Can you believe it’s November already? January lasted about 5 years – February to today seemed about 2 weeks! And what a varied year we’ve had – we’ve had a venue move, some great speakers, walks, film nights, great fairs and more. Politically the world might be going completely bonkers worldwide and making very little common sense – however, Merstham Women’s Group is our little oasis of normality and calm. A place where you can come along for a few hours and just chill, learn a new skill or just talk to friends and forget about the mad world outside.
We’ve settled into our new Tuesday night venue - Merstham Baptist is a lovely cosy space to meet. We will keep a check for football fixtures though – occasionally Merstham FC have Tuesday evening matches which make parking on Weldon Way a problem. We will advise members if this is the case. Parking freely available outside the hub and Portland Drive when a match is on, so no need to miss a meeting.
We sadly lost one of our members in September – Rosemary Clarke – many members of Merstham Women’s group attended her funeral and a well-attended wake at Canada Hall afterwards – her family were well supported at this difficult time, and it was wonderful to see so many people coming together to support them. We will miss Rosemary’s presence at our group events and will remember her fondly.
In October, we enjoyed the most interesting talk on the history of guides and suffragettes in Surrey. We learnt all about the Pethick Lawrence family’s involvement with women’s suffrage –a fascinating subject with an excellent speaker. The challenges women went through just for equal rights to vote. I wonder what challenges Merstham Women’s group will look back on in a hundred years.
Looking forward, our November meeting is a craft session with Janet Aslett making Christmas crafts – Janet’s sessions are always great fun, do come along. It doesn’t matter what your level of skill is – you’ll go home with something nice. Or just come long and chat with crafters over a cup of tea. Do invite interested friends. Janet will also be hosting a wreath making session at Canada Hall on 11th December at 7pm. £25 and profits will go towards projects run through MCFT including my bee project – next spring I will organise fully risk assessed visits to see the bees at our apiary for anyone interested with a shared picnic at the allotment for those who just want a little walk and a nice sit in the communal area for those not keen on getting close to bees.
On 16th November, we have our folk evening – ticket sales are going well. There’s still plenty of tickets left so do invite your friends, neighbours and family – it’s going to be a great night – we would love the offer of cake for the interval and welcome help in serving teas. We’d also appreciate good quality raffle prizes please. Do bring your own alcoholic and soft drinks and snacks. There will be space for a bit of a dance and song books with lyrics so we can join in – it’s going to be awesome! Run time for the music - please arrive between 7.15 and 7.30. First set is at 7.30 for an hour. We take a refreshment and raffle call break at 8.30 for 30 minutes - 9pm to 10pm for second set. Bring some spare change or card for raffle and refreshments.
Christmas – yes, it’s time to plan our Christmas meeting. This time we’re going to have soup, mulled wine and cake at the Baptist church. Offers of help with food gratefully accepted and any entertainment ideas – games, quiz, live music (does anyone play an instrument for some carols?)
We’re starting up a theatre and film group – if you’d like to sign up to our WhatsApp group please e-mail or contact me with your WhatsApp number and we can add you to the group. If you have any suggestions for local amateur and professional shows locally (Ish) or any good films you fancy seeing, suggest them. Horley Archway, Caterham Miller Centre and Chipstead all have regular shows. Professionally Epsom, Guildford, Dorking and Crawley have good shows – slightly further afield Wimbledon and Bromley often have West End shows visiting. We also have The Light, Everyman and Merstham Movies for film visits. If you spot something interesting, pop it in the WhatsApp chat or on the Facebook page and we’ll do our best to get tickets if we can.
Our weekly events still go ahead at the Merstham Hub – Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Please also get in touch if you’d like to join the book club. This is a closed as books from the library are limited. Our monthly pub nights are proving popular. Currently these take place at the Bletchingley Arms. Lifts for non-drivers are available and suggestions for other pubs welcome – the Feathers have been rather disappointing for food in recent months.
We’re busy planning for our 2025 program, if you have any suggestions for speakers and days/evenings out – we’re listening. We have a rough plan up to June depending on speaker availability. More details soon. Meanwhile our AGM is in January – of you’d like to put yourselves forward for a post please do. We’re a very friendly committee.
Next year, we’d also like to promote regular social family friendly events to be held locally in Merstham such as our folk night and Merstham Movies – however, for some events where cost is involved, we do require a minimum of 40 attendees for them to go ahead. Partners, children and neighbours are very welcome to these events, and we’d encourage you to share amongst other groups you’re in and advertised widely on social media and via flyers and adverts in local shops, pubs, libraries and other public places. We’ll also investigate group visits to local National Garden Scheme gardens for the group which are always lovely in fine weather.
Good news re Merstham Hub – free tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits are available Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm. Hopefully in February 2025 the café at the hub may finally reopen for hot food at a charge.
Signing off now – We look forward to welcoming you to upcoming events and do invite your friends – see you soon
Liz
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