sherry for celebrating Christmas

JOIN USÖ US…

Brewer Jaega Wise – see page 38

➯ ¡Jᙠ➡ ✳➙✙✙ ⑧♣❛❂♣✙ At TG’s free online carol service ☞➙⑧❛ ➡✙➙ɮ❂☞✙

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British Red Cross

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Welcome, 1

WELCOME

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Published on behalf of the Townswomen’s Guilds by Think, Capital House, 25 Chapel Street, London NW1 5DH www.thinkpublishing.co.uk

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Editor Jane Yettram Designer Amanda Richardson Chief sub-editor Marion Thompson Account director Rachel Walder Advertising sales executive Jamie Dawson 020 3771 7201 jamie.dawson@ thinkpublishing.co.uk

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Special thanks to Rhiannon Batsford and Beryl Hales of TGHQ. We welcome your stories, comments and suggestions. Please email photographs if possible. Or, if posting, send duplicate photographs only, as originals cannot be returned. Email or write to TGHQ at the addresses above. The publisher cannot be held responsible for loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. The views of contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect the policy of the Townswomen’s Guilds nor those of the publisher. © 2020 Townswomen. All rights reserved. Every reasonable endeavour has been made to find and contact the copyright owners of the works included in this magazine. However, if you believe a copyright work has been included without your permission, please contact the publisher. All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at time of going to print. Printed by Pureprint.

Stepping

onwards W

hat a year we are having. No one could have predicted it. We went into lockdown positively, sharing ideas for spending our time constructively and keeping in contact with one another. We didn’t think it would go on so long, as we first postponed and then cancelled events. We got excited as lockdown seemed to ease, and some of us took pleasure in meeting outside in small groups. The prospects began to seem gloomy again as the sun disappeared and the cathedrals cancelled the carol services. It seemed as if things would never be the same again. Many of us haven’t felt able to do more than basic shopping, travel on public transport or walk in crowded areas. If this is you, you are in good company. I haven’t summoned the courage to visit the hairdresser yet! But we are resourceful, we are Townswomen. Some smaller Guilds are finding they can meet again in Covid-secure pubs and cafés. We may not be allowed to walk around talking to everyone but just being in the same space with friends, to nod, smile and wave, can ease the sense of being alone. Although we can’t bring you a traditional carol service this year, we are working on creating a virtual one that small groups and (see page 24). This really is a case where little families can share. We are still planning for things can make a difference and we can all do International Women’s Day and next something in our own small way – certainly, year’s AGM. The newsletter those who lived through post-war Recruitment! will continue to enable austerity have a lot to offer. Finished with your us to bring you the We cannot change the year copy of Townswoman? Pop latest updates. Online we have had, but we can join it through the letterbox of a nonactivities will continue, together to save the planet and TG friend, with details of your local and if those without make women’s lives better. Guild. She could be inspired to join TG, either now or when meetings resume. internet access have Recycling! If you don’t pass ideas for things we on or keep your magazine, might do to help remember that it isn’t just them, we really want Townswoman that’s recyclable – the to hear from them. polywrap it arrives in is too. Just take it to carrier bag collection In this magazine we points at major are launching our new Penny Ryan, supermarkets. campaign, ‘In Our Hands’ National Chair

Mouse About Town (www.mouseabouttown.co.uk)

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Townswomen’s Guilds Gee Business Centre, First Floor, Gee House, Holborn Hill, Birmingham B7 5JR Tel: 0121 326 0400 Email: contact GET IN @the-tg.com TOUCH www.the-tg.com

I haven’t visited the hairdresser yet!

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Contents

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NOTEBOOK The latest TG news 13 WHAT’S ON Our free online carol service open to all – plus events to look forward to in 2021 15 EVENTS ROUND-UP Celebrating summer and friendship 16 RECRUITMENT Bringing young women into the TG family

Your TG PRODUCTION

18 MAILBAG Your letters and emails 20 TOWNSWOMEN TOGETHER Guilds & Feds in pictures

Our campaigns

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24 IN OUR HANDS We can all do our bit to save the planet with TG’s new campaign 26 SCRAPBOOK Standing up for equality

Living 27 REMARKABLE WOMEN RSPB founder Emily Williamson 28 OPEN FOR BUSINESS Three award-winning businesswomen battling back from Covid-19 32 A DAY IN THE LIFE Denise Fowler – bringing women a home of their own 34 TAKING IT SLOW The new network of walking trails aiming to put us on a path to wellbeing 36 10 TOP TIPS For an eco-thrifty Christmas 42 MY WORLD Fan maker Victoria Ajoku – keeping a heritage craft alive

Time for you 37 PARTNERS IN CRIME Curl up with the latest murder-mystery fiction 38 FOOD FOR THOUGHT Raise a glass: meet a winemaker, a brewer and a distiller 40 PUZZLES AND GIVEAWAYS Give your brain a workout

LOOK OUT

for the next issue of Townswoman – out on 29 January 2021

and win some great prizes

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SMOOTHING THE PATH

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JOIN USÖ

Brewer Jaega Wise ñ see page 38

➯ ¡Jᙠ➡ ✳➙✙✙ ⑧♣❛❂♣✙ ☞➙⑧❛ ➡✙➙ɮ❂☞✙

On the cover All cover stories are marked with a heart. Photo: @carmelkingphoto

Townswomen’s Guilds was born 91 years ago in 1929. Since then, we have been bringing fun and f riendship to thousands, and speaking out on issues our members care about. Not part of TG? We’d love you to join us. Visit www.the-tg.com Email contact@the-tg.com Call 0121 326 0400

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Contents, 1

CONTENTS

BULLETIN NEWS VERSION

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HAVE INTERNET, WILL MEET Last issue, we introduced you to TiG – Townswomen Internet Guilds. Since then we’ve had our online TiG Open Day – and even our very first real TiG meeting…

Tricia Lucas-Clark

TiG OPEN DAY

I signed up to TG’s TiG Open Day on Wednesday 15 July in order to find out more about the Internet Guilds that have been talked about for a while and report back to our Guild. At first, there were only five participants, but then we were joined by two more, and two further meetings were held during the day. The Open Day proved to be very informative and helpful. As we were all existing members of Guilds, we didn’t learn about setting up a new Guild on 6 THE-TG.COM ISSUE 04 2020

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the internet, but we discovered so much about using Zoom for meetings. We can use an iPad, tablet or phone to join a meeting. It is possible to set up a private meeting for a Guild, with members joining by invitation only. A link can also be shared with a speaker so they can join the meeting too. A ‘whiteboard’ can be used during the meeting to make notes and so on, and pictures and videos can be shown too, with anyone contributing. In these days of lockdown, it seems to me that using Zoom to keep in touch

or hold meetings is an excellent idea. There is no room-hire cost or travelling expenses, and the meetings can be as flexible as necessary. Book groups and crafts groups could use Zoom too. National Recruitment Officer Sara Trayers is holding Zoom training sessions to teach how to use Zoom, with a possible opportunity for one-to-one sessions. Plus there will be help sheets in the Members’ Area on the TG website. I have signed up for the Zoom session about using the whiteboard and am

News, 1

looking forward to the other training sessions. I am very excited! Meg Johnson, High Heaton Guild TG’S VERY FIRST TiG

September saw the opening of our first TiG, the Townswomen Internet Guild of Buntingford and Beyond. It started with six members, two who are new to TG and four who already belong to traditional Guilds. They spent several weeks beforehand deciding on when they would meet, what they wanted to do during their meetings and what they wanted to achieve as a TiG. They are working out the details of the programme for their meetings (which are about 40 minutes long) as they go along, because internet meetings are very different to meeting face to face. New member Tricia Lucas-Clark has taken the initial lead. ‘I decided to set up an i-Guild to meet other like-minded people to: • encourage compassion and support others • join together to have fun, chat, laugh and share knowledge and experiences • believe in ourselves and how remarkable we are • keep an open mind, give things a try and not to be put off by failure or if things don’t work out as planned.’ An inclusion and diversity champion, Tricia says: ‘I am a facilitator for #IamRemarkable, a Google initiative to empower women, as well as a STEM ambassador. In my spare time I bake, paint and grow herbs and vegetables.’ Tricia provided the TiG name (she comes from Buntingford) as well as one of her pen, ink and watercolour paintings (left) to use on their Facebook page. Members want to be flexible in taking turns to lead so that everyone feels that they have an equal contribution to make. They were all enthusiastic about joining as their TiG is something to look forward to, gives them a purpose and is a good way of getting people talking. Those who were existing TG members wanted to join as they missed the social interaction of Guild meetings. If you want to know more, take a look at Get Surfing (page 9), look on the website or have a chat with Sara Trayers, National Recruitment Officer (07521 502846 or sara@the-tg.com). Beryl Hales, National Vice Chair

TG NEEDS YOU

Wait! Please don’t skip this bit. I know that we are always seeking people to become Trustees, but I think this request is slightly different. TRUSTEES

We currently have eight out of a maximum of 14 board members and need more to ensure that TG can continue and reach our centenary. During lockdown, we learnt that virtual meetings can work as well as physical meetings, and can be both shorter and more frequent. In future, the board will meet physically only three times a year. Virtual meetings can give us more flexibility and, we hope, open the possibility of joining the board to members who are still working. Our average age as a board is currently 72 – can you help us lower that? Trustees must have experience of the way Guilds operate; knowledge of Federations is helpful but not essential. Every Trustee has an area of the country to look after

Jean

Connie

Lynda

Maureen

Four of TG’s current Trustees

and advise, so a willingness to seek help from other Trustees is important as you grow into the role. Some travel is necessary, and an occasional overnight stay may be needed. Trustees do not get pay or allowances but are reimbursed for expenses incurred in line with our expenses policy. Trustees do get great pleasure and satisfaction from their role, as our series ‘Why I’m glad to be a Trustee’ (see page 11) shows. If you would like to find out more, please email us at the address below. VOLUNTEERS

We are also looking for volunteers to help in several areas (we don’t pay our volunteers but do reimburse reasonable expenses). • If you have professional expertise in law, human resources, PR or insurance, we would particularly like to know that we can turn to you for advice. • We rely on volunteers to help with main mailings, so if you live locally to TGHQ and can offer occasional help with this, or other office tasks, please do step forward. • This year we would particularly like to find an archivist (not necessarily a professional) to help us catalogue and store or display our history. We have a collection of items that could create an exhibit to tour local museums or events, and volunteer help to put that together would be great. • Finally, we would like to find people willing to take part in our podcasts. These are recorded from the comfort of your home, but you will need internet access, and a built-in microphone. If you fancy becoming a star of the airways, drop us an email telling us about your interests. For any of these roles, please email chairman@the-tg.com or write to us at TGHQ.

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BULLETIN NEWS VERSION

NEW TG RESOURCES

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We keep adding to the resources for you to download and print from the TG website, so check out the following popular items in the Downloadable Guild Documents section of the Members’ Area. Thanks to Trustee Maureen Brown for making these for us. • Month-to-view calendar, which looks at what TG continues to be involved with and how we are moving forward. This would be great to put in your meeting place as an advert for your Guild. • Year-to-view calendar – another useful way of advertising TG and shows that all women are welcome to join us. • 2021 membership cards – useful for members to have to hand when they need their membership number to log into the website. • TG Christmas cards (new), which can be printed on heavy paper or thin card and are blank for your own message.

