Sunday 1 February 2026
- Joyce Moeller
- Feb 1
- 11 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
I know February is technically still winter, but the sound of the birds early morning, the sight of snow drops and crocuses and the smell of the first forsythia brightens my mood on the greyest of days. How long will "this first" spring last?I’m sure you’re all keen to hear about our upcoming events and filling up your diary, but right now I wish to draw your attention to the volunteers that make this happen. The HWC community depends on the dedication of our wonderful volunteers and many have been in their posts for several years. Board positions specifically are held for a maximum of three years. To help keep our club thriving we’re seeking new volunteers ahead of our election in April for our 2026-2027 club year. We are now inviting members to stand for the following board positions: President, VP of Hospitality, VP of Programmes, and Secretary.
The President leads our monthly board meetings and represents the club at external events.
The VP of Hospitality organises our key annual events, including Christmas, the January AGM, and the Garden Party.
The VP of Programmes manages our overall calendar, ensuring a good variety of activities without scheduling clashes.
The Secretary takes meeting minutes and oversees the nominating committee when positions become available.
If a board role isn’t quite what you’re looking for, we also need organisers for a number of activities: Evenings Out (three events a year), London Bites, and Game Night. These roles are fun, rewarding, and a great way to get more involved with the club.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please email secretary@hwcinlondon.co.uk and make a note in your diary to meet with the nominating committee on 9 March, 11am–12pm.Thank you for considering giving a little of your time to help shape the year ahead!
Have a great week!!
Joyce
Upcoming Events
Walkie-Talkies - Kensington Gardens on 2 February at 10:30 3 SPACES LEFT
Wellness - "Secrets of a great relationship" talk on 5 February at 7pm 7 SPACES LEFT
Community - Tea with Age UK at Henderson Court on 6 February at 1:15pm
Walkie-Talkies - East of Regent Park on 9 February at 10:30am
Sip 'n Social - at Tannin & Oak West Hampstead on 9 February at 7:30pm
Game Night - at member's home in Highgate on 11 February at 7pm 1 SPACE LEFT
London Bites - at Terra Moderna in Belsize Park on 12 February at 7:30 2 SPACES LEFT
HWC Speaker Series - on 18 February is CANCELLED
Evenings out/Book Share - at The Fable on 19 February at 7pm NEW
Musicals - Unfortunate: the Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch on 24 February at 7:30pm JOIN WAITLIST
Theater - Bird Grove at Hampstead Theater, Swiss Cottage on 18 March at 7:30pm 1 SPACE LEFT
Highlights of London - Royal Ascot on 18 June. NEW RESERVE & PAY NOW
Check our calendar for more details and to sign up. Remember to log in before you can sign up!
If the sign up is full, there is often a wait list to which you can be added. Life is unpredictable and spots may open up nearer the time.
If you signed up but cannot make it, please inform the committee leader as soon as possible so we can give your spot to someone who may be waiting.
Arts & Antiques
Highlights Tour at the National Poprtrait Gallery
St Martin's Place
26 February at 11:40pm
This guided tour lasts for 45 minutes, covering a few key portraits and the building , with drop- in spots limited, so arrive in early.
Sign up is full.
Book Club
Wild Swans by Jung Chang 2 February at 7:30pm
Taken from Goodreads ‘The story of three generations in twentieth-century China that blends the intimacy of memoir and the panoramic sweep of eyewitness history—a bestselling classic in thirty languages with more than ten million copies sold around the world, now with a new introduction from the author.
Sign up is full. Please do not attend if you have been unwell or in contact with anyone with covid or flu. If you can no longer attend or if you have any problems on the night please contact Claudine on 07827604151 or email me on claudinee@yahoo.com
Reading Ahead:
March – Service by Sarah Gilmartin
April – All Fours by Miranda July
Book Share
The Fable Bar & Restaurant
19 February at 7pm
For the third consecutive year, our annual Book Share and Cocktails at the Fable is back! We've reserved the 'book table' where we'll share our favourite books over cocktails and nibbles. Everyone is encouraged to bring up to three books that they've enjoyed and are willing to share with others. Once we've discussed our books, we get the chance to choose books to take away. The Fable is known for its fairy tale inspired cocktails. A £20 refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot as the table has a limited number of spaces. Your deposit will be refunded following your attendance at the event. All drinks and food purchases are the responsibility of members. Sign up online.
Chicks 'n' Flicks
Check our calendar for upcoming events in February
Community Outreach
Henderson Court is a daytime activity centre for the elderly run by Age UK Camden. Please join us for an afternoon of cake and conversation, joining Age UK to chat with members and serve food, tea and coffee.
6 February 1:15pm - 3:00pm
Join us for tea & cakes (home made always appreciated) and conversation with some of Hampstead older residents.
Sign up online.
