NWR Connect Summer 2025

NWR connect ISSN 2978-395X

NWR Connect Reg charity no 295198

SUMMER 2025

Quarterly bulletin for the adsadsadasQGQQood National Women's Register

Image: Paul Lincoln @Unsplash

Here’s to a bloomin’ lovely summer!

Letter from the Trustees Gill Wignall, Chair of Trustees, is stepping down after seven incredible years

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ello and welcome to the Summer edition of NWR Connect. It’s hard to imagine that we are already halfway through the year, but when you read this bulletin you’ll see just how much our members have managed to cram into those six months! At the time of writing this, I will shortly be setting off to beautiful Shropshire for our Annual Conference in Telford. I’m looking forward to the interesting programme that Ruth and her team have put together, and also the chance to connect with other members.

As some of you will know, at the AGM I announced that I would be retiring from my trustee role in September 2025. By then, I will have served as a trustee for seven years, and I feel that it’s a good time to step back and give someone else the opportunity to join the team. I urge you to think seriously about applying. It’s very satisfying, and interesting, to be involved in the process of running an organisation like NWR – or perhaps there’s something that really niggles you, in which case, volunteer as a trustee and see if you can do something about it! You don’t need any particular skills, just a willingness to learn and get involved, and a few hours of free time to give.

The role of the trustees is to ensure that the charity is managed responsibly and ethically, adhering to legal requirements and within the Charity Commission guidelines. Additionally, they are responsible for the charity’s strategic direction and long-term goals. If this sounds onerous, well, I can’t deny that it is, but it’s important that members don’t shy away from taking on the role because it is vital to the functioning of the organisation.

Also, the load is lightened by it being a team effort, with staff and trustees working closely together and often having a lot of fun in the process.

I’ve really enjoyed being a trustee. I shall miss the challenge and the satisfaction of working to make a difference. There have certainly been many times when I’ve been taken way out of my comfort zone, but surely that’s a good thing, and I believe it helps to stave off the onset of old age, which is definitely a bonus! My knowledge of HR, PR, IT, GDPR, CRMs, and a multitude of other things with strange initials, has increased exponentially, but most important is the chance to make the most of the opportunities offered and to get involved. All the trustees and the office team are a delight to work with. They are all committed to the future of NWR and never grumble about going that extra mile to help you out.

Make the most of this lovely summer weather we’re having. Forget about watering the garden, just enjoy reading about everything our members have been getting up to and don’t forget to think very seriously about becoming a trustee!

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Tea, tales and tribute

MEMBERS’ CORNER

Tadley group decided to hold a tea party to commemorate VE Day on 8th May - and it swiftly turned into a party to remember, as Local Organiser Penny Waterfield explains

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ur 18-strong group decided, only three weeks beforehand, that we should commemorate VE Day on 8th May in some way. It was decided that a tea party, inviting other local NWR groups, would be the best way forward.

At least, that’s how it started off. We were able to have the village hall for free, as several of our members are on the committee there, and we expanded our vision from there. Now we invited not just members, but their partners/spouses, and decided that it would probably be a good idea to have a speaker to keep everyone interested, as numbers would presumably rise. We wanted the event to be free to those who were invited, but decided to keep it as an invitation-only event.

I put out feelers for speakers. I happen to have a contact at RAF Odiham, and he found an elderly exRAF gentleman who had lived in Singapore between 1939 and 1942, and was happy to speak to us.

Success! And the village hall hosts an Aviation group, so I asked whether one of their number would be interested in holding a talk on the subject – Tadley was once a small village, surrounded by heathland, and most roads into the village prior to 1939 were dirt tracks.

Our speaker told us that in 1939 a small airfield was built on the heathland, mainly for RAF use, but by 1942 the USAF had arrived; the airfield was considerably extended, and Nissan huts erected for the 2,000 personnel who came from the USA. It was known as a ‘village’. Five large hangers were also erected, in which Spitfires were built. It’s clear from some of the road names that WW2 influenced the birth of the larger Tadley – we have Winston Avenue, Churchill Drive, Franklin Avenue and Hangar Road, to name a few.

After the war, two of the hangers were dismantled and re-erected by the Ministry of Defence to the rear of the Recreational Society, AWE Aldermaston, just down the road. The Nissan huts disappeared, and new estates sprang up in the 1950s, to house those coming to work at AWE. Tadley would never be the same again.