A PATRON TO BE PROUD OF On 15 August, we wanted to wish Princess Anne a happy birthday and thank her for all that she has done for us as our Patron for the past 40 years. As well as sending her a card, we made a short video scrapbook of photos and members’ memories of her since 1980 – you can find it in the news section of www.the-tg.com. Princess Anne became TG’s patron in 1980 and has been happy to address us at our AGMs and read at our National Carol Services. She presents prizes and awards and supports our special celebrations. Here are just three members’ memories: ‘She is a wonderful lady, easy to talk to and always puts you at ease.’ ‘You never quite know what she will talk to you about but it is always an interesting conversation.’ ‘She has a great sense of humour and is unflappable.’ And National Chair Penny Ryan recalls: ‘National Savings stamps were my first “encounter” with the Princess, who was depicted on them. I also remember watching the royal family documentary in 1969 and being very jealous of her! ‘I have had the pleasure of meeting Princess Anne on a

THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR Lockdown brought a lot of positive things for me. Here are a few… • Lovely letters and calls from members

and friends • Lower traffic levels locally so less noise and better air quality • Neighbours who watch out for me • Hearing the small children, from the bungalow squeezed behind my property, playing and becoming more confident with language and movement. Not just at lockdown, but I am blessed with a daughter who shares my passions (except knitting) and hate of injustice. We may not have had much physical contact recently, but she knows 8 THE-TG.COM ISSUE 04 2020

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just when I am likely to be on my high horse! As a teenager she helped with my research into gender inequality in education and I think that has inspired her own work and continued thirst for knowledge. I am grateful for her continued support and encouragement. National Chair Penny Ryan

Princess Anne’s portrait in the TG office, recalling when she first became our Royal Patron

number of occasions, the first time in about 1997. She is a very inspiring speaker, and I am always impressed by her knowledge of the charity sector and of TG. ‘On behalf of our members, I want to thank her for the 40 years’ support she has given us. I hope she will remain our Royal Patron for many years to come – we couldn’t wish for a better one.’

READERSHIP SURVEY Thank you to everyone who shared their views in the Readership Survey from Issue 1 of this year. Because 2020 has brought huge changes to everyone, including TG, we have decided to instead do a survey more relevant to the post-coronavirus world at some time in the future. We are still hugely grateful to those who took part – and the winner of a £50 M&S gift card is Maureen Shaw of Kettering Seagrave (A) Guild.

News, 2

TG OBITUARIES There is now a place in the Members’ Area of the website to remember those members and TG supporters who we have sadly lost. National Chair Penny Ryan writes: ‘We are often asked whether we can publish obituaries in Townswoman. Sadly, at times this would dominate the issue. However, we should remember

GET SURFING

At the beginning of 2020, few of us knew about Zoom. But it has the potential to keep us all in touch, whether as a TiG or for other get-togethers. Trustee Beryl Hales and National Recruitment Officer Sara Trayers explain… WHAT CAN I SHARE AT A ZOOM MEETING?

Zoom has several ways that you can share information. This will work differently depending on whether you are using a desktop, laptop, tablet or phone. If your machine is older, or you are using a phone, you may be able to see what is being shared by others, but you might not be able to share your own photos and so on. • You can send small written messages

during a meeting using the chat button. For example, you can show the spelling of a name or word, write dates for people to note down, or share the name and author of a book. • The whiteboard is where you can share a larger amount of written information and work on it together as a group. For example, you can use it to take minutes of meetings, note down decisions made or plan and organise events. It can be saved and then revisited or emailed. • Photos, documents and videos can all be shared by using the share screen button.

WHITEBOARD WEDNESDAY

If all these functions sound interesting but you are not sure how to go about using them, National Recruitment Officer Sara Trayers is running training sessions every Wednesday morning at 10am. You do not need to book a place – just go to the Members’ Area of www.the-tg.com and join in. The meetings do not have a set timetable because everyone is using different machines and is at different stages of using Zoom. We are able to work flexibly together to meet everyone’s needs. It’s not like being back at school and is very informal! Members who have been once keep coming back, so we must be getting something right. They have also said, ‘Because we are all learning together, the more mistakes we make, the more confident we get – and we always spend a lot of time laughing!’ PRIVATE AND PUBLIC TiG MEETINGS

As welcoming as your Guilds are, you might find it a bit odd if someone just wandered into your meeting one day, sat down and started to take part. And, especially if you are just getting used to the idea of holding your meetings via the internet, you may feel particularly concerned about

those we loved who have died, and for the moment the Member Forum on the website seems to be our best option. Please feel free to post your tributes; you can add photographs to your post if you wish.’ Log into the Members’ Area of www.the-tg.com, then click on Member Forum. Need help? Contact Jo Egan at TGHQ, who will be happy to help you.

someone showing up unannounced when meeting online. If this is the one thing stopping you from giving TiG a go, then don’t worry. All you need to do is arrange for a private meeting and it will not appear on the website’s list. You will be sent a link to use to get into the meeting, which you can then share with those you would like to join you – and only those with this link will be able to join. This way, you can enjoy your meeting without worrying that someone unexpected will jump in. On the other hand, you may not mind who shows up to your online meeting. If you want to encourage members from other Guilds, Associate Members or even potential new members to join an activity, such as a book club, writing group, knit and natter or to listen to a speaker, then you can have a public meeting. It will appear in the list of meetings on the website and any members going onto that page will be able to join your meeting. All TiG meetings are booked through Sara and when you contact her to book a meeting, she will ask you what type of meeting you want: private or public. So whether you want a private space for your Guild members to catch up with one another, or a public platform to share conversation and ideas with others, please email sara@the-tg.com and she will set you on the right path. ISSUE 04 2020 THE-TG.COM 9

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AGM 2020 – ONLINE

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As you know, the pandemic meant that the traditional TG AGM had to be abandoned this year. However, our statutory duties to hold a meeting remained. So noon on 16 September saw 30 members link together virtually through the TiG meeting portal. These are the minutes of that meeting. 1. The Chair welcomed

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those present and noted apologies from Trustee Lynda Young and our President, Dame Diana Brittan, before handing over to Company Secretary and Treasurer Marilyn Lawton. 2. The minutes of the 2019

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AGM were included in the Autumn 2019 magazine. 3. The accounts, annual

d. We confirm the appointment of Maureen Brown from High Heaton Guild as a Trustee/Director of the National Organisation – those in favour 166, those against 0. 4. The Officers and Board

who will serve until the next AGM are as follows: Chair – Penny Ryan Vice Chairs – Beryl Hales, joined by Jean Watkins from Bournemouth Federation Treasurer – Marilyn Lawton Trustees – Connie Nunn, Barbara Cobain, Lynda Young and Maureen Brown.

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National Chair Penny Ryan

5. Plans for the future. Penny

spoke about the difficulties for Guilds in reopening and expressed concern with Government guidance, with guidance issued the week before the AGM suggesting that we may be able to meet again in some areas, but – by the time of the AGM – suggesting that we would have to identify as a support group to meet. She then spoke about the changes we are making at TGHQ (see right) and thanked David, Donna and Sharon for their long service. She said that the new structure would rely on the strong teamwork

report and resolutions were sent to Guild Primary Contacts in early August. Completed voting papers were received from 166 Guilds. Marilyn announced the results of the voting on these: a. We accept the annual report of the Trustees – those in favour 166, those against 0. b. We accept the accounts and report of the Independent Examiner – those in favour 166, those against 0. c. We agree to the Treasurer appointment of Marilyn Lawton Trevor Jones & Co as Independent Examiners for 2021 for a fee to be determined by the Trustees – those in favour 166, those against 0. 10 THE-TG.COM ISSUE 04 2020

Delegates take part in this year’s AGM via Zoom

of Rhiannon Batsford, Helen Collins, Joanne Egan, Kelli Jones, Nancy Smith and Sara Trayers. The redundancies will save around £7,000 this year after redundancy payments, and £91,000 in a full year. Staff changes would be followed by a reassessment of all operating costs, including premises costs. She praised the introduction of TiGs and noted the relaunch of Townswomen Student Guilds. She stressed that we want to focus strongly on providing support for Guilds and members as we emerge from lockdown, and providing a range of activities and events around the country, including local Chairs at Home meetings.

She finished by praising the work of all Guild and Federation Committee members and reminded them to let us know if they had suggestions or ideas, particularly for things that would make their own or members’ lives easier or more interesting. 6. Questions raised held the Trustees to account for their monitoring of staff, marketing effectiveness and our investment strategy. The need to keep records of ethnicity was also raised – we will put this out to members. Gratitude was expressed to Trustees, and Beryl and Sara received special thanks for their work with internet groups and online training.

News, 3

TGHQ NEWS HEAD OFFICE CHANGES

Covid-19 has changed everyone’s lives and TGHQ is not immune. The Trustees have thought carefully about how we work nationally, and know the time has come to reduce our administration costs. Members remain at the heart of what we do. We are continuing to recruit, we are receiving enquiries every day and, where we can, are involving potential members with our online activities. Events (subject only to virus restrictions), our magazine, campaigns and Guild support will continue unchanged. Our first cost cuts have been in staffing, our highest expense. Making people redundant is not something to be taken lightly but, after much discussion, we agreed that the posts we had to cut were the Office Manager, Receptionist and full-time Finance Officer (the latter to be replaced by a part-time Finance

AFFILIATION FEE FOR 2021/2

Assistant). This, sadly, means that we have said goodbye to David Brotherton, Sharon Gordon and Donna Treasure. We wish them all well. Currently, all emails and phone numbers are being responded to by other staff and Trustees. We will update staff contact details in the next magazine.

The affiliation fee for next year will remain at £17 per member. This will also be the fee for Associate Members. The pro rata basis will continue to apply. LARGE GUILD CONSTITUTION

After lengthy discussions and Covid delays we hope to be able to move this forward to be actioned at Guild 2021 AGMs. Don’t hold your breath, but watch this space.

We wish former TGHQ staff – Donna, David and Sharon – well

WHY I’M GLAD TO BE A TRUSTEE I have been a member of TG for 20 years now. After I retired from business, like most people, I began to look around for something to do. One day, a neighbour invited me to go with her to her Guild and, after enjoying a couple of meetings, I joined Greasby Guild. The following year, when their secretary retired, I was asked to take her place, and I continued in that role for six years. During that time the Guild membership began to drop, so I initiated a recruitment drive that succeeded in bringing in

new members – and Greasy Guild is still growing today. Later, I was invited to join the Wirral Federation committee and then became Federation Secretary.

About five years ago, I was asked to join the Board of Trustees and found that I enjoyed being part of TG’s organisation and decision-making process. It can be hard work, but it is enjoyable and interesting too. I also enjoy meeting so many members from all over the UK, and hearing their views and ideas. I enjoy visiting our lovely ladies in the North West of England, which is the area for which I am responsible. It has been a joy to make so many new friends among them.

As the North West Development Officer, I try to assist Guilds with help and ideas for recruitment. I also started a new Guild in New Brighton, nurturing it as its chairman for three years until it had grown strong enough to stand alone. Now I am its president. At present, the board consists of eight Trustees, but we would welcome more members because, as some retire, we need new people to take their place. So please do consider joining us. National Trustee Barbara Cobain

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Diary, 1

What's on

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY BULLETIN

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It’s been a tough year with events being cancelled, but we are still planning several national TG occasions and look forward to all being together again

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021 Monday 8 March, subject to change; 10.30am-4pm Bredbury Hall Hotel, Osborne Street, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2DH Tickets: £32 members/£35 non-members, including twocourse luncheon TGHQ contact: Paisley silk Kelli Jones

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We hope to kick off our events next year with a day celebrating women from all over the world. Speakers will include a curator from the Silk Museum (www.macclesfield museums.co.uk), and more speakers will be announced in the next Townswoman. During lunch, you’ll be able to catch up with new and old friends, visit the mobile TG shop and enjoy the beautiful grounds of the hotel. See How to Apply for TG Events, below right. NATIONAL CAROL SERVICE Friday 4 December, 2pm Now (playback available after online the event) Tickets: free – an Order of Service and instructions will be in the Members’ Area of www.the-tg.com from Monday 16 November TGHQ contact: Kelli Jones Sadly, it has been confirmed that the cathedrals will not be allowing any live carol services this year. However, we are working with Bristol to produce a recorded programme that we can share online. Keep an eye on the website or newsletter for how to join in.

SOC DISTANIAL CING Arrang ements for all even ts will b e subject to the social-d istancin g rules ap plic at the ti able me.

Scarborough, here we come!

CARING FOR CARERS

Wednesday 31 March 2021, subject to change; 9.30am-4.30pm Carrs Lane Conference Centre, The Church at Carrs Lane, Carrs Lane, Birmingham B4 7SX Tickets: £15; closing date for applications early 2021 (exact date to be confirmed) TGHQ contact: Rhiannon Batsford Continuing our work to raise awareness of issues faced by unpaid carers, TG is hosting a conference bringing together an expert panel of those who work to support carers of all ages. We will also be launching the report of research, including the survey in Issue 1 2020 of Townswoman, which you can still complete at www.the-tg.com/ campaign/caringfor-carers/32.

