Club Activities
Monthly Meetings
Beginning in September each year, we host monthly meetings with entertaining, thought-provoking speakers on a variety of topics. Recent topics include 'Costume Design for Theatre and Film', 'All about Coffee' and'"A History of Jewellery'. These meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at St John's URC in Northwood. Non-members are welcome to attend their first meeting as our guest.
In winter, we have had a mini Christmas market at our November meeting, where lovely homemade and handcrafted products, mostly made by our members, were available to be purchased. At our December meeting, an appetizing holiday brunch will be provided. This year, members were also treated to a performance from the North London Military Wives' Choir. Our May meeting is our Annual General Meeting at which we present the proceeds of our fundraising efforts to our chosen charity, select a new charity and elect the club's board for the next year. We finish our club year with our annual summer lunch (in lieu of a June meeting) during which we celebrate another year of fun and friendship by enjoying a meal together and installing the next year's board.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
2 May 2024 (AGM)
Doors open at 9.30 am, meetings start at 10 am
6 June 2024 - Summer Lunch
Interest Groups
We have a variety of member-led interest groups. Some of these groups are long-standing, whereas others come and go as the interests of our members change with our changing membership. All members are welcome to participate in any (or all!) of the interest groups. Should a member have an interest that is not currently addressed, they are welcome to organize a new interest group. Most interest groups meet monthly, but some meet more often.
Current Interest Groups
Book groups
monthly 4th Thursday pm or monthly 3rd Wednesday am
FitSteps
weekly Mondays am
Crafty Ladies
monthly 2nd Friday am
Mah-jong
monthly 1st & 3rd Fridays am
Ladies Night Out
ad hoc evenings
Ladies Who Lunch
monthly different days and venues
Walking groups - various paces
weekly Wednesdays pm & monthly 3rd Thursday
Sunday Breakfast Club
monthly 1st Sunday am
Material Girls
monthly 2nd Thursday am
Gardeners
monthly 4th Friday am
Pub Quiz Night
monthly 3rd Tuesday evening
Out & About
Throughout the year various outings are planned to give both our international and UK-national members a chance to see and learn about various places in greater London. These outings are generally themed walking tours of London neighbourhoods, guided museum tours and West End shows. Occasionally, we go a little farther afield. Recent outings include a private guided tour of Bentley Priory, a theatre outing to see Witness for the Prosecution, private tours of Apsley House and Wellington Arch, a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament and a guided architectural tour of the Barbican in London . Our first outing for the 2023-24 Club year was in September to see the performance of The Lion King. In November, members enjoyed the amazing works of Monet in a different way at the Monet Immersive Experience in Brick Lane. We also went on a guided tour of the historic Freemasons Hall in central London, and learnt about the history, symbols and rituals of the society. In December, we got into the festive spirit with an outing to watch The Christmas Carol performance at the Alexandra Palace Theatre. In January 2024, we visited the Reubens & Women Exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery and enjoyed Tom Stoppard's Rock & Roll Play at Hampstead Theatre. In February, we visited Harrow School and learnt about its history and enjoyed a sunny morning exploring the Magna Carta park at Runnymeade In March, we had a fascinating architecture tour of the Barbican in London and in April, we had a backstage tour of the National Theatre. In June, members can look forward to a full day excursion to the Watts Gallery and Artists' Village in Surrey.
Guided Tour Barbican London
March 2024
Guided Tour Harrow School
February 2024
Guided Tour Freemans Hall
November 2023
Apsley House Private Tour
January 2023
North London Military Wives Choir
at our December 2023 Meeting
St John's all dressed for our December 2023 Christmas Meeting
Here is a round-up of our activities for May 2024:
Fundraising
Each year NAWC members select a local charity and raise funds to assist their work. Funds are raised throughout the year at club events and activities in various ways, such as raffles at our monthly meetings.
In just the last 25 years, NAWC has raised over £65,000 for various local charities. Past beneficiaries of our fundraising efforts include Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Peace Hospice, Northwood Live at Home, Watford Hospital Radio, Michael Sobell Hospice, RNIB Sunshine House and Hillingdon Women's Centre.
In May 2023, we presented the Centre for ADHD & Autism Support with a cheque for £3,000 from our fundraising efforts over the previous year. The Centre is a registered charity that aims to support, educate and empower individuals diagnosed with ADHD or who are autistic as well as their families and the community by raising awareness to change perceptions and break down barriers.
Our charity for 2023/24 is the 6th Northwood Scout Group. This registered charity offers 6 to 14-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to positively impact the community. Scouting helps individuals develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment.
The money that NAWC raises over the coming year will help the the 6th Northwood Scout Group update its camping equipment and/or replace the group's minivan, which needs to be replaced before the ULEZ expansion.
What members have to say ...
There is so much I enjoy about the Club - meeting women from so many different countries, and all different ages; the talks on a huge range of subjects, the guided walks and theatre trips, and joining in with several of the Interest Groups. It's lovely getting together regularly with a group of friendly, social women!
Pam, UK