Sadly, the elderly gentleman was unable to attend, as he was taken into hospital suddenly, so we are still awaiting his talk. However, I hope as soon as he is recovered that we will be able to hear his tales.

We preceded the talks with lots of tea, coffee and home-made cakes; flew the Union Jack on the flagpole outside, and decorated the inside of the hall with red, blue and white bunting.

We also had a small memorabilia display, helped by our local historian, nonagenarian Stan Terrett, who had many interesting pieces of memorabilia, and tales to tell of his evacuation from London during the early years of the war.

We had about 50 visitors, all very interested, and full of compliments. We all felt we had marked the occasion successfully!

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A taste of the Channel Isles

NWR COUNTRY

Forget the Devon and Cornwall rivalry: what goes first on a Channel Islands’ scone, the jam or the cream? Sutton and Carshalton group (may or may not) have the answer....

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hirteen members of the Sutton and Carshalton group enjoyed a Channel Islands tea to commemorate our theme for the year.

Guernsey gache tea bread was served with Jersey butter as well as scones with jam and Jersey cream with a pot of tea with Jersey milk alongside.

Many interesting facts about the Islands were provided by our hostess, Dona - it was a very pleasant way to spend a wet afternoon!

Five facts about the Channel Islands There’s a lot more to these islands than their famous Jersey cows!

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. They’re the sunniest spot in the British Isles Jersey and Guernsey enjoy more sunshine hours than anywhere else in the UK. With their mild climate and gentle sea breezes, they’re perfect for a relaxing escape.

2. British…but not quite The Channel Islands may wave the Union Jack, but they’re not actually part of the United Kingdom. They’re British Crown Dependencies, which means they have their own governments, laws, and even their own currency (though British pounds are also accepted, if you’re planning a visit).

3. The only British soil occupied in WWII The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles occupied by the Germans during World War II. Today, you can explore tunnels, bunkers, and tales of island resistance. One such story is that of Louisa Gould, a Jersey shopkeeper who secretly sheltered an escaped Russian prisoner of war in her home for over a year during the Occupation. Eventually betrayed, Louisa was arrested and deported to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she died in 1945.

4. No chain stores allowed (in Sark!)

On the island of Sark, there are no cars, no chain shops, and no streetlights - just horse-drawn carriages, starlit skies, and plenty of timeless charm.

5. A floral paradise Thanks to the mild climate, the islands are bursting with blooms.

Jersey even has an orchid farm.

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Image: Travis Leery @ Unsplash

A taste of the Channel Isles

NWR COUNTRY

Find out how Aston and Rotherham groups took our Annual theme and Country theme to the next level!

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n June 10th 2025, 10 members of the Aston and Rotherham groups

flew to Guernsey for 4 days as part of this year’s country of the year.

One of our Rotherham members, Nicky, visits regularly as she has family there and has really come to love the island. She volunteered to organise a visit for us, which she did wonderfully well based on her research and her own experience while visiting.

Knowing us well, she organised a range of activities which we could do as a whole group or split into smaller groups according to interests and stamina.

A mini bus took us to and from the airport as well as for a whole day (8 hour) tour of the island. This included going in a burial cave, visiting a pearl shop with the remains of a Roman boat, walking to the fairy ring, seeing castles and loophole and Martello towers and gun emplacements. We enjoyed the gardens at Sausmarez Manor plus viewing points across the sea to other Islands.

Victor Hugo’s house

We had a free day to explore St Peter Port, visiting the Occupation time line, following the Liberation trail through the beautiful Candie Gardens. The more energetic among us then walked to Castle Cornet whilst the others spent an interesting time in a museum tracing the history of Guernsey from prehistoric times.

On the last morning we visited Hautville House and Gardens, the home of Victor Hugo and his family during his exile from France. He designed the whole house to express his spiritual beliefs, recycling objects and using his own artwork. It was spared by the Germans as they felt it was too old fashioned with no running water or electricity.

Nicky pre-booked us three excellent but very different restaurants where we enjoyed locally caught fish and drank Guernsey cider. Everywhere we went we were well looked after by the friendly local people.

By the end of our stay, we understood why Nicky loves Guernsey so much.

Could you create some content for the next issue of NWR Connect?