AGM 2021 Wednesday 16 June 2021 8am Doors open 10am Meeting starts 4.30pm (approx) meeting closes Scarborough Spa, South Bay, Scarborough YO11 2HD Tickets: Delegate and Banner Carrier tickets are complimentary; Observer ticket price to be confirmed. For more on the application process, see future issues of Townswoman. TGHQ contact: Kelli Jones Despite having to cancel the 2020 AGM, we will be meeting in beautiful Scarborough for next year’s – and for a better-than-ever celebration of our wonderful organisation.

HOW TO APPLY FOR TG EVENTS • Paying by cheque? • For all events apart from the All events – Please make it out to AGM, the easiest option except the ‘Townswomen’s Guilds’. is to visit www.the-tg. AGM – are op en • Please provide your com/shop and apply for to non-mem be bank name, account your tickets online. (carol services rs case-by-case on a number and sort code in • Otherwise, use the new basis). So bring a case a refund is required. Ticket Application Form, friend! which you can download NB: tickets cannot be from the Members’ Area of reserved without payment. the website (www.the-tg.com).

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Zooming ahead

For more on getting started on Zoom, turn to page 9

Continued restrictions have put our national events on hold, but we’ve turned to technology for virtual get-togethers. Two members of Cheltenham Pittville Guild explain

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MIDSUMMER’S DAY AFTERNOON TEA PARTY

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n 24 June everyone was invited to celebrate Midsummer’s Day. National Trustee Beryl Hales asked for help providing entertainment, with us members bringing our own tea and cake – and perhaps wearing a hat – to enjoy a wonderful afternoon of fun.

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Beryl Hales produced a wonderful quiz on the theme of summer

Penny Ryan started proceedings with one of three readings from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Karen Moore – who used the TG tea towel design as her background – provided words and music to ‘Summer Holiday’ and ‘Here Comes the Sun’. As well as working hard to organise this event, Beryl produced a wonderful quiz on the theme of summer. She also showed us how to craft felt strawberries (the instructions are at www.the-tg. com/NewCrafts). Jean Watkins gave a rendition of a Pam Ayres poem and Janice Collins read some poems too. Maureen Brown said she didn’t know poetry but was a good ‘chatter’, so she told us about her childhood and special teas on Sundays.

Chris Hyett (top row, centre) complete with summer hat and tea cup

Sara Trayers, TG’s Recruitment Officer, encouraged us to use the TG website to book Guild meetings on Zoom. Beryl also organises weekly quizzes, which we love, and special events that everyone is welcome to join. Watch out for Silent Fireworks and Christmas Carols! By Chris Hyett

CLIENT

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY This year will be one that we will never forget. Life feels as if it has changed forever – however, personally I feel it’s a year of kindling old friendships and making new ones. I was invited by fellow Guild member Chris Hyett to join a Zoom meeting on 30 July for International Friendship Day, organised by Beryl Hales. The afternoon kicked off with Beryl telling us about people through history who became loyal and reliable friends. I was amazed to learn how a friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald helped boost Ella’s career. Penny Ryan read two poems, one by Victoria Wood and the other, ‘Stately as a Galleon’, by Joyce Grenfell. And Chris told us of a recent book she had read – The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, based on a true story, which sounded a great read.

Marcia Bodenham (middle row, third from left) celebrating TG companionship

I feel this is a year of kindling old friendships and making new ones Karen Moore sang three lovely songs about friendship: ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ by Carole King, ‘We Are Family’ by Sister Sledge and ‘Count on Me’ by Bruno Mars. Marilyn Lawton spoke about messages of support from friends around the world after her messenger account was hacked.

Pam Johnson made me smile, saying how when she started school, she wanted a girl with nice hair to be her friend. They are still best friends 70 years on! Sara Trayers spoke about her fourlegged friend, and we enjoyed listening to ‘A Four-legged Friend’ by Roy Rogers. I sang along despite my grandchildren telling me I can’t sing. Thankfully, I could be muted on Zoom! True friendship is good for the heart and soul. I joined Cheltenham Pittville Guild in 1972 aged 19, and I have made many lasting friendships over those years. It is sad we are not able to meet properly at present, but we are contacting members by phone to have a catch-up to find out how they are. I strongly appeal to all Townswomen, if they have the opportunity, to link up via Zoom and join a group of likeminded members. It’s the new way of learning and making new friends. By Marcia Bodenham

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EVENTS ROUND-UP BULLETIN

BULLETIN RECRUITMENT VERSION

TSG is good for you

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National Vice Chair Beryl Hales explains how we are working to welcome students to the TG family

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as any other Guild, but are tailored to the needs of those 16 years of age and older who are in higher or further education. Because of Covid-19, things will be very different for students when they start this new academic year. Not only will the teaching of their courses and ways of working be different, but so will socialising. Some

students may find this overwhelming, particularly if they are living away from home. Friendship will be important to help them to deal with the changes, and TSG is a good way of making new friends. As you will know, friends help to make life interesting and enjoyable, as well as being important to long-lasting wellbeing.

Jackie Ward www.treehuggery.co.uk

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e are encouraging TSG (Townswomenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Guild) members to meet via the secure i-Guild area of our website when term starts this autumn. This way, they can meet other students in their own area and throughout the UK, which will get around any difficulties with meeting physically. TSGs provide the same support, encouragement and social opportunity

Recruitment, 1 The thrilling Kingda Ka roller-coaster

’Tis the season to promote TG Christmas brings a chance to tell others about your Guild. Here are some who did just that last year… Below: High Lane (E) Guild entered their local Christmas tree festival with a tree decorated with ‘90s’ for TG’s 90th anniversary

TSGs are tailored to those aged 16-plus who are in higher or further education We are offering a programme to help them look at various ways in which they can make a difference to the wellbeing of their friends, other students and the wider community through TSG. The World Health Organization includes participation in the community and volunteering as being of benefit to both mental and physical health. It looks good on a CV, too. And of course, we still want them to have fun and be adventurous! They could have a competition to decorate a cake so that it looks like an object such as a giant sushi roll. Or they could use the internet to go on the highest (Kingda Ka) or fastest (Formula Rossa) roller-coaster, climb The O2 arena in London, or walk Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Utah. If you like the idea of younger women getting to know about TG and being able to join our TG family, please share this information and let them know that they can find out more at www.the-tg.com or by contacting our National Recruitment Officer, Sara Trayers (sara@the-tg.com).

Below: Wordsley Guild chose TG colours for their tree festival, and also displayed cards of upcoming Guild activities

Above: Farnham (A) (A) Above: Farnham Guild hand-knitted over 250 poppies for their tree-festival entry – remembering lost loved ones and promoting TG through the colours red and green Right: Southampton Central (M) Guild gave gifts to Jean’s House, a ‘home from home’ for families while their children receive cancer treatment – promoting TG by showing our ethos Below: St Keyna (M) Guild’s Chairman, Linda Shipp, decorated a TG tree for the Keynsham Tree Festival

Above: Lincoln Minster Guild created a wreath for the Advent Wreath Festival at St Mary Magdalene’s Church Left: Perton Jubilee Guild created a TG-themed tableau for their local crib festival

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Mailbag

For the next issue, email letters to mailbag@ the-tg.com or post to TGHQ by 13 November – email may be preferable due to Covid-19

Email mailbag@the-tg.com or write to Mailbag at Townswomen’s Guilds, Gee Business Centre, First Floor, Gee House, Holborn Hill, Birmingham B7 5JR SUBS

STAR LET TER

NEVER FORGET

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Please note: letters may be edited or omitted, and may be published on www.the-tg.com as well as in Townswoman. The views expressed in Mailbag are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Townswomen’s Guilds or the publisher

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This year, the early May bank holiday was moved to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the end of World War II. But back in 1945, thousands of men fought and died in the Far East for three more months. They called themselves the Forgotten Army. Over the years, the anniversary of VJ Day has been largely overlooked. The only time there was a VJ Day celebration was in 1995. By then my father – a Royal Engineer stationed in Singapore when it fell in February 1942, and who remained a prisoner of war until August 1945 – had been dead for 10 years, dying prematurely like many others because of what he went through. The Far Eastern Prisoner of War Association gave my family tickets and we were touched to

see The Duke of Edinburgh marching with the Burma Star Association. It wasn’t until 2004 that relatives could access the liberation questionnaires completed by POWs and filed away for 60 years. We knew my father had worked on the BurmaThai railway but it wasn’t until visiting the National Archives in Kew to see his questionnaire that we discovered which camps he had been at. We learnt he had been part of ‘D’ force, which consisted of 2,220 Australian and 2,780 British soldiers. He was at Hellfire Pass, digging in rocks with hand tools, and at the ‘Pack of Cards’ bridge, which collapsed three times during construction.

STAR LETTER PRIZE Maureen wins a bundle from the SongBird Survival Shop, including a Wrendale Robin Scarf, Fikkerts Hand Wash and Lotion Set, and a SongBird Survival Mug. SongBird Survival is the only UK charity dedicated to halting the 50% decline in our songbirds over the past 50 years – of utmost importance considering that four out of five Brits claim listening to birdsong makes them happier, and 72% of Brits say birdsong makes them less stressed! For more details or to donate,

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please telephone 01379 641715, go to www.songbird-survival. org.uk or email dawn-chorus@ songbird-survival.org.uk.

He rarely spoke about his time as a POW, trying to forget about what happened – 25% of these prisoners died or were killed, compared to 4% of those held by the Germans. But when people sympathised with my father, he insisted, ‘I was one of the lucky ones: I came home.’ Maureen Stagg, Selsdon (A) Guild

THREE OF A KIND I had to smile when I read in the last Townswoman the reference to Be-Ro cookery books. I have a copy of the 37th edition, given to me by my mother almost 40 years ago. During lockdown, I delivered a surprise to each Guild member. One month it was banana tea bread from a Be-Ro recipe! Days later I started a book in which the main character ‘kept Nanna’s battered old Be-Ro recipe book stashed in her bedroom…’ That was three mentions in as many weeks! I wonder if any members have a copy older than the 37th edition? Gillian Davis, Perton Jubilee Guild

Mailbag, 1

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

ON THE RIGHT PAGE I read with interest last issue’s article about setting up a book group. My Guild has had a successful Book Club for over two years. We have 10 members and meet once a month at my home. We are members of our local library, which allocates the books for 10 months of the year. For the other two, we do something different – such as all reading then reviewing different books or talking about our favourite writer. Being part of the Library Readers Groups means we get invited to library events and have built up a good relationship whereby we get to advertise Guild events and hold exhibitions for recruitment.

KNICKERS TO LOCKDOWN During a ring-around to check on members’ wellbeing, I asked one, Patsy, what she was doing to keep herself occupied during lockdown. ‘Clearing out my knicker drawer and counting them,’ she replied. ‘I have 37 pairs.’ This led to a mini survey among members. Angelique said she has 15 pairs, one for each day of a fortnight’s holiday, and a spare pair ‘just in case’. Prue said she has two knicker drawers, one for the comfortable pairs that fit her current contours and another for the smaller, frillier ones for when she

We only ublish ace to p sp ve ha letters. r u yo l of a handfu ve something ha So if you out your Guild, ab e to share uild pag n your G or your post it o te G websi page, on the T cebook Guild Fa local r u yo t and le unity r comm paper o w. o n k te websi

In April, Chepstow Jubilee Guild’s Nerys Wilson created a Facebook group, which now has 176 members. Nerys named her group ‘Happy Recipes to Share’ and everyone has enjoyed sharing recipes and adding comments. Nerys, a retired domestic science teacher, has also posted nutritional tips along with mini polls and quizzes. Anne Rees, Chepstow Jubilee Guild

The group provides another arm to TG friendship and I would strongly recommend setting up a Book Club. Barbara Micklethwaite MBE, Royton (E) Guild

loses weight. However, she has no idea whether the second drawer will still open, and she is unlikely to find out any time soon. Meanwhile, Yvette decided to make much-needed PPE and appealed for unwanted knicker elastic for face masks. She was astonished to find that Marjorie’s donation (there is rather a lot of Marjorie) was sufficient to produce 10 masks. The survey has given members many chuckles, with one suggesting we set it to music – ‘Air on a G String’ of course. (Names have been changed to protect the embarrassed and offended.) Pat Griffin, Hollyfield Guild

TIME FOR TiG

When lockdown arrived we heard people talking about Zoom meetings – but that was new technology and not for us, we thought. Surely the lockdown was only temporary and we’d be meeting again soon? But the pandemic continued, and we were confined to our homes. Zoom involved downloading an app and this felt far too technical, so we thought we’d wait for the pandemic to be over. But weeks turned into months and then TG came to our rescue with TiG – Townswomen Internet Guild – meetings. We simply had to access the TG website, click on the image for the TiG meeting and request to join a future one. On the day, TG sent an email with a link to the meeting. We started off with a monthly TiG meeting but, having seen the advantages, we have now booked weekly meetings and have plans for a TiG Knit and Natter Group and maybe a TiG Book Club. If lockdown tightens up, we are prepared! Stella Tratt, Knowle Guild For help with TiG and Zoom, see Get Surfing on page 9.

