These past two months have flown by – probably helped by all the Bank Holidays in May.

Tennis in Queen’s Park and the Friday Park Walks in a variety of local green spaces continue to be very popular. Lately we’ve met up for a gentle walk (& often a coffee afterwards) in Regent’s Park, Gladstone Park, Roundwood Park, Hampstead Heath, Kensal Green Cemetery, and even slightly farther afield in Kew Gardens. The lengthier weekend walks, including a pub lunch along the way, have taken us from Wendover to Princes Risborough, and from Shiplake to Henley.

In May we had a ‘Bravery to Sing’ workshop which began with sharing our memories/hang-ups about singing and ended with us moving around the space belting out a tune! At our April meeting we got crafty and put our hands to felt decorations in a session led by one of our experienced embroiderers. It was lovely to welcome five new members over the course of the two months.

There was a wonderful outing to Wisley to explore the beautiful garden just as the wisteria was at its peak, the Book Group discussed Middle England by Jonathan Coe, and Dining Club enjoyed a lovely sunlit evening at the Italian restaurant ‘La Ville’.

A big highlight for me was attending the national Annual Meeting in Cardiff representing not only our WI but six other local groups as well. From the moment the Pimm’s was handed round onboard the coach to singing Jerusalem with over 2,000 women from all the across the country it was an uplifting experience which reminded me what a fantastic organisation the WI is. The fundamental role it has played in campaigning for a host of really important causes combined with the opportunity for making so many new friends must be why it is still going strong after 108 years!