Send your contributions by email to office@nwr.org.uk by the end of August to be featured in the autumn edition!

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A poetic journey

NWR WRITES

Sarah Akhtar from Trentham group shared a self-penned poem with her fellow NWR members at a recent Creativity session - and it was so good that of course we had to share it with you too!

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round ten years ago I started researching my family and looking at census returns. I discovered

many addresses and learned a lot about them.

Not long after that I was visiting my sons in London and took the bus from Clapham to Camberwell via Brixton. As the bus moved along Acre Lane the next stop was announced as ‘Solon Road’. This rang

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a bell and the result was the poem below.

We had a meeting recently about Creativity and when I read out ‘Connections on buses’, everyone said I should send it to you.

Connections on buses Two words on the census – Solon Road.

Names listed are Herbert, Annie, Winifred, Mabel.

The children are small and will move many times.

But, “Solon Road” lives on in 2019.

It’s a stop on my bus.

As I travel from Malik to Sam, Number 37 passes Solon Road Where my grandmother played all those years ago, In 1901.

The number 68 bus climbs Denmark Hill Carrying me from Euston station To Sam, Laura, Irma and Len. As I climb, I look left to The Maudsley Where fifty years ago I nursed in neurosurgery.

My eyes turn right to Kings College Dental school, In 1935 my father was there.

He learned his dentistry at Kings, before he met my mother, He played rugby and cricket but Never knew his great grandchildren, living nearby

Hicks family 1898, Solon Road

In 2019.

The 1901 census: A window into Edwardian life In an attempt to better understand the population and plan for the future, successive governments had done a census every 10 years since 1801. The 1901 Census offers a fascinating glimpse into life at the turn of the 20th century. Taken on 31 March - something done every 10 years since 1801 - it recorded details like names, ages, occupations, and birthplaces, capturing family life in remarkable detail. It was a time before world wars and modern conveniences - and suffrage - when many women were listed simply as “housewife” or “domestic servant.” These old census records help us trace not just family trees, but the stories of ordinary people living in an extraordinary era — grounding modern lives in rich historical roots.

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Image: David Henderson for Unsplash

The great British walkabout

NWR WALKS

The members of NWR have been striding the length and breadth of the land for Walks month! Here’s what a few of you have been up to...

Swindon

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windon group meets for fortnightly walks throughout the year.

During the Walks month, we have had several walks, but particularly enjoyed a guided walk at Coleshill on the Wiltshire/ Oxfordshire border.

The village was once the site of Coleshill House, seat of the Earls of Radnor. During WWII, the house became famous for the role it played in the training of people in subversive roles against a likely invasion by the Germans. It was a top secret establishment set up on the orders of Winston Churchill. Many people came here in secret, meeting at Highworth Post Office before being sent blindfolded on a circuitous route to get to the house.

The house burned down in 1952 and the grounds, with model farm, watermill and acres of beautiful woodland now belong to the National Trust who have done good work by setting up a Heritage and Rural Skills Centre to help pass old skills to future generations.

We had a lovely walk and enjoyed the National Trust bookshop afterwards.

Wolstanton

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e have been enjoying our popular Bluebell Walks for several years now and have visited a variety of local beauty spots for our rambles. This year we visited the eccentrically named Parrot’s Drumble - situated in a North Staffordshire nature reserve, named after the Parrott family who once owned the land. The word Drumble was a local term meaning a wooded valley surrounding a stream. We couldn't have chosen a better day! The perfume of the bluebells was sublime in the warm sunshine. A welcome lunch afterwards was the perfect way to end our stroll.

Stirling and District T

welve members of the Stirling & District group met for the group Spring yearly walk. The Scottish weather was gloriously sunny and very warm for the walk which took place near Blair Drummond in the Stirling Carse. It catered for different levels of fitness and was around 3.2 miles, on a footpath lined by trees and wild rhododendrons, azaleas, primroses and bluebells. There was a lot of talking and laughter along the way, as well as several stops for photographs taken and identification of wild plants. The walk finished back at the Smiddy Farm shop for a well deserved afternoon tea, everyone already discussing where next year’s walk might be.

