Your chance to dance the night away with members and friends, at the Catford Cricket & Sports Club, The Pavilion, Penerley Road, Catford, SE6 2LQ. Tickets £10 for W I Members and £12 for Guests. Bring your friends and partners – or come solo: all welcome. Tickets from Fiona J or catfordwi@gmail.com Live DJ. Cash Bar – at Club prices! Buffet. Raffle.
Biggin Hill Spitfire Hangar Tour
On 4 May a group of members, family and friends had a wonderful tour of the Spitfires and other World War II aircraft on the Heritage Hangar Tour at Biggin Hill with our knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, Austin. We got to see spitfires taking off and landing and saw others in the process of renovation.
Completing the 78-mile Capital Ring Walk
A group of members and friends from Catford WI have completed the Capital Ring walk – a 78-mile circular walk around London. The walk is divided in to 15 sections, with a guide and map for each section available to download on the TFL website.
We started in Woolwich in late November, covering home ground and familiar sites, and made our way through unfamiliar territory, across commons, along canals, through parks and down residential streets to finish back in Woolwich again on 29 March, walking one or two stages each time. We were really lucky with the weather and had lots of blue skies, and only a few (very) muddy paths to manage. Each stage starts and finishes near a tube or train station, and it's been really interesting to see different areas of London and to take in some amazing views from places like Crystal Palace, Richmond Park and Harrow. It has been a great chance to get to know each other outside of the monthly meetings and we already have plans to start the London Loop, a 150-mile walk around outer London, this autumn.
Poppins Afternoon on Blackheath Common
On 13 April, 6 and a ‘half’ of us turned out for a spot of afternoon kite flying on Blackheath Common. Conditions were less than perfect, but there was just enough wind. Most of us had not flown a kite before, but we managed to get them up and have a great time flying them.
Darts Tournament: Catford Sweet Peas Vs Yalding Angels
On 10 April, Catford Sweet Peas played their quarter-final match away to Yalding Angels. It was a good game with Yalding Angels winning 2-1. Thanks you Yalding WI for hosting the evening and providing good company and food.
Our April Meeting
On 9 April, Lin Saines gave us a talk about herbs. Lin is the medieval garden advisor and still-room consultant at Ryle Castle Museum. She talked about the use of herbs in the British gardens, particularly those of stately homes, and gave us a seasonal guide to herbs and their uses, including some inspiring recipes.
Photography Walks in the City of London
On 30 March and 6 April we very much enjoyed being taken around the City of London on a photography walk by Pat Langford. She gave us some really helpful tips and showed us some great spots to photograph St Paul's Cathedral. Here we are snapping away.
The Capital Ring – Stages 14 + 15: Hackney Wick To Woolwich Foot Tunnel
Well, we’ve done it: we walked the final two stages and completed the Capital Ring Walk – all 78 official miles of it, plus a few extra for distractions such as zip wires!
With blue skies and warm sunshine overhead, we set off from Hackney Wick Station on 29 March and connected with the Greenway Walk, skirting alongside the Olympic Stadium (now the home of West Ham Football Club) and the Orbit. We passed Abbey Mills Pumping Station, a wonderful Victorian building with ornamental gothic architecture, built by Joseph Bazalgette in 1868. Further along the Greenway Walk we passed Victorian school buildings and the East London Cemetery. We left the Greenway Walk and entered Beckton District Park, where at Will Thorne Pavilion Stage 14 finished. We continued our walk in Beckton District Park to start the final stage 15, where we found a nice spot in the warm sunshine for lunch. We continued onto the campus of the University of London, situated alongside the Thames at Royal Albert Dock. Our walk took us along the Thames waterfront, with clear views across to Woolwich. Given the lovely weather, we decided to cross the river to Woolwich by ferry boat. Having made it back to ‘our side of the pond’, we had a well-earned celebratory cuppa in a local Woolwich cafe.
Well done to everyone who has taken part in the Capital Ring Walk. It’s been interesting, educational, athletic and fun!
Clerkenwell Guided Walk
On 23 March a group of members, family and friends went on a guided walk of Clerkenwell, led by the brilliant guide Kate Boyle. We met Kate at Farringdon Station and for the next couple of hours we went on a journey of discovery, seeing things of interesting around every corner.
The Capital Ring – Stages 12 + 13: Highgate To Hackney Wick
On 15 March, the ‘Magnificent Seven’ set off from blustery Highgate to Parkland Walk, a 2-mile stretch of reclaimed railway track that is now a wildlife haven. We walked on to Finsbury Park, then along the New River Path, a very muddy, very slippery path (options of brambles on one side and the river the other). A couple of us did take a tumble, but in true WI fashion we stopped and made ourselves feel better with biscuits! We stopped at Clissold Park for a well-earned break and a spot of lunch. Afterwards we walked through Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, where we saw the grave of William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army. From there we walked on to Springfield Park, an important regional geological site. Leaving the park, we crossed the River Lea, where we saw Springfield Marina, home to a large selection of narrow boats. We then walked along the Lea Valley Walk, which took us past Walthamstow Marsh and onto Hackney Wick, where our 9-mile walk finished.