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Townswomen together

For th e nex t issue email , pictur conta ct@th es to e-tg.c or pos t to TG om, H by 13 Novem Q, ber

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This issue, as well as our usual photo round-up, we look in depth at two Guilds who have taken action in their communities. Why not try something similar?

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TOGETHER AGAIN Three Spires (A) Guild had a picnic in the local park as their first post-lockdown meeting – with socially distanced seating of course.

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STONE THE CROWS Dot Aulton of Great Wyrley Guild entered the local scarecrow competition to promote TG.

GRABBING THE MOMENT Five ingenious Stamford Exeter Guild committee members used a ‘grabber’ to make sure they followed social distancing when presenting a surprised but thrilled Freda Elliott with her 40-year membership badge and certificate.

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CREATURE COMFORTS When lockdown eased, a representative from Avon Fire and Rescue collected the trauma teddies – which reassure distressed children – knitted by Knowle Guild.

Guilds & Feds, 1 BUS SHELTER SEATS CAMPAIGN Kidlington is said to be the second-largest village in the country and we probably have one of the best bus services in Oxfordshire, which covers all the major hospitals in Oxford. Kidlington also has a high percentage of older people, who use the hospital service quite frequently.

However, the one thing lacking was seats or benches in the bus shelters. This came to the notice of our Guild member Marion Robertson when she went to catch the bus only to find that she had just missed it. It was a long wait for the next one and standing wasn’t easy for someone not so young and with a back problem.

Marion decided to approach our parish council to ask whether they could do anything about it. The council was quite sympathetic but it takes time to get the appropriate department to take action. During a spell of nonaction, Marion happened to mention her mission at our Guild meeting, so we as a

body added our support to the problem. Now, after two years or more, her mission has been successful and we now have benches in the bus shelters throughout the village. We have to thank Marion’s perseverance and we are very proud of her.

Jenny Higgins, Kidlington Guild

SHARE YOUR SNAPS

TEAM MEETING Wollaston Guild’s bowlers got back to business after lockdown.

We have space to publish only about 15% of the pictures we receive, but we post as many as we can on www.the-tg.com. We also suggest that you put your pictures and activity reports on your Guild page on the TG website, and share them with the local press.

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LOCKDOWN ACTIVITIES AND RECOVERY PLAN During Covid we supported our members and community by getting busy and getting stuck in! Meetings were held weekly on Zoom, helping tremendously as a third of members were isolating alone. These meetings were open to all, gaining two new members. Later

we held socially distanced garden meetings under strict conditions. Meeting in person was a great boost. We did a big shop of critical items for Rugeley Foodbank and collected and delivered dog food to families struggling to feed their pets. Members also volunteered to pick up groceries and medicines and make telephone calls to vulnerable

people isolating, as well as sewing scrubs bags and sets of scrubs. When Vice Chair Debra Coburn’s daughter, Lara, had to cancel her wedding, we rallied together on the day to commemorate the wedding that would have been. A local photographer took ‘doortraits’ of the happy couple and family, member Jane Stevenson made a beautiful

cake, and I hosted a virtual hen party on Zoom. Our latest outing was a socially distanced community litter pick. September onward we are recruiting ladies in business, young female students and entrepreneurs. As a Guild, Rugeley is new and small, but we’re making our mark!

Jane Pallister, Chairman, Rugeley and District Guild

CHEERS! Several Sedgley (E) Guild members raised a glass during a socially distanced garden get-together. HOME TRUTHS With 39 others, Janet Tublin of Rickmansworth (E) Guild took part in the ASCEND charity’s Isolation Blanket Project to record people’s thoughts during lockdown. Janet’s words will ring true with many members!

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Guilds & Feds, 2 TAKE A SEAT Members of Willow Brook Guild took their chairs with them to enjoy a catch-up in the great outdoors.

SQUARE ONE Gail Henson of Mountsorrel Guild (which is 75 this year) knitted this square representing what TG means to her. Gail’s square, plus 48 others, will be used to make a wall hanging, raising money for charity through donations.

BEAR NECESSITIES Southampton children’s services got in touch to say how the PPE-wearing bears knitted by Townswomen in Bournemouth – see Silver Linings in the last issue – are making vulnerable children more comfortable with personal protective equipment.

Because of the number of pictures received, only a selection will be published and we are unable to reply to submissions

BRIGHT IDEA Having used most of a TG tea towel to make the front pocket of a bag, Karen Moore – TG’s website and social media adviser – used the rest to make a TG face mask.

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In Our Hands

n 2019, the news was full of stories about the climate emergency. Understandably, the focus in 2020 has been on the Covid-19 pandemic, and the climate emergency has taken a back seat. But during lockdown, we also began to realise just how important our environment is. Whether noticing emerging wildlife in rural areas or appreciating the street trees on daily walks in cities (especially 24 THE-TG.COMâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; ISSUE 04 2020

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for those without gardens), it became clear how fundamental green space is for our wellbeing. Once we start to recover from Covid-19, the resulting health and economic problems will provide a chance to tackle the climate crisis, and an opportunity to create a greener and fairer world. Each of us can make a difference, both in the individual choices we make and in how we influence the

decisions of local and national Government. Which is why we have called the campaign In Our Hands. TG has acted to tackle climate change in the past â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for example, by working with the Woodland Trust to plant six woodlands around Britain in the 1990s. We were also involved in the protest against fracking, which resulted in a moratorium on fracking being announced by the Government in

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We need to act now to protect our planet, so TG is taking a stand with this brand-new campaign. By National Trustee Maureen Brown

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It is important to realise that to solve the problem we will all have to make changes November 2019. Once again, we are needed to encourage politicians to put the welfare of the people and planet at the heart of their policies. IN THIS TOGETHER

Another thing that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted is how interconnected we are with the rest of the world. We know that if we are to contain the virus, we must all work together – and the same is true of the climate emergency. It’s an uncomfortable fact that the effects of climate change are felt more keenly in underdeveloped countries. As an Oxfam report, Extreme Carbon Inequality, pointed out in 2015: ‘The poorest half of the world’s population – 3.5 billion people – is responsible for just 10% of carbon emissions, despite being the most threatened by the catastrophic storms, droughts and other severe weather shocks linked to climate change.’ It went on to say that ‘the world’s richest 10% produce around half of all emissions’. If we are to see a greener and fairer world, the Governments of the developed world will need to fund international aid targeted at less developed nations to help them find solutions that will not make global warming worse. MAKING A DIFFERENCE

As one of the world’s developed nations, we also have a responsibility to take a lead and reduce our own

USEFUL RESOURCES BOOKS Climate Justice: A Man-Made Problem with a Feminist Solution by Mary Robinson with Caitriona Palmer (Bloomsbury, £9.99) There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years by Mike Berners-Lee (Cambridge University Press, £9.99)

WEBSITES • https://friendsoftheearth.uk • www.1millionwomen.com.au • www.woodlandtrust.org.uk • www.nationalforest.org • www.greenpeace.org.uk • www.extinctionrebellion.uk/ the-truth/the-emergency

The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac (Manilla Press, £12.99)

emissions. And TG must play its part find out if there is a litter-picking group by campaigning at local and national in our area and going along with some level to get climate action at the top TG friends to help out. of the political agenda – for instance, And those who live in urban areas can by lobbying the Government to do all encourage their council to increase the it can to keep fossil fuels in the ground amount and quality of its green spaces (despite pressure from multinational and wildlife corridors, benefiting both fuel companies) and encourage the people and nature. development and implementation of alternative technologies. EVERY LITTLE HELPS Every Townswoman has a part to play The positive thing about individual as an individual too. For example, one contributions to tackling climate way we can all help to keep this issue change is that we can make at the top of the Government’s a difference. In fact, it is priority list is by contacting our important to realise that A special MP and telling him or her our to solve the problem we will edition of the TIC newsletter about concerns about permission all have to make changes. In Our Hands for new mines or oil fields. Small changes can make will be sent to all As individual women, we a difference and they all ers memb can also use our spending add up, but we should try in January power to make the right choices to avoid an all or nothing for the planet, especially as we are approach. If you have ever tried often responsible for making decisions to start a diet, you will know that over household as well as personal starting too strictly often leads to it purchases. With food shopping, for being too difficult and you give up. example, picking local – preferably If you make a few changes to your organic – suppliers can make a lifestyle, and let yourself and your difference to both the environment family get used to them before taking and the local economy. Plus, it is the next step, you will have a better estimated that in the UK almost £70 chance of lasting success. of food per household is thrown However, playing your part as an away every month. Something as individual doesn’t mean having to simple as checking go it alone. In the next three issues your fridge before you of Townswoman, we will be looking shop and planning at ways in which tackling specific meals with leftovers environmental needs will make a can cut this waste. positive change and how we can all Another simple maximise our efforts to ensure that we way to improve are doing the best we can for the planet’s our local future, as well as how to encourage environment is to action on local and national levels. ISSUE 04 2020 THE-TG.COM 25

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TG grew out of the fight for equality – and we must stand up for equality today. By Rhiannon Batsford

TAKING THE PRESS TO TASK

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e would be lying if we said we weren’t a little disappointed with some of the letters and emails received in response to TG’s involvement with the antiracism movement. Using the phrase ‘black lives matter’ may have caused some consternation about whether we were formally aligning with another organisation – however, that was never the case, and our latest newsletter should have cleared up any misunderstanding. More importantly, the feedback demonstrated clear examples of the unconscious, systemic racism in our society that continues to place people of colour at a disadvantage. And we as an organisation would not be upholding our commitment to anti-racism if we did not address this.

If you have a social studies group or similar, the following could make for an interesting meeting. Ask everyone to buy a different newspaper on the same day and find a story each one reports on. Discuss how each paper presents that story and pick out the differences. Then consider how those differences might affect understanding of the story for someone reading only one paper’s account. No social studies group? Buy a newspaper you don’t normally read and see how it compares to your usual. Prefer not to buy an extra paper? Ask a friend, family member or neighbour if you can read theirs once they’re done. You could pair up with another member and discuss the differences in reports over the phone or on Zoom. The thing to keep in mind is that there’s usually more to a story than a single news source might suggest. See www.wikihow. com/Recognize-Bias- in-a-NewspaperArticle for what to look out for. TAKE ACTION

Shouting may be the only way to get your voice heard

Many pointed to the protests as a reason not to get involved. This is problematic on two counts. PRESSING THE POINT

First, it is an example of ‘tone policing’: the expectation that an argument must be presented in a level-headed and reasonable way if it is to be taken seriously. What this often disregards is that louder protest is the natural consequence of previous reasonable protest being ignored. Just as women did not get the vote by asking nicely, we must acknowledge that

SUCCESS! X♣ ‫א‬ᒆᒇ‫¡ ًד‬J ➡◗✙✒ ❦✙❦☛✙➙➡ ɯ✼✙➯✼✙➙ In 2015, TG asked members whether restrictions should be placed on the ➙✙➡➯➙❂☞➯❂⑧♣➡ ➡✼⑧➸❛✒ ☛✙ ↔❛☞✙✒ ⑧♣ ➯✼✙ sale of laxatives. Those who responded ➡❛✙ ⑧✳ ❛ ➯❂ɮ✙➡ِ ¡✼⑧➡✙ ɯ✼⑧ ➙✙➡↔⑧♣✒✙✒ agreed that they should. In August this year, restrictions on laxative sales were announced: the amount of pills per packet has been reduced and only those aged 18 or over can buy them. This is great news, but those who are desperate will try looking online. Encourage your Guild to research the harm that can come from medication bought online – and ask friends and family to as well.

the struggles faced by people of colour have been brushed aside for too long, and that shouting about one’s needs is justified if that is what it takes for people to listen. MEDIA BIAS

The second issue is that most people’s information about the protests has been filtered through the news media. Most traditional media is delivered in a manner that fits the biases and agenda of a particular publication or broadcaster. This is most apparent before an election, but happens on some level every day. Video footage and reports by those who were actually there show that demonstrations were generally peaceful and disciplined, with appropriate regard for the pandemic restrictions. Violence appears to have been generated by small groups with a different agenda, including members of far-right groups. This doesn’t excuse wrongs committed by individual protesters but gives a perspective other sources may not have given.