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The great British walkabout

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Herne Bay H

NWR WALKS

erne Bay Group had to have our walk a little early because of holiday commitments. We walked from our LO's house to Oxenden Square, Herne Bay, about a mile. The large Square is an area of grass surrounded by houses which two years ago the residents converted into a beautiful wild flower meadow. This year they have planted hundreds of bulbs. The daffodils had finished but the tulips were beautiful, planted rather unusually in groups of 28 closely packed bulbs. The alliums are still to flower.

We walked home through our lovely park where the horse chestnut trees looked magnificent, in full leaf and covered in candles.

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Horbury and District

or our annual walk this year we chose a walk around the nearby National Coal Mining Museum between Wakefield and Huddersfield. Eight of us, plus the always enthusiastic Fudge the dog, set off on a leisurely walk to see an exhibition of sculptures by Barnsley-born sculptor Graham Ibbeson. The exhibition ‘From Coal Queens to Comedy Kings’ is positioned around the site.

One of our members, Janet, volunteers at the museum and was able to guide us round the site and talk about the sculptures. Most of the sculptures have a connection to the coal industry, which shaped the culture and landscape of West and South Yorkshire for centuries. Some of the sculptures will be familiar to people from public places, such as the comedian Eric Morecambe from the seafront at Morecambe.

Eric was a Bevin Boy conscripted to work in a coal mine in Accrington in 1944.

We were fortunate to have sunshine and were able to stop for a picnic lunch on our way round. It was good seeing the ponies in their stables and listening to the Hade Edge Band who were there for a commemorative event at the Miners’ memorial.

Congleton

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e had a truly delightful afternoon looking at wild plants on a walk in our own home town. Nine of us took part and logged the wild plants we found along the way. It was inspired by ‘City Nature Challenge 2025’, a global way of tracking changes in plant life over time - our walk was part of ‘City Nature Challenge 2025 Congleton’ organised by the Congleton Museum, with the aim of comparing plants now with those found in a local survey in 1915.

We used notebooks and the iNaturalist app to log, locate and identify what we saw, following paths and sunken lanes along the line of the Howty Brook, as well as ancient town alleyways and the site of a mill water wheel.

We found plenty of shade to keep us cool on a hot April day.

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The great British walkabout

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NWR WALKS

n the 30th May, we walked from Canterbury to Fordwich, the smallest town in Britain. The route took us via the relatively new Legacy Park and the ancient Old Park. The Legacy Park was created when the former army barrack area was developed mainly for housing. There is now an excellent view from there over the city and its fantastic cathedral. The story of Old Park, however, started over half a million years ago with evidence of very early humans. In more recent times it was used as an army training ground, particularly during the two World Wars. Nowadays it is a wonderfully diverse green space with acid grasslands, ancient woodland and water meadows. It is home to the rare nightingale and turtle dove, not to mention over 400 plant species and internationally significant invertebrates. The MOD, who own much of the site, has recently put it up for sale. So, there is a local campaign to save this important area, part of which is already a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Our walk took us over only a small section of this unique area but we were accompanied by a variety of bird song for most of the way. A welcome coffee break and convivial chat in the sun at the local hostelry ended our NWR walk.

Canterbury

Chineham and Old Basing

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n Thursday 22nd May, three members had a peaceful walk in the beautiful countryside of North Hampshire. It was a circular three miles but took us two hours. We opted to enjoy the views, and to take many photographs of the wildlife and captivating buildings. It was relaxing green therapy with delightful bird song and sunshine enhancing the experience.

We parked at the Leather Bottle in Mattingley; well known for excellent food, Queen Anne had just died in 1714 when the pub first opened to serve travellers on the road from Reading to Southampton.

Some of the walk followed the River Whitewater, which flows over chalk so is very clear, and popular with iridescent damsel flies and dragonflies. We were watched by inquisitive young cattle, and strolled along leafy well-signposted paths. We stopped a lot as we wanted to take photographs of the many wildflowers before entering the private grounds of Dipley Mill. The mill was built in the 16th century and ground corn until 1921 when it was turned into a prestigious private residence.

We passed a paddock where the owners’ three alpacas posed for photographs, before reaching Mattingley Church.

The church has no patron saint. It is thought that this is because the original building on the site was a moot hall. The present building still looked like a Tudor meeting hall. It was started at the end of the 15th century with a timber frame infilled with bricks to make a pleasing herringbone pattern.

Inside was equally attractive with the symmetrical pattern of the timber frame being the centrepiece of the building.

