Thursday 17 February 2011

garter stitch 100 this sunday


Back to Basics would like to invite you to go along and join in their event this Sunday 20th (2-5pm) in support of Garterstitch 100's 100 million stitches for 100 million women initiative linking to International Women's day. You'll find Back to Basics at 29 Old Ford Road, just along a few doors from St Margaret's House.

It is estimated that 100 million women are missing from the world due to gender discrimination. Each stitch will represent a woman "missing" for reasons including gender provoked infanticide or abortion, sex trafficking and complications in childbirth.

Please take along your creativity and a cake to share if you'd like to. They will provide, tea, needles and yarn (but if you'd like to bring your own you are very welcome!). If you haven't knitted before they can give you some coaching. Crocheters also invited!

It's a lovely space with lovely people - you'll have fun.

(The photo comes from a little knitting session that Elizabeth was asked to run for a women's group at the Osmani Centre last week.  We really enjoyed our morning.   It was great to work with such attentive students and share the knitting love.  It's what we're all about, after all.) 

Tuesday 8 February 2011

february meetings, in and out


Hope you can join us for our meetings and outings this month.  Inspired by the new film exploring the challenges faced by King George VI, we are kicking off with a night out to see The King's Speech this Thursday 10th February.  Meet us at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA.  The show starts at 8.30pm, but we'll start assembling just after 8.

At our evening meeting on on Tuesday 15th February, we'll be following up with a talk on stammering by Julia Ammon from the British Stammering Association.  Meet as usual at St Margaret's House, 21Old Ford Road, E2 9PL,  7.30 for 8pm start.  We'll provide tea, coffee and more fun, though feel free to bring a bottle too if you wish.  Non- members welcome (suggested £3 donation).


Our coffee morning on Friday 18th February is a little further afield, this time to the Foundling Museum, Brunswick Square to see their exhibition 'Threads of Feeling", a display of the fabrics mothers left to identify their children when they left them at the original Foundling Hospital.  There will also be a chance to see other exhibits at the museum.  We'll be meeting in the cafe at 10.30 and our group visit will start at 11am.  Please note that there is an entry fee of £5 per person to pay.


Finally, don't forget that we'll be serving tea and cake at the WI Crafts Day this Saturday 12th February at the Women's Library, Old Castle Street, EI (just round the corner from Aldgate East station) , 11- 4pm.   This family event will bring together WI members from different federations to provide a historical context to WI crafts and the role that the WI has played in saving traditional crafts.  It will demonstrate some of the contemporary work of the WI and provide an opportunity to learn more with stalls, display and demonstrations, including patchwork quilting, knitting, lacework and rag rugs.  YOu'll also be able to see Handmade Tales, the current exhibition.  It would be lovely to see you there supporting the WI and the Women's Library.

Busy, busy, busy....