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Keeping an open mind

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Remarkable Women, 1

REMARKABLE WOMEN LIVING

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Trustee Beryl Hales on the founder of the RSPB

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ats in the mid-1800s became much larger. The favourite way to decorate them was to add bird feathers, wings and even whole birds, whose bodies were stuffed and wired into ‘natural’ positions. This look became so popular that feathers were also used to decorate accessories such as fans, muffs, parasols, earrings, bodices and boas. Tiny hummingbird feathers were particularly sought after for jewellery and a favourite of Alexandra, The Princess of Wales. The skin and fine, soft breast feathers of smaller birds was used as a substitute for fur. There was not a large enough supply of feathers from native birds, and to meet the call for ever more colourful and exotic plumes, imports grew. Supplying birds and feathers became very lucrative and jobs were created. These ranged from opening ostrich farms to home businesses advertising services to clean ostrich feathers. The number of feathers used was staggering. London became the world’s leading feather market, and sales catalogues included peacocks, parrots, woodpeckers, ibis, egrets and hummingbirds. From 1901-1910, 14,362,000 pounds of exotic feathers were imported into the UK. Unease at the reduction and destruction of species began to be voiced, but they were met by assertions that bird population numbers would not be dented as they were an abundant and natural resource, and that to stop the trade would put people out of jobs. Then, in 1889, Emily Williamson asked her friends to join her in her Manchester home to sign a pledge to not wear feathers. She was concerned with the cruelty involved in the feather trade as well as the harm to bird species. She went on to form a group called the Plumage

Emily asked her friends to sign a pledge to not wear feathers

League, which campaigned against the use of great crested grebe and kittiwake skins and feathers in fur clothing. The name was changed to the Society for the Protection of Birds with Emily as honorary secretary. It amalgamated with the ‘Fur, Fin and Feather Folk’, set up in the same year by Eliza Phillips in her home in Croydon. Eliza went on to become head of publications. Their first leaflet was aimed at wealthy women and entitled The Osprey, or Egrets and Aigrettes. Leaflet no 1 = Destruction of Ornamental Plumaged Birds. They attracted Winifred CavendishBentinck, Duchess of Portland, who became the first president of the group that later became the RSPB. Membership cost two old pence and there were two rules – ‘that members shall discourage

the wanton destruction of birds and interest themselves generally in their protection’ and ‘that lady-members shall refrain from wearing the feathers of any bird not killed for purposes of food, the ostrich only excepted’. Incorporated by Royal Charter in 1904, the RSPB continued to flourish. In 1908, it saw a bill introduced to parliament prohibiting the import of birds and feathers, although by the time it was passed in 1921, it was no longer really needed as fashion shifted towards favouring smaller hats. Despite how well known the RSPB is today, Emily had become largely forgotten. This was rectified in June 2019 when a plaque was unveiled at the home where she first started the organisation 130 years before. Her great-great niece was the ribbon-cutter at the unveiling ceremony.

RSPB (rspb-images.com)

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Emily Williamson

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LIVING SMALL BUSINESS BRITAIN VERSION REPRO OP

Open for business

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Do you or your family ru na small busine ss? Let us know how things have been for you.

It’s been a tough time for small businesses, but one thing’s for sure – the British entrepreneurial spirit is here to stay. By Jane Yettram

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t is often said that Britain is a However, for many female nation of shopkeepers,’ says entrepreneurs, growing to a £1m Michelle Ovens MBE, founder turnover is neither their aim nor of Small Business Britain, how they define success. Instead, the UK’s small business what spurs them on is the ability to champion. ‘But the reality is that we determine their own working lives and are a nation powered by all kinds of to do something they are passionate small businesses. From the high street about. ‘Many women are creating to online, hair salons to accountants, businesses to allow them to have time digital marketers to market halls, we with their family, as well as succeed as have a thriving entrepreneurial culture.’ an entrepreneur,’ says Michelle. An incredible 99.3% of all UK businesses are officially small THE KEY TO SURVIVAL businesses, with fewer than 50 Support is key to helping employees. And the majority any business thrive – and are microbusinesses, employing women supporting women fewer than 10 people. can be the best route to ‘Small businesses are our success on their own terms. community heroes, keeping ‘To be able to take guidance Michelle Ovens local economies moving and from those who have trodden local people connected,’ says the path before is invaluable,’ Michelle. ‘There is a real appreciation says Michelle. ‘Women are building for small business in the UK and this businesses based on their own rules has never been truer than now. New and using those rules to open doors research we did in July with BT Skills for for other women too.’ Tomorrow found that two-thirds of UK Of course, all small businesses are small businesses believe the pandemic facing tough times now. ‘But confidence has increased support and awareness is creeping back up since the dark days for them.’ of the start of lockdown,’ says Michelle, Another Small Business Britain who also stresses that businesses rose survey, conducted just before the to the Covid challenge in innovative pandemic, revealed that in the past ways. ‘Forty-five per cent developed decade women had started ‘a tidal wave of new businesses’. Even so, last year’s Alison Rose Review of Small businesses Female Entrepreneurship showed that are our community just a third of UK entrepreneurs are female and that men are five times heroes, keeping local more likely to grow their business to a £1m turnover. economies moving

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new products and services, such as takeaways, virtual consultations, click and collect, and deliveries.’ Many also embraced the digital world for the first time, by selling online or using contactless payments. ‘We saw so many small businesses finding digital solutions and thinking innovatively about how they could change their operations to still serve their customers and engage new ones,’ says Michelle. ‘To continue to survive and thrive, small businesses need to keep thinking this way. After all, business means being open to the world around us continually changing.’ THE SMALL AWARDS

Small Business Britain’s annual Small Awards celebrate the entrepreneurs who are the cornerstone of our economy. Here and overleaf, we introduce you to three of this year’s winners.

Habiba Chowdhury, 37, bagged the sole trader accolade. Her business is cookery school My Curry Club.

Through her cookery school, Habiba (left) is teaching people how to cook authentic Bangladeshi food

It was a chat over dinner with her husband Shajal that led Habiba to set up her cookery school. ‘I was saying it’s such a shame people are missing out on the real flavours of curry even though it’s considered a national dish in Britain,’ says Habiba, who is originally from London but moved to Cheshire when she married Shajal in 2014. Most restaurants churn out the same standard dishes they’ve been offering since the 1970s, such as tikka masala, madras and vindaloo. ‘They’re all bulk made so you get the same sauce just with different flavours,’ explains Habiba. ‘And bulk cooking needs more oil so it can be greasy. Real Indian home cooking comes down to technique, knowledge and instinct, maximising the flavours of every single ingredient. You can’t learn about it from a video or a cookbook. You need someone to show you, like my mother showed me.’ After her chat with Shajal, Habiba – who’d worked in international sales for 16 years – Cooking with confidence – My Curry Club participants

didn’t hang about. ‘I quit my job the following day, bought some kit and started advertising on Facebook.’ Initially, she travelled to people’s houses to teach them how to cook her authentic Bangladeshi food. Two years later she found the ideal premises for a school and started workshops and classes. ‘I try to build people’s confidence and inspire them to go home and play with the spices rather than blindly follow a recipe. Plus I relate food to love and family, so bringing that culture to others is part of my teaching too.’ SPICING IT UP Habiba also branched out into selling spices. ‘The ones from supermarkets don’t taste the same as authentic Indian ones – you don’t get the proper kick from the chilli or the proper nuttiness from the cumin.’ Of course, lockdown temporarily closed Habiba’s cookery school. ‘But I did Zoom classes. And I knew my business would survive because lockdown made people realise just how important cooking skills are.’ When Habiba reopened in July, she kept classes to one or two clients at a time for social distancing. ‘That’s had an effect financially, but the good thing is people are talking about My Curry Club again and small businesses rely on engagement on social media for bookings.’ By the time you read this Habiba will no longer be working alone. ‘I now have a social media intern who hopefully will become full time, targeting a younger audience. And I have a PA starting soon as well as another chef specialising in vegan and vegetarian Indian cookery. I want to offer opportunities to women within the Indian food industry.’

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Leanne (front centre) has now won another accolade – Best Start-Up in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards (Scotland and NI)

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NEW KID ON THE BLOCK AWARD Leanne Farmer, 46, came top in the best start-up category, with her sustainable cycle-tour business A Wee Pedal, launched in April 2019.

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It was the experience of her son Jack that inspired Leanne to set up her business. ‘We used to go on family cycling holidays, but at the age of seven, when we were living in Hong Kong, Jack was diagnosed with a rare hip condition called Perthes’ disease, in which the top of the femur dies away.’ Most children recover, but this takes about two years, during which time Jack would be in a wheelchair. ‘We’re a sporty family, so I searched out a hand cycle and we kept cycling,’ says Leanne. After 18 months, to give Jack more opportunities for adaptive cycling or disabled sports, the family returned to their home city of Edinburgh. ‘Six months later Jack had the final X-ray – and his hip had regrown!’ But Jack’s experience ignited a spark. ‘I wanted to give something back to cycling, and do something that made others happy.’ Leanne volunteered for a disability cycling group, and realised there was a gap in the market for cycle tours for families and tourists. ‘I loved volunteering so much, I wanted to do it full time.’ So A Wee Pedal was born. Leanne is a sole trader, but husband Richard is a valued support. ‘He cycled all over

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Edinburgh with me to find safe, traffic-free routes taking in historic sites and beautiful scenery.’ Contacts have been crucial for Leanne’s business too. ‘Being shortlisted for an award by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce gave me contacts in the tourism and corporate worlds. As a woman in business, the more contacts

For businesses, a high social media presence is crucial you have the better. It’s not about competition – it’s about supporting and learning from each other.’ SPECIAL CONNECTIONS In February, a chance meeting led to a great partnership. ‘I was trying different-sized bikes in the Decathlon sports store and the manager asked who the bike was for, so I said I run cycle tours. His face lit up because they wanted to partner with a cycle-tour company!’ Leanne got five new bikes at a reduced price, plus panniers emblazoned with Decathlon and A Wee Pedal. ‘I simply use the bikes, photograph

them and tag Decathlon in social media posts. The biggest thing I’ve learned is the power of social media. All my tours go on Instagram. For businesses, a high social media presence is crucial.’ Initially, Leanne’s clients were tourists. ‘When lockdown came and my diary emptied, I loaned bikes to key workers or serviced their bikes for free. My reputation spread by word of mouth.’ That reputation, plus winning the Small Award, helped Leanne break into the local market after lockdown. ‘I became busy with Edinburgh families wanting staycation activities, and some tourists returned too.’ Winning the award reassured Leanne that her approach is right. ‘I don’t want to just be a company that makes money,’ she says. ‘I store my bikes at a social enterprise organisation. Many of its users are from deprived areas, so I give free under-fives cycle lessons and rides to families. The community is absolutely at the heart of my business ethos.’

HIGH STREET HERO AWARD Nicola Buckley, 40, took the best high-street business prize for Florence & Amelia’s, a vintage-inspired home and gift shop that has expanded to include a café and wine bar.