Craft & Chat
Join us for craft and chat (and wine and cake!). People wishing to learn to knit or crochet welcome and materials will be provided for you to learn with. Check our calendar for upcoming events
Evenings Out
Bookshare & Cocktails
The Fable Bar & Restaurant
19 February at 7pm
For the third consecutive year, our annual Book Share and Cocktails at the Fable is back! We've reserved the 'book table' where we'll share our favourite books over cocktails and nibbles. Everyone is encouraged to bring up to three books that they've enjoyed and are willing to share with others. Once we've discussed our books, we get the chance to choose books to take away. The Fable is known for its fairy tale inspired cocktails. A £20 refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot as the table has a limited number of spaces. Your deposit will be refunded following your attendance at the event. All drinks and food purchases are the responsibility of members.
Sign up online.
Games Night
11 February at 7pm
At a member's home in Highgate, address will be given once signed up.
Join us for an evening filled with friendly competition as we play array of board games. Don’t miss our next gathering—let’s keep the games rolling! No prior experience or expertise required - we play games that are easy to learn! Sign up online.
Highlights of London
Royal Ascot Day at the Races
18 June
Fancy getting all dressed up and having an excuse to buy a fascinator?? Then sign up for HWCs day at Royal Ascot on 18th June. A day filled with glamour, featuring their oldest and most prestigious race, the Gold Cup. We will either take a train and taxis or have a few volunteer drivers to get us there. Get your place now in the calendar and Bridget will send you details to pay for your ticket.The tickets will cost around 60 pounds and you need to pay upfront to reserve your place. We will either take a train and taxis or have a few volunteer drivers to get us there. Get your place now in the calendar and Bridget will send you details to pay for your ticket. The tickets will cost around 60 pounds and you need to pay upfront to reserve your place.
Link Up
A casual and informal way for current and new members to get together, chat and socialise.
Check the calendar for upcoming events.
London Bites (formerly Pub Lunch)
Terra Moderna
England's Lane, Belsize Park
12 February from 7:30pm
Join us for a delicious Antipodean/Italian meal and lively conversation at Terra Moderna in Belsize Park. We get 20% off the entire menu!
Sign up online.
Musicals
Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch
The Other Palace Theater (Victoria Station)
24 February at 7:30pm
Join your fellow HWC friends for a delightful night out to see the musical – UNFORTUNATE: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch. A musical parody based on the classic tale of the Little Mermaid.
The five-star, sold-out, splash-hit Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch returns to London for a limited eight-week run in 2026. Unfortunate dives into the story of everyone’s favourite Disney diva, as she spills the tea on what really goes on under the sea in this tale of sex, sorcery and suckers! It is sure to be a great night out!
Tickets: £45
Sign up is full, get on the waitlist! If there is a waitlist I will try to purchase more tickets. We will also try to meet for dinner before the show.
Pickleball
Royal Free Rec Club
Fleet Rd, London NW3 2QG
Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:30pm
Cost per term: £160 (10 coaching sessions)
Pickleball was created in 1965 and has about 40 million regular players in the US. its still relatively new in the UK.
JOIN THE WAITLIST - We regularly have spaces available if anyone would like to sub in or just give the sport a try.
Sip & Social
Tanin & OakWest Hampstead
9 February at 7:30 pm
Join us for some wine sipping at out favourite wine bar in West Hampstead! Sip and social is a great and relaxed way of meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones. This sip and social will be held at Tannin & Oak, West Hampstead's favourite wine bar. Feel free to order drinks and food (at your own cost) or just come for a chat and a catch up. If you are new to the club it is a great way of finding out what we have on offer and what we do as well as meeting some of the older members who are a wealth of advice and knowledge.
If this event is full please sign up to the waiting list so we can get a bigger table.
Speaker Series
We meet at a member's house in NW3 – (address given after sign up). The speaker will give a talk for half an hour followed by half an hour of discussion. We will then go to Must Wine Bar where management have given us discounts on food and wine.
Depth psychology - wisdom and tools for today from the analytical movement Freud, Jung, Adler, Klein by Talia Price
18 February at 7pm
Event Cancelled
Writing and submitting novels and the fiction publishing process by Stacia
12 March at 7pm
Sign up online. If event is full, sign up for the waiting list and we will try to get a bigger table at Must.
Tennis
Globe Lawn Tennis Club
190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL
Come join us at the Globe Tennis Club in Belsize Park for weekly tennis lessons. Coach led lessons combine warm ups, drills, cardio games and match play adjusted to meet the needs of each group. Whether you are new to tennis, a bit rusty or a regular player it's a great way to combine exercise with meeting fellow members!
The Winter Term starts the week of 12 January 2026 for 10 weeks (no lesson w/o 16 February).
Tues, Wed or Thurs from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Globe Lawn Tennis Club (190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL)
Cost per term: £275 (11 sessions)
Intermediate – Tuesdays: 1 space
Beginner – Wednesdays: join waitlist
Mixed – Thursdays: 1 space
Theatre
Bird Grove
Hampstead Theater, Swiss Cottage
18 March at 7:30pm
1841. Mary Ann Evans is of marriageable age - just. Her father, Robert, has recently moved with her to Bird Grove House, with the sole purpose of finding her a suitable husband through the local church. But Mary Ann’s remarkable intellect and growing self-confidence are forming progressive new ideas in her mind; ideas that challenge her father’s most strongly held beliefs.
