Sunday 8 May 2026
- Hampstead Women's Club
- 10 hours ago
- 13 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.
This week we’ll be sipping cocktails at the Spaniard's Inn, watching the Devil Wears Prada 2 at the Everyman in Hampstead, catching up over a hot drink at Greenberry cafe in Primrose Hill and learning how to meditate to bring some calm into our busy lives. If you are interested in attending any of these events, there may still be a spot left or one may open up last minute. Sign up on our website or on the Spaces by Wix App.
Our annual Garden Party will be held on 3 July — and Manisha has generously opened up her lovely garden for the occasion. This year’s theme is Pretty in Pink. Yes, pink! Any shade, any style, any level of commitment. Think rose, blush, bubblegum, fuchsia, “I‑accidentally‑washed‑my‑whites‑with‑a‑red‑sock” — it all counts. If your wardrobe is suspiciously low on pink, fear not. You could:
Go bold — dye your hair pink for the day
Go subtle — pin on a pink flower and call it a fashion statement
Go creative — accessorise, improvise, or simply radiate pink energy
All entirely optional… but highly encouraged for maximum garden‑party sparkle!
Have a great week,
Joyce
A Word From Our Outgoing President
Let me take you back to July 2017. We had just moved from Seattle to London. The fourth move since I got married, the seventh in my life, if you count living away from home as a student. It was both daunting and exciting. My girls were 4 & 7. I was focused on getting them settled in school, setting up a new home, finding a job in the healthcare field, and of course, making friends.
A few months later the kids were in school; we were exploring our new city. My job interviews were going nowhere fast, but something else was missing. The “good mornings” at school drop off were getting stale because there was no follow up. I thought, “Let me get through the next couple years. We’ll be fine,” while silently cursing my husband under my breath. I was missing my friends and my community.
A fellow school mum suggested I look into the Hampstead Women’s Club to get out, meet people, and find activities to do. Once I stepped into this club, I never looked back! I got involved right away, serving as an interest group leader for Family Activities, moving on to Evenings Out, then joining the Executive Board as the Membership VP, and finally, for the last 3 years, as President.
As President, I am proud of many accomplishments. Three key ones I want to name are:
Day trips to different places in England, such as the Downton Abbey tour, the Oxford Christmas market, and Bletchley Park.
Starting a speaker series and allowing members to present topics from their areas of expertise, such as financial matters, aromatherapy, and psychoanalysis.
The new website! Thanks to finding a very capable website manager who took the bulls by the horn and jumped straight onto this project, testing it at every point to make sure there were no flaws before we launched it.
I am also happy for the opportunities that being President of the club has given me personally.
I represented HWC at the FIWAL board meetings, where I was able to network with all the international women’s clubs in London.
As a member of FIWAL I was invited to represent HWC to the international Diplomats and their spouses new to London and tell them a bit about our club.
I was also invited to other FIWAL member club events, such as a travel documentary hosted by the Turkish Ambassador and presented at BAFTA and a classical concert at a private home in Chelsea.
Long story short, nothing much came of those initial job interviews, but my time spent as a volunteer, leading the charity committee at my girls’ prep school and especially running this club, has given me the experience to secure my next professional job, as Regional Director of The Athena Network, building and managing a network of women entrepreneurs and business owners.
Thank you to all of you for helping me find my way, to find my passion, and to build a career that is both fun and rewarding. Before I go, I’d like to thank my board members, past and present – Executive VP’s Michele H & Nikki, Secretaries Tracy & Bridget, Communications Joyce, Membership Susan, Treasurers Susanna & Maureen, Website managers Michelle C & Jane, and last but not least, Claudine, VP Programs and your new President.
I’d also like to invite you to the annual Garden Party, which I’ll be hosting at my home on July 3rd. Look out for details on the calendar. See you then!
