The timetables for the week
The full timetable, the Town Hall room timetable and the Zoom timetable are available in the Office and on our website.
Monday Morning Talk
This week on Monday 29th January at 10.30 in Room 2.21 and on zoom, We welcome Averil Nottage who will tell us about Artists, Refugees and Spies in Belsize Park in the 1930s
Unfortunate News
Because of health problems, Alan Milward has had to give up being the editor of this weekly update, so for now, please send any contributions to Amalia or Gilli.
Alan volunteered to take over as editor from Amalia who as you probably have gathered, is trying to reduce her responsibilities as she grows older. Alan was doing a magnificent job which he really enjoyed and will be sadly missed, especially by Amalia. We wish him well.
We now urgently need a volunteer who will help Amalia with the preparation of this weekly newsletter.
From Richard Arthur:
Getting into the Town Hall
Too many members are forgetting their entry cards to the Town Hall which has created major problems for WAC Reception staff and our office staff. This cannot continue!
We do need to be identifiable as there are vulnerable people sharing the building with us. Please do make a real effort to remember to bring your card and lanyard with you when you set out. Sadly, if you continue to forget it we may have to refuse to let you in at all.
Two important questions:
Do we need to bring our lanyards? Yes, they are essential for security to assess whether or not you are a legitimate visitor.
Is it ok to let in someone else on my card? No. This means people are getting into the building without proper record or authority. Please do not agree to letting anyone in who hasn’t brought a card of their own – and don’t ask someone else if you have forgotten your own card
We need volunteers to assist in the Office.
You will be working with a very supportive. friendly team. The weekly shifts are 9.45 – 13.00 or 13.00 -16.15. Computer skills are needed – but if not computer savvy there are other general duties. Please email the Office if you would like to join us.
INFORMATION ABOUT CLASSES
There are two exciting new Exercise classes:
A new Yoga class began last week on Fridays at 12.10 in room 2.21 with Shelley Lea. Shelley says: ‘This class is for every level of fitness and aims to enhance your body and mind. We will perform “postures” to improve your digestive, circulatory, glandular, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems. Please come with an empty stomach (2 hours after a snack) and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Yoga is practised in bare feet.‘
Qi Gong is due to begin on 28th February, weekly in room 2.21 at 12.50.with Josephine Lee, Josephine says: ‘Qi gong (pronounced Chi-gung) is an ancient Chinese practice and translates as Energy (Chi) and Work or Skill (Gung). Qi gong is a coming together of mind, body and breath through gentle movements which support the flow of energy throughout he body. It gives feelings of relaxation and calm. No equipment is required. You may prefer comfortable clothing so that you can move freely’
Rooms – a clarification:
From Stephen Barry
The London Miscellany class on Wednesday January 31 will be in Room 1.33 at 14.00. We look at the recently restored Boston Manor, a Jacobean manor house, and Osterley Park and House, a Georgian country estate, which are close to one another in west London.
From then on the class moves to Room 1.29, starting on Feb 7 and then alternating with the new Medicine class as below.
Medicine in History. This class with Alan Silman will be in Room 1.29 on 31st January at 14.00, alternating thereafter with London Miscellany.
Film Classes
Wally – we are so pleased that you feel well enough to show a film on Wednesday, and we are looking forward to it
From Ken Baldry
European history – Wednesday Jan 31st 11.40 – 12.40 (Room 2.21). Next week’s is Talk 126: Peter the Great of Russia with 85 slides. The following week is Talk 127: Loose ends from the early 18th Century: Turks; Britain; Spain & Georg becomes British King George with 84 slides. The full programme is on http://www.art-science.com/history-talks.html
From Rachel Tyndall – Walking by Water
On Wednesday 31st January we will meet at the entrance to Wandsworth Town Railway Station at 1.05pm. The 12.52 from Waterloo stopping at Vauxhall (12.56), Queen’s Town Road and Clapham Junction (13.02) arrives then. This walk is four and a half miles along the Wandle River to Colliers Wood underground station. There is a strong industrial history as the Wandle was good for water power and driving mills; less good for navigation. Please let me know (email or text) by the evening of Tuesday 30th January if you intend to join me. Walks will be cancelled if the weather is bad: persistent rain, snow or ice
From Yvonne Dove
Thursday, Room 2.26 at 11.40: Secular and Mythological Art:
This week we are going to continue with Renaissance Florence and examine the life of Botticelli and some of his mythological paintings such as Primavera, Birth of Venus and Mars and Venus.
From Valerie Wilson Trower
Below is a photograph of the Design History and Critical Studies groups enjoying a recent visit to the Design Museum

More to brighten up these Wintry days:
Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself, ‘Lillian, you should have remained a virgin.’ From Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)
I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: – ‘No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.’ From Eleanor Roosevelt
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending – and to have the two as close together as possible. From George Burns.
Best wishes from the team.