Our March Meeting
At our monthly meeting on 12 March, members and guests enjoyed a sociable craft evening, decorating picture frames.
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams
On 8 March, two groups of members, friends and family visited the Christian Dior exhibition at the V&A. Dresses from 1947 to the current day were on display. It was a stunning array of design, style, colour and a love of women.
The Capital Ring – Stage 11: Hendon Park To Highgate
On 2 March, the ‘Famous Five’ were without their fearless leader for stage 11 of the Capital Ring (Kay was unwell and unable to join us). We had a great 6-mile walk from Hendon Central to Highgate, seeing some beautiful houses in Hampstead Garden Suburb, the very fine Art Deco underground station in East Finchley and the impressive Highgate Wood along the way. We also found two parks with zipwires while on our travels!
Darts Tournament: Catford Sweet Peas Vs Frindsbury Extra
The Sweet Peas played their second-round darts match against Matfield Arrows on 19 February. Matfield Arrows hosted the match at the King William IV Pub in Pembury. The first game was lengthy; both teams played it close, but Pauline hit the double one to take the game. The second game was fairly close and both teams arrived at double one. Linda did her magic and hit the double one, winning the game and the match 2–0 for the Sweet Peas. Matfield Arrows Captain Kathy and her team were great hosts, creating a friendly atmosphere and providing a very tasty supper after the match.
The Capital Ring – Stage 10: South Kenton To Hendon Park
With clear blue skies and bright warm sunshine, six of us set off from South Kenton station on 15 February, heading towards Preston Park. Brent council must like their residents fit, as we come across a well-equipped fitness area. Always willing to have a go, Alison tried the space walker, Elaine went on the skier and Kay had a go at the rowing machine. However, Cam and Ursula took the opportunity for a sit down! It was good to see a small group of local women using the equipment, apparently on a regular basis, go girls! Shortly after, we entered Fryent Country Park and found the going a little boggy and muddy. We walked to the summit of Gotford’s Hill (known locally by the kids as ‘Telly Tubby Hill’) and discovered great views out over London. We walked on to Welsh Harp Reservoir and detoured ever so slightly to the local garden centre, where we took a welcome break and enjoyed a hot drink and a bite to eat. Weary, but refreshed, we continued our walk to West Hendon and onto Hendon Central Station, where the 6-mile route finished.
Our February Meeting
We had a really interesting talk by Jennifer Cooper from the Crossbones Graveyard at our monthly meeting on 12 February. It was great to hear more about the history of the site and the area and the many people who had been buried there. If you're interested in more information or in attending their monthly vigil, visit crossbones.org.uk.
The Ribboned Gate (photo by Katy Nicholls)
The Bronze Plaque (photo by Max Reeves)
Source: http://crossbones.org.uk/
The Capital Ring – Stage 9: Greenford Station To South Kenton
Waterproofs on and with a hot drink inside them, six set off from Greenford Station for a 5.5 mile walk. We passed by Paradise Fields Wetlands, then joined the Grand Union Canal to Horsenden Hill. There were great views from the top of Horsenden Hill overlooking London. We continued onto Harrow on the Hill and walked past many of the buildings of Harrow School. The last part of the walk was along a very muddy track, where with a few near misses we managed to get through without taking a dive.
City Walk and Tour of Guildhall Art Gallery
On 26 January, Kate Boyle led a group of members and friends on a city walk and guided tour of the Guildhall Art Gallery. We all meet at the Crypt Cafe in St Paul’s Cathedral, before setting off on a short walk around the cathedral, then through Cheapside and on to the Guildhall Art Gallery. At the art gallery, Kate handed over to Karen Lansdown, who showed us around the Corporation of London Art Collection, with an emphasis on women artists and subjects. It was a very enjoyable and informative outing.
Book tickets for our summer disco
The Capital Ring – Stage 8: Osterley Lock To Greenford Station
The ‘Magnificent Seven’ set off from Boston Manor Station to make their way to the start of Stage 8 at Osterley Lock. From there we walked alongside the Grand Union Canal to Hanwell Lock, where we veered off to follow the Brent River. We saw the impressive Wharncliffe Viaduct, which was built in 1838 and used by Great Western Railways. From there we walked onto Brent Lodge Park, where we had a warm drink, meandered around the maze and then, with our inner child screaming to ‘have a go’, we took off on the zip wire. Worn out from laughing, we set off again, passing Brent Valley Golf Course, through Perivale Park and finishing our 5.5-mile walk at Greenford Station.
Stage-8 Extra: The Flying Club.
Never ones to miss the opportunity to have a go (or laugh trying!), we were excited to come across a newly installed zip wire at Brent Lodge Park. The ‘kids’ among us rose to the challenge, some doing better than others (no names mentioned, Kay!) and spent a fun filled 20 minutes zipping about in the winter sunshine.