Upcoming Events
Wellness - Meditation for beginners on 15 May at 10:00 NEW
Walkie-Talkies - City walk: Aldgate to St Paul's on 18 May at 10:30
London Bites - Carmel Queen's Park on 19 May at 12:30
Book Share - Brad & Dills on 26 May at 14:00 NEW
Evenings Out - Voices with Guy Chambers in Hampstead on 27 May at 20:00 1 TICKET LEFT
Arts & Antigues - Serpentine Galleries on 28 May at 11:00
Sip & Social - King William IV Pub on 8 June at 19:30
Theatre - Black Comedy at Orange Tree Theatre on 16 June at 20:00 2 TICKETS LEFT
Speaker Series - My career in Dentistry by Diana on 17 June at 19:00 NEW
Evenings Out - Zoo Nights at London Zoo on 19 June at 18:00 NEW
Click the button below for more details about What's On our activity calendar and to 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 cancel it as soon as possible (via our website or Spaces App) so we can give your spot to someone who may be waiting.
Garden Party
Manisha's Home in NW2
3 July 19:00 - 22:00
Join us for a lovely evening of great company and delicious food and drink at our annual year-end Garden Party. See details at the top of the newsletter. Partners and non-members are welcome.
Ticket Prices (includes dinner & drinks) :
Board member £25
Regular member £30
Non-member/Partner £35
Sign up online.
Arts & Antiques
Serpentine Galleries
Kensington Gardens
28 May at 11:00 - 13:00
The Serpentine Galleries are currently hosting highly praised, concurrent solo exhibitions by two major painters: Cecily Brown at Serpentine South and David Hockney at Serpentine North. Both shows invite viewers to slow down and immerse themselves in nature, utilising entire different visual language.
We will visit both exhibitions followed by a catch up at a local cafe. Join us!
Sign up online.
Book Club
The Master by Colm Toibin
members house in NW3
18 May at 19:30
Taken from Goodreads: 'Beautiful and profoundly moving, The Master tells the story of Henry James, a man born into one of America’s first intellectual families who leaves his country in the late nineteenth century to live in Paris, Rome, Venice, and London among privileged artists and writers. With stunningly resonant prose, “The Master is unquestionably the work of a first-rate novelist: artful, moving, and very beautiful” (The New York Times Book Review). The emotional intensity of this portrait is riveting."
Reading Ahead:
22 June - Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan (sign up opens 7 June)
Please vote for your top 15 books for us to discuss next year. The straw poll vote can be found here https://strawpoll.com/B2ZB9rMNxgJ . You can vote only once! The poll closes on the 1st June at 11pm. A list of the books to vote on and summaries of them can be found here https://claudinescomments.wordpress.com/2026/05/01/books-to-vote-on-for-2027/
Book Share
Brad & Dills
Rowland Hill St,NW3 2AQ
26 May from 14:00 – 15:30
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.
Sign up online.
Chicks 'n' Flicks
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Everyman Hampstead
13 May at 13:30
We will meet in the cinema lobby at 13:10.
As Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) nears retirement, she reunites with Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) to face off against Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), her former assistant turned rival, as they compete for advertising revenue amidst declining print media.
Twenty years after making their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel - Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation.
Sign up online.
Community Outreach
Henderson Court
5 June from 13:15 - 15:00
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.
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
Voices with Guy Chambers
Circle & Star Theatre
28 Heath St, Hampstead
27 May from 20:00 – 21:30
Voices with Guy Chambers - An evening curated and hosted by Guy Chambers, one of the most influential songwriters in British pop. Guy has done collaborations with Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, James Blunt, Lily Allen, Tom Jones, INXS to name but a few...
For this evening, he opens the room to a mix of artists you already know, alongside emerging talent about to break. Original performers, new voices, and the artists behind the future soundtracks of our lives.
Cost £30.25 pp ONLY 1 TICKET LEFT!
Sign up online. Please note there are no refunds.
Zoo Nights at London Zoo
Outer Circle, Regents Park
19 June at 18:00 - 22:00
This will be our third annual trip to Zoo Nights at London Zoo. Friday nights in the summer are for adults only where there are food trucks, live music as well as lots of animals to visit, all in a relaxed setting. Feel free to bring a partner or friend.
Sign up online so we know you are coming.