Six years ago Nicola was fed up with working long hours in a law firm. ‘I drove past a shop to let in my home town of Stalybridge and thought, “I could really do something with that”.’ She applied for a small startup loan, handed in her notice and opened her doors in October 2014. Florence & Amelia’s, named after Nicola’s grandmothers, started out specialising in upcycled furniture and other homewares before adding the coffee shop and wine bar last October. And Nicola enjoys every part of her varied business. ‘I love being creative, so doing window displays and painting furniture are my favourite things. But I also love interacting with customers, who say they really like the ambience we’ve created and our attention to detail – like the stash of nappies and wipes in our customer toilet for emergencies.’ A PERSONAL TOUCH Since starting out, Nicola has thrown herself into learning all the skills a businesswoman needs – accounting, interviewing and training staff, following health and safety regulations… And she’s also become a mean barista. ‘During the day, I jump from serving coffees and cleaning tables to painting furniture and preparing budgets,’ she says. Her family lend a hand too. ‘My son Noah, 14, is a huge help at the shop, as is Jackson, 18, who works as a barista around his education. My husband, Steven, helps out with furniture deliveries, and my mum washes pots when we’re short-staffed.’ Of course, coronavirus has been Nicola’s toughest challenge yet,

Running your own business may be hard but the rewards are amazing

Nicola Buckley Nicola’s shop in Stalybridge

with Florence & Amelia’s having to close just before Mother’s Day. ‘We had back-to-back afternoon teas booked in and hundreds of petits fours had been delivered. We contacted every customer offering a refund or their afternoon tea giftboxed and hand-delivered – 98% were really happy with this, saying we saved Mother’s Day for them.’ Then – working alone after furloughing her six staff members – Nicola started offering afternoon teas, platters and picnic boxes for collection or delivery, including special boxes for VE Day and Father’s Day. This kept cash flow

going until the shop reopened on 4 July. ‘It’s an uphill battle to stay liquid at the moment,’ admits Nicola, ‘but we’re determined to work through it. Running your own business may be hard but the rewards are amazing.’

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A day in the life...

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One hundred years after it was founded, Women’s Pioneer Housing – which, like TG, grew out of the suffrage movement – is still providing safe, secure housing for women. Chief Executive Denise Fowler explains ART

INTERVIEW JANE YETTRAM

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I used to get up at six. Now, working from home, I can get up later but be at my desk earlier. Having no commute is a joy – as is the work I do. Because women’s earnings are lower than men’s, there’s a huge need for secure, affordable, comfortable housing for women. In fact, research has shown that a woman on average earnings can’t afford to rent a flat on her own in any region in England. A man on average earnings can afford every region except London. But housing isn’t just about having a roof over your head. A permanent home gives you opportunities. You can study, you can work, your kids can go to school nearby… Residents see our housing as somewhere they can pursue whatever they want in life. And that’s been true since the beginning. At the end of World War I, with many men lost, 1.75 million so-called ‘surplus women’ were supporting themselves. But the ‘homes fit for heroes’ promised by Lloyd George weren’t intended for women, and landlords preferred to let to men because women were less likely to pay for laundry and cooking. So, having won the vote for women over 30 in 1918, suffrage campaigners led by Etheldred Browning stepped into the breach. And in 1920, Women’s Pioneer Housing (WPH) was born. Seven months later, WPH bought and converted a large west London house into six flats. 32 THE-TG.COM ISSUE 04 2020

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Denise Fowler loves her work

And because the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act had just been passed, some of our first tenants were women who went on to become architects, lawyers, journalists – all the things they’d previously been barred from. For example, one early tenant was the first woman scientist at the Natural History Museum.

8am

I learned as a child the difference a home makes

Residents at Mary Flux Court

I start work in the living room I’ve commandeered as my ‘office’ in our house in Catford. My wife, Helen, works upstairs. I know how lucky we are to have a house, having learned as a child the difference a home makes. When my mum came out of hospital after I was born, she and my dad became homeless. Landlords didn’t want kids – this was the 1960s, before any homelessness legislation – and we ended up in a series of poor-quality flats. When I was six months old, my parents were renting the living room of an old man’s flat, where I was badly burned by scalding water. I spent months in hospital. Meanwhile, my parents found work as petrol-pump attendants. A caravan came with the job so, when I was discharged, I’d be in my pram outside the caravan while they worked. Finally, when I was seven, we got a council house. It transformed our lives. I went to school and made friends knowing they would remain my friends. Given stability and

4pm Gwen Winterson was a Brook House tenant from 1936 to 2001

opportunity, my younger brothers and I worked hard and did well. Now we have completely different lives. That’s because of that house – and that’s why I’m in the housing sector.

8.45am To-do list sorted, I send out some emails. I used to be the Housing Ombudsman, but I love being chief exec of a small organisation because I see the benefit of our work every day. For example, WPH used to ask tenants to do jobs such as changing light bulbs themselves. But some properties have high ceilings and you can’t expect someone in their 80s to climb a stepladder to change a bulb. Bringing in a new repairs policy made an instant difference. Almost 90% of residents are over 40, and many much older having lived here for 40 or 50 years. We have 182 flats in housing schemes for women over 60. Our oldest tenant is 108!

9am Time for a video call with my senior management team. They’re brilliant – the nicest I’ve ever worked with! Two have been with WPH for years – Susan Bernard for 12 and Sue Hockett for 43. Sue describes her initial job as the chief exec’s handbag holder! But by age 27, she was buying struggling hotels for WPH in Notting Hill – a much poorer area then.

11.30am I get stuck into the data from our latest survey. An independent organisation calls 10% of tenants every quarter, so by the year’s end we know 40% of tenants’ views and can track our performance. Tenants’ input is crucial, and our Resident Engagement and Scrutiny Panel (RESP) reviews our policies and helps choose new contractors for gardening and so on. It recently reviewed how we allocate housing, feeling that it was crucial to keep a waiting list for women who couldn’t afford housing in London and also to accept referrals from agencies working with victims of domestic or honour-based violence, as women-only housing is essential for them to feel safe.

1.30pm A quick lunch break – being at home means I can eat in the garden.

2pm I video-call our communications officer, Ina Shuaber. She and I have just finished the annual report. In it, Diane Humphrey, a tenant and chair of RESP, shared her own story, writing about arriving in WPH housing four years ago. She remembers herself as ‘a rather sad, world-weary individual, wondering what challenges I would face’. But, she continues, ‘My flat is light and comfortable with a feeling of space and history – I love it. It proved to

I meet regularly with heads of other housing associations to learn from each other. Now – instead of pre-Covid breakfast meetings – it’s video calls again. WPH has some big developments coming up, to help more women into housing. Our founders would approve. I suspect Etheldred wasn’t the easiest character to get on with, but difficult women make history. She had strong women around her too – such as Ray Strachey, a suffragist close to Millicent Fawcett. Like TG’s founder, Margery Corbett Ashby, Ray is featured on the plinth of Fawcett’s statue in Parliament Square.

6.30pm I shut down my computer and Helen starts on dinner. I cook occasionally but she’s a much better cook than I am.

11pm Bedtime. I settle down with Hilary Mantel’s The Mirror and the Light. For comfort reading, though, it’s Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances. In my strongest feminist days in the 1980s, I’d never have admitted that! In fact, it’s a book – Virginia Woolf ’s A Room of One’s Own broadened to ‘a home of one’s own’ – that defines the WPH ethos: independence and space. Our logo, used since 1924, is of a woman sitting back, feet up, reading her book. We’ve been giving women that independence since 1920. For more about Women’s Pioneer Housing, visit www.womenspioneer.co.uk ISSUE 04 2020 THE-TG.COM 33

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A Day In The Life, 1

be all I needed to find the more positive me. I feel safe and happier than I have for years.’ Diane’s words show the difference WPH makes – and stories unearthed by our history-project volunteers reveal the same positivity. I love the story of Gwen Winterson, a waitress at Gaumont film studios, who adored her flat from the minute she moved in in 1936. Fellow resident Joyce would play music on her gramophone and the women would dance around the corridors.

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As a volunteer for Slow Ways, Wendy Tobitt has discovered new things in her local area

Taking it slow

The Slow Ways project is creating a network of off-road walking routes connecting cities, towns and villages to help improve our environment and our lives. By Caroline Roberts

n the past, walking was the main method of travel for many people, and the vestiges of those church-ways and routes to market trodden by our ancestors still criss-cross our landscape. Even today, Government statistics show that walking accounts for just over a quarter of our trips. But getting from A to B on foot has become more difficult as many of those paths have been turned into roads, or are blocked by buildings and other obstacles. Now, a new project is helping us find our way again. ‘Slow Ways is based on the principle that we should all be able to walk easily 34 THE-TG.COM ISSUE 04 2020

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and as directly as possible between two neighbouring settlements,’ explains the project’s founder, Dan Raven-Ellison. ‘It came about as I’d done a lot of walking around the UK and began to realise that, despite the fact that we have around 200,000km of footpaths, rights of way and permissive paths, it’s all a bit of a mess and no one has brought it all together into one inviting, supportive system that people can use. We want to connect all those routes up again. So, if you want to walk rather than drive or use public transport, there’s an option available. Walking is a healthy, affordable way of

getting around, and it helps cut carbon emissions.’ ON THE RIGHT PATH

The project was launched at a ‘hack day’ in February, when 70 people gathered at the Ordnance Survey’s Innovation Hub in London to share ideas. Dan was due to hold 10 more such days around the country but then Covid hit and plans changed. ‘During lockdown we recruited 700 volunteers and trained them on Zoom in digital mapping using OS and Google Maps. Between us we’ve created 7,500 routes connecting 2,500 towns, cities and large villages.

Walking is a healthy, affordable way of getting around, and it helps cut carbon emissions Collectively, the routes stretch for about 120,000km, which is around 2.5 laps of the equator.’ One of those volunteers was keen walker Wendy Tobitt from Oxfordshire, who was intrigued when she came across the project on Twitter. ‘I’m not a geographer but I’ve always been fascinated by the landscape and how people have lived in it for millennia. We had to learn to identify hazards like boggy ground on the OS maps and I saw very quickly that I would have to learn some new digital mapping skills. But Dan’s enthusiasm is so infectious and he’s a very patient tutor. ‘I assumed I’d do local routes but there were lots of volunteers in my area so I was given Wales, and I ended up mapping routes between places I couldn’t even pronounce. Google Earth was very useful as sometimes you could see the footpath signs using the little yellow man. There were times during lockdown when I was “walking” through Welsh villages in my pyjamas,’ she laughs. The project has given Wendy plenty of inspiration for when we’re allowed to travel the country again. ‘I came across parkland, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and seascapes that I wasn’t aware of before. And I’ve applied some of the Slow Ways concepts to my local walks. I came across this lovely, old church that’s part of a pilgrims’ way. Although I’ve driven along the nearby road many times, I didn’t know the church existed.’ THE NEXT STEP

At the time of writing, Dan was developing a website that will allow you to click on a route, try it out and then provide feedback. ‘We want to find 10,000 volunteers who are up for walking a route this autumn. It can be anything from 5km to 60km. They’ll then report back to us about how accessible it is, whether it’s traffic-free and whether

Slow Ways founder Dan Raven-Ellison Below: Volunteer Lucy Neal helped choose the project’s logo (below)

rights of way to better connect villages and towns. Our ancient paths are important but we need new ones too.’ there might be a better way of linking the settlements.’ Lucy Neal can’t wait to get started on the next phase. The Londoner was one of the volunteers involved in choosing the Slow Ways snail logo from hundreds of entries in a design competition. ‘It’s exciting to think it could soon be appearing on posts, stiles, maps and T-shirts. You’ll look for the snail and know you’re on a Slow Way. ‘In my early teens, we moved to the Blackmore Vale near Shaftsbury and I read all the Thomas Hardy novels. One of the things I loved was that the characters would set off walking and navigate their way across the land by turning left at an oak tree, or following a stream. We’re living in times when everything feels really fragmented and if we can learn to navigate the land again, that feeling of belonging will really come up through our boots.’ But it’s not all about harking back to the past, adds Dan. ‘Where the current route is difficult or dangerous we should be thinking about creating new routes. I’m really interested to see how local and parish councils might look at Slow Ways and think about responding by creating new permissive paths or

BECOME A SLOW WAYS VOLUNTEER

By the time you read this, it may already be possible to go to the Slow Ways website and choose a route to try out. But if it’s still at the development stage, you can sign up to the newsletter at www.ravenellison. com/portfolio/slow-ways to stay up to date with its progress. TAKE ACTION

MAKE A B-LINE It’s not just people who need routes to get from A to B – wildlife does too. To protect bees and other pollinators, we need to make sure they can move easily between food sources. But habitat loss means the wildflower-rich meadows and hedgerows that help them thrive are now few and far between. The charity Buglife is working to establish a network of habitats through its B-Lines project. The aim is to work with farmers, landowners and members of the public to create more wildflower habitats and smaller ‘stepping stones’ between them. Find out more at www.buglife.org.uk/ our-work/b-lines.

