Sunday 28 June 2026
- Hampstead Women's Club
- Jun 28
- 9 min read
Hello!
Welcome to this week's newsletter in which we give you all the latest updates, key highlights, and a look at what’s coming up next.
We’ve got a great mix of activities coming up this week. Walkie‑Talkies will stroll from Mayfair to Soho on Monday. On Friday, our Community team joins Age UK for tea with Hampstead's older residents at Henderson Court, followed by the our year end Summer Garden Party at Manisha’s house that evening. We’ll round out the week on Sunday at the Hampstead Street Fair, celebrating with our local community. Come say hello at our stand, close to Whitestone Pond.
Have a great week,
Joyce
Upcoming Events
London Bites - French Society in West Hampstead on 9 July at 18:45
Chicks 'n Flicks - The Invite, location and time tbc, on 15 July matinee NEW
Sip & Social - The Old White Bear on 14 September at 19:30
HWC - Kick Off meeting & lunch at Freemasons Arms on 15 September at 10:00
London Highlights - Staterooms at Buckingham Palace on 26 September at 10:00
London Highlights - Beatles trip to Liverpool on 17 October at 7:00 NEW
Click the button below for details about What’s On and to sign up. If an activity is full, you can join the waitlist — spots often open closer to the date. If you’ve signed up but can’t attend, please cancel as soon as possible (via our website or the Spaces app) so someone on the waitlist can take your place.
Annual Garden Party
Manisha's Garden in NW2
3 July 19:00 - 22:00
We’ll be gathering in a gorgeous garden setting for an evening of sunshine (hopefully), laughter (definitely), and a fully catered dinner that promises to be delicious from start to finish. All you need to bring is your brightest smile… and something pink. Pale pink, hot pink, floral pink, accidental‑laundry‑disaster pink — it all counts.
Partners and non-members are welcome.
Ticket sale is now closed.
Kick Off Meeting
Freemasons Arms
15 September 10:00 - 13:00
You are invited! Come celebrate HWC, meet our interest group leaders and find out what they have planned for the year. Join in for the quiz and win fabulous prizes in the raffle. Sign up is open.
If you are a General Board member or interest group leader and would like to join the lunch at the Freemasons after the event (at your own cost), please use your admin privileges to access the event in the calendar and sign yourself up as a guest using your own name. The lunch sign‑up will be restricted to those with admin access. Sign up is open.
Arts & Antiques
V&A East Museum
24 September at 11:00
We are done for the summer. See you in September when we will visit the V&E East Museum. You can already sign up online.
Book Club
The Loneliness of Sonia & Sonny by Kirin Desai (670 pages)
21 September at 19:30
Taken from Goodreads: An aspiring writer homesick for India, she turns to an older artist for inspiration and intimacy, a man who will cast a dark spell on the next many years of her life. In Brooklyn, Sunny is lonely too. A struggling journalist originally from Delhi, he is both beguiled and perplexed by his American girlfriend and the country in which he plans to find his future. As Sonia and Sunny each become more and more alienated, they begin to question their understanding of happiness, human connection, and where they belong.
We are done for the summer and look forward to reading and discussing books with our members in September. Our book list for next year has been finalized and can be found here: https://claudinescomments.wordpress.com/
Book Share
Please join us for coffee and cake, and bring along a few of your favourite books to lend or swap. Each member is invited to bring up to three books they’ve enjoyed, and we’ll chat about our choices over a hot drink and cake before swapping them with one another. See you in September!
Chicks 'n Flicks
The Invite
15 July matinee
The cinema and time will be posted on the website once cinemas announce listing information.
Two couples, played by Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, connect and collide in this hit Sundance dinner party dramedy.
Joe and Angela’s marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbours for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark or lit the match that burns it all down?
Olivia Wilde’s THE INVITE has been getting rave reviews - ‘the funniest film of the year’ says Time Out.
Chicks 'n Flicks meets once a month to catch the latest blockbuster or an art house film at one of our local cinemas during the day.
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 with some of Hampstead older residents.
Check our calendar for upcoming events.
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
Check our calendar for any upcoming events.
We're done for the summer. See you in September!
Games Night
Join us for a fun evening filled with friendly competition as we play an 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!
Check our calendar for upcoming events.
Hampstead Street Fair
Heath Street, Hampstead
5 July 12:00 - 17:00
Heath Street will be closed to traffic and will be lined with over 110 stalls selling artisan crafts, designer fashions, and international food and drink. Give yourself plenty of time. We suggest you come hungry as this street food is to die for.
It's a fantastic day out for the whole family with entertainment for everyone including a funfair, the Sport Zone, and a Circus School for children. All this to a background of great live music on THE BIG STAGE - you may want to dance in the street!
Free entry.
