One of our members, Carrie De Silva from the Nantwich Group has started a project to have more streets named after women.

The Aim is to highlight streets named after women (and to highlight how few there are).

For more information please click on this link

Carrie would be delighted if NWR members wanted to get involved.

 Romiley members social distancing!

When lockdown started we were all at a loss what to do. All our meetings were cancelled and so we started a weekly Would I Lie To You email with one member of our group of 15 contacting one other member, who had to email a lie while the others emailed a truth about themselves. Later in the week we had to guess who was lying and that person secretly asked another to be the next liar and so it went on. We did not question each other, as in the TV programme but we found out some very interesting facts about each other in the course of the time we did it.

We also revived an idea from a meeting we held several years ago when we chose six words and wrote a story, poem or dialogue including the six words and then emailed them to the group.  It was great to read the different ideas we came up with.

As lockdown eased we had meetings in each other’s gardens with a maximum of 6 in each. It was great to get together and see each other face to face and talk about our lockdown experiences and find out about each other’s truths! It was a welcome change from reading emails.

We then decided on a socially distanced walk and picnic, in which 12 of our members took part. We picnicked on a bench and the photo is of us all socially distancing while picnicking. Again it was good to see each other face to face and chat.

We’ve recently started writing Haiku poems with the theme of An Emotional Snapshot of Lockdown and have read many interesting and poignant ones.

As I write this towards the end of July, who knows how our meetings will continue. We’ve enjoyed the outside meet ups and walks and cannot even think of how long it will be before 15 people can be inside in one room again. We’ll just have to get used to being wrapped up while sitting in a member’s garden or walking together.

ROMILEY NWR

Poem by Elizabeth Bracken 

those chill church halls of two bar fires

and icy toilets with high level flush,

their kitchens full of prohibitions

and cupboards packed with Beryl Ware,

countless cups and saucers in sea green.

who misses tea urns - ancient, modern, gushing out like spouting whales, 

or hessian bags of bargain coffee jars?

Dark are the stage lights for the pantomime,

cheap glitterballs and temperamental strip light.

Faded the smell of celebration buffets - 

chipolatas, mini quiches, spicy chicken wings.

Silent the dusty out of tune piano, the keep fit beat,

a birthday DJs patter, meditation tapes,

loud clapping from the slimming club

and women's voices over washing up

Sandra's wonderful sunflowers...

The Chandler's Ford Group, like all of us, are having to find different ways of communicating, and they decided at a recent meeting to discuss their favouite walk, because at least it is something we can all do in this time of Lockdown. they have 20 members in their group out of which 12 participated in an online ZOOM meeting.  Three others sent their contributions before the meeting.  the list of walks was compiled and then emailed to all members... which is something that other groups might like to try!

TO READ ABOUT THEIR WALKS CLICK HERE

Initiated by the 60th Anniversary of NWR, Buckhurst Hill & Woodford Green reunited some "old timers" as we call ourselves (going back forty years in some cases) and, having arranged a date in early March, we were pleased to be able to go ahead with our plans before the full  restrictions were put in place.  Most had moved away, but travelled to London for a very enjoyable lunch.  In the event, twelve were able to attend (some travelling long distances), and for those who couldn't make it, it was good to have been in touch again.  It inspired us to try and make this an annual event!

Adelia is now working from the office on MON & TUES 9 - 4pm, WEDS & FRI 9 - 1pm and Sam is continuing to work from home.  

We would appreciate if members could email the office if you have any questions This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Adelia will be there to answer your calls when she is in the office but alternatively you can leave a message on the office answerphone 01603 406767 and we can check it and pick up messages remotely.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Sam & Adelia

WhatsAppening, WhatsAppening ?

Confusion, chaos reign

I try to answer Maureen but

Kath interrupts again

From Canada to custard creams

Camels, change and crocus

Such abundance of the C word

Makes it very hard to focus

Kaiser Chiefs and croquet

Covens, haircuts will be fun

Clever curtains closing

Crosswords, colouring, cajun

I’ve a finger that’s arthritic

Which slows me down somewhat

I’m always getting left behind

Slow down, you rotten lot

The typos keep on coming

With gauge tees, mooing couse

The doves seem to be coping

But groping photo’s not allowed

It was late when Antje joined us

She couldn’t find the link

Connected to another line

Talking to herself we think

You can’t have your cake and eat it

It was virtual you see

And we also lacked a hostess

To make our cups of tea

That did not seem a problem

For in reality

Our ladies, safe behind their screens

Were sipping G&T

One by one we said Goodnight

And signed off for a rest

I so enjoyed my time with you

Bedale Ladies, you’re the best !

Written by Judith Brickwood, a member of Bedale group after their first WhatsApp meeting.  

Broadstone Afternoon members exercising and observing the isolation code! 

Here are some photos of our group’s Celebration Afternoon Tea at Lytham Hall on Diamond Day. The local press came, took photos and wrote two articles about us. We each had a goody bag containing a special memento which consisted of a tea light holder with our own commemorative transfers affixed. We proposed a toast to Maureen Nicol and a good time was had by all.

Women of the World

we see your life,

in a world of conflict,

pain and strife.

Women being wives,

we feel your pain,

trying to build towards

a life of gain.

Women being mothers,

we know your cry,

aiming, for your children,

for the best of life.

Women being strong,

we share your loss,

humiliation, degradation,

and the heart-felt cost.