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For an eco-thrifty Christmastime

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Christmas can be costly for your budget and the environment. Green guru, blogger and author Zoë Morrison shows you how to save both money and the planet

ART

At Christmastime, the bills and to-do list seem endless. And after the big day is over, you’re left with a mountain of rubbish. But it needn’t be like that. There are many ways to reduce the workload that are good for the environment and your wallet.

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1. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT Avoid buying more food than needed by doing a Christmas meal plan, and freeze any leftovers to use another time. Also, join my Reduce Your Food Waste Facebook community (see below), where you can ask for suggestions if you are stuck on how to use leftovers. 2. GO COLD TURKEY Instead of having a turkey dinner at every event you get invited to, give the vegan or vegetarian option a try. The many alternatives now available in restaurants and supermarkets taste really good. 3. IT’S A WRAP Swap disposable wrapping paper for reusable and upcycled versions, such as bags, boxes, kids’ (or your own!) artwork and even fabric. In Japan, furoshiki, a wrapping cloth, is used in a multitude of ways – search online for suggestions.

4. SEASON’S GREETINGS! Instead of sending cards this year, speak to friends and family and wish them well in person or with a phone call – you could even donate the money you save on cards and postage to charity. Alternatively, look online and send an e-card – some are free and some support different causes. 5. CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN Make an inexpensive and fun advent calendar with some clean socks or small bags pegged on a line and with numbers pinned on them. Fill with a small gift of your choice. 6. BRANCH OUT A Christmas tree doesn’t have to be an actual tree. It could be a large houseplant that you decorate once a year, or a wall hanging or poster you put up for Christmas each year. 7. TREE-CYCLE If you do buy a real tree, make sure that it gets recycled afterwards (most councils offer this service), because in landfill it can give off methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide.

Zoë Morrison writes the award-winning blog www.ecothriftyliving.com about saving money and the environment. She is also the author of the Eco Thrifty Living book. Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ EcoThriftyLiving, or on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram under @ecothrifty. For Zoë’s friendly Facebook group – the Eco Thrifty Kitchen Club, which helps people reduce their food waste – visit www.facebook. com/groups/reduceyourfoodwaste.

8. DON’T GO CRACKERS Say no to disposable Christmas crackers. They may be a bit of fun, but nobody ever wants the prize, you can look up a joke to tell, and if you really want to wear a silly hat, make one! Alternatively, buy or make reusable crackers and stuff them with your own, less wasteful gifts. 9. NO SWEAT-ER Instead of buying a Christmas jumper every year for yourself or the grandkids, get Christmas accessories to reuse each year on your regular jumpers. Or buy a Christmas jumper in a charity shop and wear it every single year as a special tradition. 10. VINTAGE CHIC Don’t buy new clothes for Christmas get-togethers – fast fashion damages the planet through waste, emissions and more. Instead, discover bargains and real treasures in charity shops or on sites like eBay. Alternatively, do a clothes swap with your Guild for a wardrobe refresh.

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Partners in crime

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It’s 100 years since Agatha Christie published her first novel – and crime fiction is still booming…

REVIEW A BOOK FOR TOWNSWOMAN

• We give you a list of the

featured books to choose from.

• You get about a month to read your chosen book.

• You email or post us your thoughts. Interested? Let Rhiannon at TGHQ know.

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THE WHISPERING HOUSE BY ELIZABETH BROOKS

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB BY RICHARD OSMAN

ART PRODUCTION CLIENT

The story is an original idea, pensioners detecting crimes, and yet it seems quite Viking, £14.99 reasonable in Richard’s Review able hands. He draws by Nan ed Harma cy THE BOOK characters who are Mineh n of ead Described as believable and well Guild (E) ‘a big-hearted crime rounded. His dialogue novel with four unlikely is kept realistic and heroes all pushing 80 at interesting. There are plenty of its heart’, this is the fiction red herrings and it’s easy to get debut of the presenter led up the wrong path – and known for his star turns on yet, come the end, when all BBC One’s Pointless. is revealed, you can see it’s all there if you’d looked, just like all THE REVIEW the best murder mysteries. Some celebrity books fail He is a master of throwaway to engage, and fall short of lines, right from the beginning, expectations. This one doesn’t. and I laughed out loud a few Not by a long way. Watching times at the humour. But don’t Richard on television, I see think that this is a funny book someone who is quick, witty – it isn’t. It’s sad, entertaining, and smart – and that is how emotional, gentle yet strong in he writes. equal measures.

ONE BY ONE BY RUTH WARE

Harvill Secker, £12.99

LOST BY LEONA DEAKIN Black Swan, £8.99

TAKE ACTION

Doubleday, £14.99

I read this in one day, with a short gap to prepare and eat a meal. I honestly couldn’t put it down. For a first book it’s excellent and it sounded as if it might be the start of a series. I do hope so.

Five years ago, Freya Lyell’s troubled older sister, Stella, was discovered dead at the bottom of cliffs in Devon. But why is there a portrait of Stella in the nearby mansion, with its beautiful façade that conceals a decaying interior? And will Freya be drawn into danger by the same man?

THE WEIGHT OF SMALL THINGS BY JULIE LANCASTER

MORTMAIN HALL BY MARTIN EDWARDS

Head of Zeus, £18.99

When nineyear-old Frankie finds her mum hanging in her bedroom, the police say it was suicide. But Frankie – sent to live with her grandmother – is sure it is murder. How, though, can she prove it? Written from Frankie’s point of view, this novel is perfect for those who loved Joanna Cannon’s The Trouble with Goats and Sheep.

Rachel Savernake is the sleuth in this crime mystery set in 1930 by multi-awardwinning Martin Edwards. Opening with a funeral train on London’s Necropolis Railway, we have multiple murders, many red herrings and a house party at Mortmain Hall on the remote North Yorkshire coast. The cheaper paperback is out in December.

Mirror Books, £8.99

High in the French Alps, a group of colleagues have gathered for a corporate retreat. While fighting over the future of their firm, an avalanche cuts them off from the outside world and one of their number goes missing. This chilling crime thriller, from the writer described as the modern-day heir to Agatha Christie, is out in November.

In this twisty thriller, a bomb explodes at a military ball, and one casualty, Captain Harry Peterson, disappears on his way to hospital. Three days later he turns up, but remembers absolutely nothing. Cue psychologist and private detective Augusta Bloom – but how will she be able to discover what happened? Out late October.

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BOOKS TIME FOR YOU

TIME FOR YOU FOOD FOR THOUGHT VERSION REPRO OP

Raise a glassÉ …to the women proving their worth in the British drinks industry

ART PRODUCTION

THE WINEMAKER

CLIENT

About one in eight of UK winemakers is female – including award-winning Emma Rice, 45. Back in 1995, when working part-time in a restaurant, Emma told her boss she wanted to work in the wine trade. ‘He suggested being a wine merchant’s secretary as looks and charm, not brains, were my assets.’ ‘It outraged me,’ Emma says, ‘but if anything it drove me forward.’ She left the restaurant and went to work for her local Oddbins off-licence, while taking some Wine & Spirit Education Trust courses. Emma went on to become a specialist wine editor for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book. ‘For three years I did that job, sitting in an office in London and reading about other people going to wonderful places and making wine,’ says Emma. Then, knowing that winemaking was what she really wanted to do, she enrolled on a BSc in viticulture and oenology. Now Emma is head winemaker at Hattingley Valley Wines in Hampshire. ‘Although the wine trade is Emma Rice fairly pale,

BLACK YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN

Jaega Wise

male and stale, I think attitudes have changed,’ she says. The long hours, though, prevent more women coming into the industry. ‘If something goes wrong in the winery and a six-hour job turns into nine hours, you can’t leave to pick up a child from nursery,’ says Emma. ‘I don’t have children but I know a lot of women struggle with this in every industry. However, those children have fathers too! It annoys me that women take a back seat because their

husbands don’t pull their weight with childcare. Equality should begin at home!’ Emma admits that ‘winemakers are fairly egotistical – myself included!’ But she feels having women around reduces the ultra-competitive male ego. ‘At harvest time, with temporary workers, you always get a couple of guys saying they have a better way of doing things. If it’s a good idea I’ll take it on board; if not it doesn’t offend me. But I’ve been in wineries when men just can’t take that criticism.’ THE BREWER

Jaega Wise, 32 – head brewer at Wild Card Brewery in east London and 2018

@carmelkingphoto

SUBS

ne hundred years ago, a physician named Dr Schick claimed that menstruating women excreted a toxin that made flowers wilt. Other quacks jumped on the bandwagon, declaring that women could sour wine and spoil beer. And though such crazy claims no longer keep women out of wineries and breweries, the number of female winemakers, brewers and distillers is still comparatively small.

TAKE A SIP

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Food For Thought, 1

Brewer of The Year – is no stranger to sexist comments. ‘I was loading a truck HIGHLAND BOUNDARY WILD APPLETINI with crates yesterday and the driver said ëIím the distiller and Simon mixes the cocktails!í says Marian. So here is Simonís to me, “Shouldn’t you be in the office, not recipe for a perfect autumn or winter cocktail. driving the forklift?” I told him to just go and sit in his cab!’ INGREDIENTS But, she says, this isn’t unique to • 25ml Birch and Elderflower Wild brewing. ‘Every woman has their own Scottish Spirit story of discrimination. There still is a • 10ml Calvados or apple brandy glass ceiling. It’s getting better but it’s still • 150ml cloudy apple juice not good enough.’ • a mint sprig or slice of apple In the brewing industry, networks such as Crafty Beer Girls have sprung up METHOD for women to support each other, and 1. In a cocktail mixer add some ice and Project Venus began the trend of female pour in the Birch and Elderflower brewers brewing a beer together. Now, together with the Calvados. each year on International Women’s Day, 2. Stir and add the cloudy apple juice. women meet to create something special. 3. Shake and strain out the ice while ‘This year, over 100 women came to pouring into a Martini glass. brew at Wild Card,’ says Jaega. ‘We 4. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a produced an India Pale Ale in tribute to slice of apple. mathematician Ada Lovelace, the first For other cocktail ideas, see computer programmer.’ www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ Removing sexist branding, such as collection/cocktail-recipes. images of naked women on labels, has been a positive step too. ‘These days, if a brewer THE DISTILLER still, which is the size of a small house and brings out a product with Marian Bruce needs millions of pounds of funding.’ The branding like that, they’ll had been a research change meant any size still was allowed. be ostracised. Plus, the scientist for 20 years Highland Boundary distillery was Portman Group – a sort of before she left founded in January 2016, and the first “alcohol police” – will stop academia and, with product, Birch and Elderflower Wild them producing it.’ her husband Simon, Scottish Spirit, was launched in October Encouraging more bought a small 2018, with Larch and Honeysuckle Wild women into brewing starts farm in Perthshire Scottish Spirit following in 2020. Both with education. ‘It’s about between the have won prestigious awards. ‘All the getting more women into Scottish Highlands flavours come from our own countryside, Marian Bruce sciences at A level or and Lowlands. with everything gathered within two miles degree level,’ says Jaega, ‘Simon and I are of the distillery,’ says Marian. who studied chemical biologists, so initially When Covid struck, Highland engineering at university. She also feels it was about creating a biodiversity Boundary pivoted to make hand more apprenticeships are needed for hotspot,’ says Marian. ‘We immediately sanitiser. ‘HMRC created a short-term school-leavers. ‘But anyone who wants started planting wildflower meadows and dispensation for distillers – who were to get into brewing can learn by starting native trees. Ten years on, the biodiversity sitting on stocks of ethanol – to let us with a homebrew kit. You can’t always has increased 400-fold.’ make hand sanitiser.’ Marian ended up wait for other people to open doors for With a small farm not entitled to supplying GP surgeries, a hospice, the you – sometimes you have to open subsidies, they knew they had to do things ambulance service, food shop workers… them yourself.’ differently – for example, by raising ‘Serving our community in that way was Seeing the success of women like rare-breed sheep. The distillery was born just so rewarding.’ Jaega – a host on Channel 5’s The Wine out of the same ethos. Show and Radio 4’s The Food Programme Although Marian had always known – will help too. ‘The visibility of women, about Scandinavian and Alpine spirits the visibility of people of colour – using wild plants, a visit to a friend in Check out and order Emma, these things are important because it Denmark gave her the idea of distilling a Jaega and Marian’s products: normalises those scenarios. That means spirit using the native plants she and www.hattingleyvalley.com when Mr Truckdriver sees me driving a Simon had reintroduced. Then a change www.wildcardbrewery.co.uk forklift he hasn’t got a comment to make in HMRC legislation made the project www.highlandboundary.com because he’s seen it eight times that feasible. ‘Before that, to have a distilling day already.’ licence, you had to have an 18,000-litre