HWC will have a stand at the fair. Come find us to say hello and help recruit new members.
Highlights of London
Buckingham Palace State Rooms
26 September at 10:00
The 19 State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are the lavish public areas where the monarch and Royal Family entertain guests for official functions and ceremonies. They open to the public during the summer and we will have afternoon tea in the Palace gardens after the event.
We have secured 8 tickets. Tickets cost £33 each. Sign up is now open.
You can buy your tickets via the calendar on our website.
Beatles Day Trip to Liverpool
17 October at 7:00 (early start!)
Join us for a fun day to Liverpool and visit the hometown of Beatles. Enjoy entry to The Beatles Story Exhibition and dive into the band’s remarkable history, followed by the iconic Magical Mystery Tour, which includes a visit to the legendary Cavern Club. You’ll also have free time to explore Liverpool at your own pace and take in the vibrant Albert Dock Complex. Along the way, see famous landmarks such as Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, and Liverpool’s Lime Street. The price includes a return train journey from Euston, with reserved seating for the comfortable 2 hour 30 minute ride.
Cost: £199. Sign‑up is open.
Link Up
A casual and informal way for current and new members to get together, chat and socialise. Check our calendar for upcoming events. We're done for the summer. See you in September!
London Bites
French Society
77 Mill Lane, West Hampstead
9 July at 18:45
London Bites meets up about once a month to explore new and local restaurants. This month we will eat at West Hampstead's French Society. A bistro? Yes. But not just any. Parisian charm flirting with modern soul, according to their website.
This venture is brought to life by the same famille behind Patron in Kentish Town. At its centre is Louis, chef de cuisine & maestro des plats, whose hands have shaped the kitchen at Patron for over 7 years. With a deep understanding of French culinary tradition, Louis now brings his vision to this new chapter in his journey, a reflection of the care & passion he has poured into every dish over the years, a petite sœur bistro that draws inspiration from its predecessor while embracing a new unique direction.
Sign up online.
Musicals
See our calendar for upcoming events.
We're done for the summer. See you in September!
Pickleball
Royal Free Rec Club
Fleet Rd, London NW3 2QG
Wednesdays 13:00 - 14:30
Pickleball is a fast-growing, low-impact paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played on a small court with a low net, 2-4 players use solid paddles to hit a hollow, perforated plastic ball. It is accessible to all ages and skill levels, emphasising strategy, quick reflexes, and social interaction.
Contact us if you are interested in playing next year.
Sip & Social
The Old White Bear Pub
Hampstead
14 September at 19:30
Sip & Social is a great and relaxed way of meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones. 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.
We are taking a break during the summer months. September's Sip & Social will be held at The Old White Bear Pub in Hampstead. Located on the edge of Hampstead Heath and within an easy walk of Hampstead High Street, they’re proud to be one of the last truly independent pubs in the area.
Sign up online.
Speaker Series
Mah Jong
by Pauline
Freemason's Arms
23 September at 19:00
Our first speaker series talk of the new year will be given by Pauline on the game Mah Jong, a tile-based game of strategy, skill and luck. Usually played by three or our people, the goal is to draw and discard tiles to be the first to build a winning hand - typically four sets of three or four tiles plus a pair (source: Wikipedia). We will have a crash course to learn the basics and then have opportunity to play.
The talk is free, however drinks and food are purchased at your own expense.
Sign up online.
Upcoming topics include Public Speaking, Supporting the Arts, Calligraphy, Numerology, Rural Sustainability and others. If there is a topic that you think you would like to talk about next year at our Speaker's Series, please contact Claudine on claudinee@yahoo.com.
Tennis
Globe Lawn Tennis Club
190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL
Come join us for weekly tennis lessons at the Globe Tennis Club in Belsize Park. 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!
Tues, Wed or Thurs from 10:00 to 11:30
Globe Lawn Tennis Club (190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL)
Cost per term: £275 (11 sessions)
Intermediate – Tuesdays
Beginner – Wednesdays
Mixed – Thursdays
Theatre
Some Woman
National Theater, London
20 Oct at 19:30
‘I don’t want to be this woman’
Julie Robson is used to being overlooked. At work, at home, everywhere in between. But when an encounter on a station platform goes wrong and all eyes are suddenly on Julie, something shifts within her and she feels compelled to make a stand. What happens when an ordinary woman pits herself against the forces that shape the world? What happens when she refuses to be quiet?
Sign up is full.
If you have any questions, please contact Madeleine at
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.
We are done for the summer. See you in September!
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.
See our calendar for upcoming events.
We are done for the summer. See you in September!
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.
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.
Click here to view their latest newsletter.
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 cancel your RSVP on our website or the Spaces App. Many of our activities have waiting lists, so no-shows and last-minute cancellations could prevent another member from participating. Thank you!