Women being heard,

your voice is loud,

it can also be seen

through the dark, dark cloud.

Women of hope,

never give away

your pride, and the effort

towards a better day.

Women of the future,

work through this test,

to help you all

we’re doing our best.

The women here

have not forgotten you

and send strong support

for all that you do.

Nikki Bennett. Copyright

Some of Perth's members enjoying their monthly daytime event. In March 2020 they visited the Signet Library, Edinburgh where they had a tour and a meal which was arranged by one of the group members, herself a designated Writer to the Signet.

They coincidentally had member celebrating her birthday so she was presented with a wee cake

The Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet is the oldest legal society in the world. It is a private society of Scottish solicitors. The Society dates back to 1594 and is part of the College of Justice. Writers to the Signet originally had special privileges in relation to the drawing up of documents which required to be signeted, but these have disappeared and the Society is now an independent, non-regulatory association of solicitors, most of whom are based in Edinburgh.

The Signet Library is situated in the very heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, is the epitome of prestigious, Georgian elegance. Steeped in history, the building, with its Lower and Upper Libraries, was completed in 1822 in time for the celebrated visit to Edinburgh of King George IV, who described the Upper Library as “the finest drawing room in Europe”.

Bury St Edmunds group held a 'Bring an Object' meeting which always provides an opportunity to learn something and have a bit of a discussion.

Objects are deposited in a bag and then they are picked out one at a time and members try to work out what it is, what it's importance might be, and who it belongs to.

The tems shown are a cherished 'Brumas' toy bear, a St Thomas' hospital nurse's badge, a Lincoln Imp brooch, Fitzroy Storm Glass, butter curler, walking stick ferrule, Romanian egg ornament, Dorset button rings, and tiny metal sticks to draw peg numbers on a shooting party. Quite a mixture!

Celebrating 60 Years of NWR

February 26th 1960 was the day that a letter was published in the Guardian suggesting that women at home with young children might benefit from meeting up with lively minded women for more than just chat about babies and housework!

The National Housewives Register - later to become the National Women's Register - very quickly took shape.

On Wednesday 26th February members celebrated our 60th Anniversary. All over the UK celebrations were held in regional venues big enough to accommodate large groups of ladies. Lunches were served and glasses were raised for the toast to our founder - Maureen Nicol. A nationwide live link allowed members to view an interview with Maureen while she reminisced about the early days. Maureen is still a member of the Kenilworth Group!

As always, when you get NWR ladies together, the camaraderie is evident and lots of ladies were catching up with people they had seen in other years at the National Conferences as well as getting to know new ladies and finding out about their groups.

NWR was a lifeline for young Mothers back in the 60s, 70s and 80s. But times have changed though with most of today's Mums going back to work after having had their babies and now getting their mental stimulation at work.

However the women who have had demanding careers and are now retiring, the ladies with empty nest syndrome or the Grandmas who have moved house to be near family can all benefit from becoming an NWR member !

Our 60th Anniversary has generated a lot of interest with letters and an article was published in the G2 section of The Guardian. Added to that Natalie Punter, our National Organiser and Jo Thomson, one of our Trustees were interviewed by Jenni Murray on Woman's Hour on Friday 28th February 2020!

The function took place at the Priory Street Centre York where almost 100 members attended

In the morning we heard about the history of diamonds and were able to see some beautiful examples.

At lunchtime a lovely meal was provided by the venue. After that, via the live link, it was good to actually see and hear from our founder Maureen Nicol.

In the afternoon we had a fabulous talk about Rebel Women, we heard about some specific women from the 19th century to the current day who were pioneers in their different ways. The talk was illustrated by some wonderful clothes from the time.

During the event members participated in quizzes and the day ended with tea and cake!

On Wednesday, our Bury St Edmunds group hosted an event at the Athenaeum to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NWR, in tandem with around a dozen other events across the UK. What a lovely, memorable day we had!
130 members attended, representing 21 different groups in the Eastern Region.
Starting the morning with tea & coffee, we then moved into the ballroom to listen to very interesting talks from two entertaining speakers - Paul Stancliffe from the BTO and Catherine Buchanan from the Guildhall.
The three-course lunch was enjoyed hugely, and was followed by a successful (phew) live link to Birmingham for a recorded interview with Maureen Nichol and a sparkling toast to the NWR. Hooray!!

In the afternoon many members elected to go on organised tours of the Cathedral, Guildhall and Greene King Brewery, or to stay at the Athenaeum and take part in activities such as botanical art, attracting wildlife to your garden, spinning & weaving, and a talk on the women of Bury St Edmunds.
It took a lot of organising, and the committee probably collapsed on their respective sofas when they got home, but it really was worth it!!

Our group has  a new Interest sub-group of cinema lovers. The group recently enjoyed Little Women.  Anyone can propose a film and help the Cinema group coordinator organize the details.

This group is most frequently about cinema but we also enjoy attending live theatre, concerts and dance performances. The performances typically are within our Milton Keynes area but we also venture to nearby towns and cities.

Lytham St Annes group are to celebrate Diamond Day with a celebratory Afternoon Tea at our local Georgian manor house Lytham Hall.

Attached is a photo of a vintage bus trip to Lytham Hall that some of our members took a few weeks ago. The vehicle is a 1960s single decker Leyland Tiger Cub owned and driven by John Edwards (the husband of one of or members). The bus will be 60 years old this March 2020 so it was the perfect choice.