TIME FOR YOU PUZZLES & PRIZES VERSION

Break time

REPRO OP

Look out for all winne rs’ names and the crosswor d solution in th e next issue

BRAIN-TEASERS AND GIVEAWAYS

WIN! A CASE OF CROFT ORIGINAL ORIGINAL SHERRY SHERRY

SUBS ART PRODUCTION

Sherry sales have soared recently and we have a case of six one-litre bottles of Croft Original Sherry for one lucky winner. Whether you’re reminiscing with loved ones, cooking Sunday lunch or taking a quiet moment to yourself to relax and unwind, a chilled glass of light and refreshing Croft Original will hit the spot. Croft Original Sherry is available from all major supermarkets. Join us on Facebook @CroftSherry for news and more competitions! Entrants must be over 18. The winner must supply a full mainland UK delivery address and telephone number.

SUDOKU Train your brain with a sudoku workout. Fill in all the squares in the grid, so that each row, column and 3x3 square contains all digits from 1 to 9. See the TG website for the answers to last issue’s sudokus.

EASY

2 7

CLIENT

OUR DIGITAL WORLD Manage Christmas is a free gift-list app for Apple or Android that keeps you on top of what you’ve bought, what you still need to buy, possible gifts for different friends and family – and, importantly, how much you have spent. Plus, there’s an ideas section in case you’re all out of inspiration.

1 6

4 6 7

6 2

9 2

5 7

For your chance to win, complete the crossword and correctly identify the hidden word. Then send the word to the address on the right to be entered into the prize draw.

2 5

8 3

6 2

HARD

8 1

7 3

4 5

1 4

7 7

8 9

7 2

ENTER NOW To enter the crossword competition or giveaways, send the answer (if relevant), along with your name, address, phone number and member ID by email to tgprizedraws@ thinkpublishing. co.uk or on a postcard to Townswomen’s Guilds, Gee Business Centre, Gee House, Holborn Hill, Birmingham B7 5JR. Entries should arrive before 11.59pm on 31 December 2020. Terms and conditions apply: 1. Open to residents in the British Isles only, aged 18 or over, who are members of Townswomen’s Guilds. 2. The prizes: see left and right. 3. To enter: see above. 4. One entry per person. 5. Promotion closes: see above. For full terms and conditions, visit the Members’ Area of the TG website (www.the-tg.com).

PICTURE THIS Add the pictures together to find the name of the world’s longest-running TV soap opera, whose first episode was broadcast 60 years ago. Picture puzzle answer: Coronation Street, first broadcast on 9 December 1960 on ITV 40 THE-TG.COM ISSUE 04 2020

BLACK YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN

Break Time, 1

PRIZE CROSSWORD

For a chance to win this issue’s prize (see left), fill in the crossword and combine the letters in the shaded squares to reveal a grape variety that sherry is made from. Email or post your answer to the address on page 40 before 11.59pm on 31 December 2020, marking your entry ‘CROSSWORD’. 1

12 Copper in San Merino is the dregs, but still rises to the top (4)

16 A slicer specially designed for cream cakes (7)

18 A better composer than Mozart? That’s a lie sir, after a fashion (7)

21 Yellow flower found near ox tongue (7) 22

26 28

27 29

Across 1 Mathematical computation used to solve problems (9) 8 A method of paying for goods at a later date (6) 9 Means of covering or concealing curtain rings (6) 10 Spanish sparkling wine (4) 11 An arrangement of flowers (5)

6 Complete nonsense, especially of talking (6) 7 Fastening where two pieces of fabric stick together (6)

14 Alcoholic drink made from apple juice (5)

17 Fishing spear (7)

21 Cafeteria, usually at a place of work (7) 22 Official association or distance at sea (6) 26 & 19 Glamorous – and clever – film star, starred in Samson and Delilah, and featured in last issue’s Townswoman (4,6) 27 Bird from the pigeon family – symbol of peace (4)

25 Wedge-shaped flatbread (4)

CRYPTIC CLUES

28 Skimpy underwear (6)

Across

29 Second book of the Old Testament (6)

1 Use logarithm to create problem-solving calculation (9)

30 Colourful flowering shrub or hortensia (9)

8 Direct arrangement brings belief, honour and a sum of money (6)

Down

9 Temple reconstruction required to conceal top of window (6)

2 & 5 TG Honorary Member and the first female president of the UK Supreme Court (4,4)

30 Colourful shrub created by mixing hay into garden compost (9) Down

3 Intelligent mollusc finds work after a month (7)

20 Tooth at the front of the mouth, used for cutting (7)

24 Classic teatime cake for one, often served with jam and cream (5)

28 The type of underwear that might land you in court (6)

13 Board game involving buying up property in London – was a national TG competition (8)

16 Cream-filled choux patisseries (7)

23 Large, heavy book (4)

25 Learner flyers come back to a hearty breakfast flatbread (4)

2 & 5 Judge new TG Honorary Member is a genteel woman and in good health (4,4)

15 Small crustacean – lovely in a Marie Rose sauce (5)

21 Yellow flower found in meadows, from the primrose family (7)

24 English afternoon treat revered by the Scots (5)

10 Wood preservative made from coal tar (8)

12 A nasty layer on the surface of a liquid (4)

18 Classical opera composer, contemporary of Mozart (7)

23 Customer conceals large book about his person. ‘Give it here!’ (4)

29 Book flight home from Egypt ages ago (6)

QUICK CLUES

17 Talk endlessly about old fishing spear (7)

4 Indict politician, say, for cheap motorway construction (7) 6 Rambling evil doctor comes out with such gobbledegook (6) 7 Cold lover carelessly reveals alternative attachment (6) 10 Hazardous wood preservative found in eco-store, surprisingly (8) 13 National TG board-game competition sounds remarkably uncompetitive (8) 14 Drink first combined with rice for harvest-time wassail (5) 15 Cook up raw Norfolk seafood – delicious in garlic (5) 20 The first food processor? Cutting-edge human technology (7) 21 Set of cutlery for use in the work cafeteria? (7) 22 Coalition that’s given the French the shivers (6)

3 Eight-legged cephalopod – popular on menus in the Med (7)

10 Is Spanish wine OK in France? Just don’t call it champagne (4)

26 & 19 As seen in last TG mag, Army herald developed missile guidance system. What a star! (4,6)

4 Charge someone with a crime against the state (7)

11 Floral arrangement must be watered with a fine mist? (5)

27 Pretty bird plunged head first into the sea (4)

WIN! MAVALA REVITALIZING HAND MILK Mavala Revitalizing Hand Milk contains active ingredients such as aloe vera, witch hazel, and glycoproteins, which possess revitalising and moisturising properties. It soothes and moisturises hands and contains a protecting agent that helps skin to shield against the drying effects of external factors. For your chance to win, email or post your entry, marked ‘MAVALA’, to the address on page 40.

WIN! HOLY LAMA SPICE DROPS SPICE DROPS ®

The Holy Lama Spice Drops® Christmas Collection, worth £19, contains mulling spices, cinnamon, ginger and Orange Spice Drops®. These highly concentrated natural extracts provide flavour and aroma for a classic mulled wine, spicy hot chocolate or luscious cinnamon bun from just one or two drops. See the full range at www.holylama.co.uk. For your chance to win, email or post your entry, marked ‘SPICE’, to the address on page 40.

ISSUE 03 2020 CROSSWORD SOLUTION WINNING WORD: SHIFT

Across: 1 Statement 8 Litter 9 Newish 12 Mint 13 Petal 14 File 17 Reports 18 Episode 19 Lumbago 22 Satsuma 24 Iota 25 Sedan 26 Stye 29 Presto 30 Macaws 31 Consonant Down: 2 Tate 3 Targets 4 Mandate 5 Newt 6 Kidnap 7 Eskimo 10 Amaryllis 11 Delegates 15 Cream 16 Kitty 20 Mature 21 Ocelots 22 Sharman 23 Uptown 27 Oslo 28 Scan ISSUE 03 PRIZEWINNERS Crossword: Doreen Wardle, Nailsea. Cranes Cider Gift Set: Pam Norman, Billericay.

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VERSION

Victoria Ajoku

REPRO OP SUBS

Do you do an unusual craft or would you like to learn one? Let TGHQ know

When Victoria found an official list of endangered crafts, she took on the challenge of saving the traditional skill of fan making

ART

PRODUCTION CLIENT

’ve been around fans since I was young. While I was born in London, my parents are from Nigeria, and we would attend West African parties together – fundraisers to help our community back home. These parties were elaborate, and people would go all out with costumes. The ladies had these incredible hand-crafted fans made from animal skin called ‘chieftaincy fans’, and I remember thinking to myself, ‘Wow! How are these made?’ Fast forward to 2016: I had finished an MA in performance and creative research when I came across the Heritage Crafts Association’s Red List of Endangered Crafts. I was interested in how these crafts became endangered in the UK. I always say, if you see a problem, maybe you’re the solution, so I decided to specialise in one of the crafts and spread awareness. I chose fan making because it was

INTERVIEW JESSICA FEEHAN

Every country has its own style of fan, just like a national flag

Tori uses her fan-making skills to make a special one for TG

something I felt familiar with, as I would often collect souvenir fans when abroad. I started looking into the history. Most people know the folding fan: a pleated paper leaf on wooden sticks. These were brought to Europe from Japan and China, and the wealthy added sapphires, rubies, all sorts. Less well known are the brisé (decorated sticks, no leaf), cockade (circular folding) and fontage (used mostly for advertising) fans. I discovered that the fans from my childhood, such as palm-leaf fans, were of the fixed type. Another fixed fan, the flabellum, originated in Egypt in the time of Tutankhamun and was the first type of fan, intended to provide shade and a cooling breeze. With my own origins also in Africa, I felt

a strong natural connection to this art form. The more I trained myself, through classes and online resources, I realised that what I wasn’t seeing was anyone doing fan making for young people. Generally, when you’re learning a craft, you need to start young, and I feel one of the main reasons we have these endangered crafts is that they’ve stayed with a certain demographic or area without being handed down. I thought, ‘OK, clearly I need to start something here.’ And Fan the Glory with Tori was born! What I’ve seen when I’ve travelled is that every culture, every country, has its own style of fan, just like a national flag. A fan can reveal a lot about a country. That tells me that the art of making fans is for everyone, from all parts

of the world. If we’re going to save these skills, we need to get people interested in them – different types of people, who wouldn’t ordinarily come into contact with a heritage craft. I see myself as a kind of ‘positive provoker’. So while I love taking commissions (I recently decorated a wedding venue with 175 custom fans), what I’m really looking forward to, once the pandemic has passed, is getting back into schools, care homes, even prisons, and running workshops for anyone who wants to learn. Tori is based in south-east London, but – pandemic restrictions permitting – Fan the Glory with Tori can come to you. Visit www. fantheglorywithtori.com to book a fan-making or fan-dancing workshop or talk, discuss a commission or donate to support Tori’s outreach work. ● For more on endangered crafts, see www.heritage crafts.org.uk/redlist TAKE ACTION

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My World, 1

LIVING MY WORLD

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