Fuelled by every new book she reads and a burgeoning friendship with local radicals, Mary Ann finds it increasingly difficult to accept the rules of the world around her - bringing her into direct and bitter conflict with the father she adores. But perhaps that is the only way forward: to break every societal convention expected of her, find her voice, and become the writer she has always dreamt of being. After all, who can suppress the astounding gifts of future literary titan, George Eliot?
Alexi Kaye Campbell’s witty and topical new play questions how we can live alongside those we disagree with, and places centre stage the untold story of one of England’s greatest writers, in a poignant exploration of family ties and self-determination.
Alexi’s previous work includes the Olivier Award-winning The Pride (Royal Court/West End), Apologia (Bush/West End) and Sunset at the Villa Thalia (National Theatre). Anna Ledwichreturns to Hampstead, where her previous credits include The Billionaire Inside Your Head,Labyrinth and the Olivier nominated productions of Dry Powder and Four Minutes Twelve Seconds.
Ticket price £55. Sign up online. 1 space left
Walkie Talkies
Walkie Talkies is an interest group that meets up every Monday morning for walks and chats over coffee. The walks take place across London and we visit parks and interesting areas of London. If you would like to join the WhatsApp walkie talkies group please contact Maria at email below.
2nd February
Kensington Gardens
Meeting Point: 10:30am at exit of Lancaster Gate Tube Station
9th February
East of Regent's Park
Meeting Point: 10:30am at exit of Great Portland Street Tube Station
16th February
Whitechapel
Meeting Point: 10:30am at exit of Whitechapel Tube Station
23rd February
Waterloo to London Bridge
Meeting Point: 10:30am underneath the clock at Waterloo Railway Station
2nd March
Canary Wharf Art Walk
Meeting Point: 10:30am at the clocks on Reuters Plaza near Jubilee line exit at Canary Wharf Tube Station
Wellness
Wellness meets up monthly for an event focused on nurturing our mind, body and spirit. Led by Dr. Summya, GP & wellness leader, this group is all about making health fun, friendly, and achievable.
“PUT ON YOUR OWN MASK FIRST”: Secrets to Great Relationships
5 February 7pm - 9pm
Member's home - details will be shared when signed up.
Are there relationships you are struggling with in your life? Your partner, your kids, friends, work colleagues? While our previous workshop on stoicism showed you how to accept people as they are (because you can't control and you can't change them), this workshop gives you tools to improve your relationships. From the power of a 60 second hug to a mindfulness exercise designed to help you see the relationship more positively.
HWC is running a series of workshops to help you live your best life. To give you the resilience to deal with any challenge that comes your way. Looking after you isn’t selfish. You need to put your own mask on before helping others. The workshops are offered for free in exchange for donations to GiveDirectly.Future workshops:
Self care and active challenges - 26th February 2026
The power of appreciation - 5th March 2026
Let's get physical - easy exercise - TBD Tuesday 10th March 2026
Calm your money worries - TBD 19th March 2026
Family and Friends are also welcome!
Sign up online.
Men's Auxiliary of HWC
The Men's Auxiliary of HWC meets on one Thursday a month at a pub in Hampstead. To participate, have your partner text Patrick on 07827 604148 to join the WhatsApp group.
APPI Physio & Pilates
HWC is proud to partner with APPI Physio & Pilates!
All HWC members enjoy 15% off all services for the duration of their time at appi (excluding special offers and memberships).
MUST Wine Bar
MUST Wine Bar sponsors our speaker series. They passionately believe wine is to be enjoyed, explored and experienced by everyone and with more than 70 wines by the glass from over 20 countries and 18 fine wines, they truly are a wine lover or enthusiasts dream...all in a totally relaxed, cozy and welcoming wine bar environment.
FIWAL
FIWAL’s aim is to broaden friendship, understanding and communication amongst international women in London. Over the years, we have achieved this through FIWAL’s own events as well as the wonderful events organised by our members where all FIWAL Members have the opportunity to connect, share and celebrate. Besides the social value of these events, funds are often raised to assist with charitable causes relating to their homeland or their local communities here in the UK.
2025-26 Executive Board
President - Manisha Walia
Executive Vice President - Michele Higgins-Glazer
Vice President of Communications - Joyce Moeller
Vice President of Membership - Susan Kennedy-Scott
Vice President of Programs - Claudine Goldingham
Secretary - Bridget O’Donovan
Treasurer - Maureen Clark-Darby
Website Manager - Jane Talbot
Standing Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs
Arts & Antiques - Afsaneh Yasreby, Minoo Tuffield
Community Outreach - Caroline Smith, Sian Jones
Evenings Out - Marilyn Kendall, Louisa Martin, Pauline Seow-Hellinikakis
Highlights of London - Cathy Herbrand
Hospitality - Michele Higgins-Glazer
Link-Up - Pauline Seow-Hellinikakis
Theatre - Madeleine Hodgkin
Courtesy Reminder
If you are not able to attend an event for which you've signed up, whether it's a free or paid activity, please contact the leader to let her know. Many of our activities have waiting lists, so no-shows and last-minute cancellations can prevent another member from participating. Thank you!