Sunday 5 July 2026
- Hampstead Women's Club
- 24 hours ago
- 9 min read
HWC members enjoying our year end garden party
Hello!
Welcome to our last newsletter before the summer holidays in which we give you all the latest updates, key highlights, and a look at what’s coming up next.
On Friday evening, HWC members gathered in Manisha’s beautiful back garden for our annual end‑of‑year Summer Party. As the photos above show, it was a truly lovely night — perfect weather, delicious food (that cake!), and wonderful company. New and long‑standing members mingled effortlessly, and everyone embraced the pink theme with real enthusiasm. It was joyful, colourful, and exactly the kind of evening we love.
As summer settles in and the temperatures climb, our calendar naturally begins to slow down — but for those staying in Hampstead, we still have a handful of lovely events to enjoy. This week, London Bites meets at the French Society in West Hampstead for a delicious dinner. Next week brings our first Summer Drinks of the season at The Albert in Primrose Hill, with more gatherings to follow. Chicks ’n Flicks returns on 15 July for a matinee of The Invite, with time and location to be confirmed. Keep an eye on our website and WhatsApp group — members are always welcome to organise their own meet‑ups, cinema trips, walks, and more.
Looking ahead to September, we’re looking for a volunteer to lead our weekly Walkie‑Talkies group. If you enjoy exploring London on foot, chatting as you go, and helping members connect, this is a lovely and low‑pressure role. If you’d like to guide a walk now and then — or take on the role more regularly — we’d love to hear from you!
Have a wonderful summer and keep cool!
Joyce
Upcoming Events
London Bites - French Society in West Hampstead on 9 July at 18:45 1 SPOT LEFT
Summer Drinks - The Albert on 13 July at 18:30 NEW!
Chicks 'n Flicks - The Invite, location and time tbc, on 15 July matinee
Summer Drinks - The Holly Bush on 27 July at 18:30 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 3 TIX LEFT
Theatre - Golden Boy at Almeida Theatre on 29 September at 19:30 2 TIX LEFT
London Highlights - Beatles trip to Liverpool on 17 October at 7:00 4 TIX LEFT
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.
Summer Drinks
The Albert in Primrose Hill.
13 July at 18:30
HWC warmly welcomes you to join fellow HWC members for summer drinks at the Albert in Primrose Hill. Opposite the entrance to Regent’s Park and just around the corner from London Zoo, The Albert is a genuinely independent free house.
There's no need to book. Just drop in.
The Holly Bush in Hampstead
27 July at 18:30
HWC warmly welcomes you to join fellow HWC members for summer drinks at the Holly Bush Hampstead. Join us for a drink at this historic pub in the heart of Hampstead.
There's no need to book. Drop in if you can.
More dates for Summer Drinks will be added through the summer so keep checking the website for details If you have any difficulties, please WhatsApp Sarah on +1 (704) 8042040, or e-mail Surekha on greenglobe@hotmail.co.uk.
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.
See you in September!
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. See you in September!
Evenings Out
Check our calendar for any upcoming events.
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.
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. 3 TICKETS LEFT
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. 4 TICKETS LEFT
Link Up
A casual and informal way for current and new members to get together, chat and socialise. Check our calendar for upcoming events. See you in September!
London Bites
Every month members meet for lunch or dinner to support our local restaurants, chat and socialise. Join us! Check our calendar for upcoming events. See you in September!
Musicals
See our calendar for upcoming events.
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
Golden Boy
Almeida Theatre, London
29 September at 19:30
1930s New York, at the height of the Depression. Joe Bonaparte is a young violinist with extraordinary talent, until a chance at fame and fortune lures him into the brutal world of professional boxing.
Olivier Award winner Sam Yates (VANYA; Magpie) directs BAFTA winner Josh O’Connor (The Crown; Challengers) in this searing revival of Clifford Odets’ knockout American classic. Brought to life with a live string quartet, this propulsive drama explores ambition, identity, and the high price of success.
Tickets are £65 pp 2 TICKETS LEFT
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 looking for (a) volunteer(s) to lead this group. Please contact Claudine if you are interested or would like to know more.
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.
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!