Please buy your tickets (priced at £23.50 each) directly through this link, choosing the 19th June: https://www.londonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/events/zoo-nights
The Van Morrison Alumni Band
Hamstead Garden Suburb
3 July at 19:00
This event has been cancelled.
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
Trouping of the Colours: The Colonel's Review
6 June at 10:30
This event is full. Please contact Claudine at claudinee@yahoo.com to be placed on the waiting list.
Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
18 June at 12:30
This event is full.
Link Up
Greenberry Cafe
Primrose Hill
14 May 17:00 - 18:30
A casual and informal way for current and new members to get together, chat and socialise.
Change of venue - this time, we meet at Greenberry Cafe during Happy Hour which features special cocktails priced attractively at £9 each till 6pm. Wines by the glass from £8.
A great way to start the weekend and ease into summer!
Sign up online.
London Bites (formerly Pub Lunch)
Carmel Queen's park
Lonsdale Road, NW6
19 May at 12:30
London Bites meets up approx once a month to explore new and local restaurants. Carmel is a relaxed all-day restaurant and bar in the heart of Queen’s Park in London, which takes inspiration from the cuisines across the Eastern Mediterranean, creating an accessible, refined menu that seamlessly evolves from morning through to evening.
Sign up online.
Musicals
Check our calendar for upcoming events.
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.
Sip & Social
King William IV Pub
77 Hampstead High St
8 June 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.
The month's Sip and Social will be held at King William IV in Hampstead. It is in the heart of Hampstead Village and a Hampstead institution. Their walls are dedicated to the people of Hampstead with over 100 portraits throughout the pub walls. They state that they offer the best Drink Deals in the village, along with serving award winning traditional pub food 7 days a week! We will have a table at the back of the pub in The Garden.
Sign up online.
Speaker Series
Making Sense of Money and How to Manage It
by Surehka
Member's home followed by MUST Wine Bar
20 May at 19:00
We generally meet at a member's house in NW3. 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.
This talk will be given by Surekha who will speak on financial wellbeing, and some of the issues that are especially common to women.
Sign up is full. Please join our waitlist if you are interested in attending.
My career in Dentistry
by Diana
17 June at 19:00
Our ninth speaker series talk will be given by Diana who will present her career journey in dentistry, from being a just-qualified and inexperienced dental surgeon to a serial practice owner, overcoming impostor syndrome, and having fun!
Sign up online.
If there is a topic that you think you would like to talk about next year at 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
Black Comedy
Orange Tree Theatre
16 June at 20:00
An uproarious piece of slapstick vaudeville!
Young sculptor Brindsley Miller is on the brink of success. He is expecting a visit from an influential art collector, whose approval could secure his future. He is determined to present himself as sophisticated and successful.
The problem? His flat is sparsely furnished, most of the contents borrowed without permission from his neighbour. But when a sudden power cut plunges the building into darkness, Brindsley sees an opportunity. In the absence of light, he believes his deception will go unnoticed. Unbeknownst to him, the audience can see everything.
As friends, rivals, lovers and unexpected guests arrive, the situation spirals rapidly out of control, and Brindsley’s desperate attempts to influence events only make matters worse.
Tickets are £53 pp
Sign up online. 2 TICKETS 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 via email below.
11 May - no walk
18 May - City walk - Aldgate to St Paul's
Meeting Point: 10:30 outside Aldgate Tube Station
Sign up opens 10th May
25 May - Deptford
Meeting Point : 10:30 outside Deptford Bridge DLR station
Sign up opens 17th May
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.
15 May - Meditation for Beginners
at a member's home in Hampstead
10:00 - 12:00
Please join us for an Introduction to Meditation Practice on Friday, 15 May at 10:00am for 10:15am start, followed by refreshments.
In these challenging and hectic times, we gather to learn the art of meditation and discover practical techniques for finding inner peace, cultivating balance, and creating moments of calm amidst the chaos of daily life.
No previous experience is needed—you will learn foundational meditation techniques, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices to help manage stress and restore balance. All are welcome, and beginners are especially encouraged! We look forward to sharing this peaceful practice with you.
To register sign up online - please also RSVP to Dolma at 07301047807 and she'll confirm location.
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.
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!