After passing through woodland we emerged near the pub where two of our members were waiting patiently for us to join them for a delicious lunch.

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oday we visited Fort Amherst, a Napoleonic fort at Chatham, which has a very interesting history, really lovely views across the Medway to Rochester...and a very convivial cafe! A very enjoyable morning.

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Medway

The great British walkabout

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NWR WALKS

Peterborough, Deepings and Bourne

embers from several groups local to Peterborough had a lovely walk through the grounds of Burghley House. It was lovely. We were very lucky with the weather and 11 of us enjoyed the beautiful parkland.

Connections were made! Clare from the Peterborough group had kindly organised the walk and had invited several local groups to join them.

There were 6 of us from Deepings, 4 from Peterborough and 1 from the new Bourne group.

Clare shared with us lots of interesting information and sights along the walk, including parkland plans from designer-extraordinaire Capability Brown and many other developments since then. Those of us who are regular visitors to the park had never seen or noticed many of these before which made it all the more fascinating.

Some enjoyed the 3 mile longer walk and others preferred the shorter stroll, all meeting up at the Orangery where delicious cakes and very welcome drinks were enjoyed.

Thank you Clare and here’s to more such group collaborations.

Broadstone B

roadstone walking group has enjoyed the Dorset coast this sunny summer at Boscombe and Durlston.

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Dorking

he Dorking group did do a walk this year, but as some were on holiday, others had appointments, grandchild duties, gammy legs, fear of hot weather - you name it, there was a reason, there were only two for the walk of 5.8 miles on a beautiful morning.

We chatted the whole way round looking at wonderful Surrey scenery, listening to the early May bird song and thoroughly enjoying a lovely walk.

Two others joined us for lunch which was great.

Quality not quantity for Dorking this year.

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NWR WALKS

The great British walkabout

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Kenton M

onday 5th May - Our Monthly Walk Bank Holiday!!!

Chalfont and Latimer to Amersham This walk was part of the National Walking Month campaign to encourage people to walk more to celebrate its many benefits! Today Kenton NWR followed a 4.5 mile Station to Station country walk from Chalfont & Latimer Station to Amersham.

This included a delightful nature/sculpture park near the start of the walk where we enjoyed playing amongst the clever wooden carvings. It was good to have Mary join us today.

The route then took us along field paths, counting gates on our way, then through Willow Wood where we got a bit confused but were saved by the joys of Sat Nav! Next we traversed Stanley Hill cemetery with its impressive Polish War Memorial (three high granite stones). The walk leaflet showed the route passing through a modern housing estate but we made a more interesting detour down to the River Misbourne which we followed into Amersham old town.

By now tummies were rumbling so since we had emerged from our river path by a pub we decided to eat here instead of at our intended café still further along the road. We were the only customers so while we waited for our sandwiches were able to watch the 80th VE day celebrations on the large television. The Red Arrows display was spectacular.

Revived after our rest, we decided to brave the uphill route to Amersham station via the Lollards memorial, instead of resorting to catching the bus. Yes it was a bit of a climb but we all survived and enjoyed an extra cuppa near the station before catching our train home.

An enjoyable day out though we would have liked a warmer day !

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Rotherham and Aston

circular 4m walk from Carlton in Lindrick Church.

The church dates from the 7th century, making it one of the earliest religious foundations in Nottingham.

The Tower is early Norman.

Salisbury

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even members of Salisbury NWR had a sunny 3.5 mile walk in the Avon Valley north of Salisbury, on Friday 16th May. Visiting the church of St Lawrence in Stratford sub Castle and the newly constructed Salisbury River Park .The photo was taken on the bank of the river.

(They look like 'The Blue Team'!)

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The great British walkabout

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NWR WALKS

Giffnock W

alk in Bellahouston Park.

Sheffield South West

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heffield South West had a lovely stroll along the River Derwent in the Chatsworth Estate from Baslow to the Estate village of Edensor. Here we enjoyed a drink and cake in the quaint Tea Rooms.

We chose this location and walk so that those members unable to join us on the walk would still be able to meet us for drinks and cake.

Truro

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tried to organise a walk in our local park and invited members of Playing Place to join us but unfortunately no-one from there was available on our chosen date and it became clear that our members were otherwise engaged too. So, that was disappointing.

However we had already planned to undertake the Grampound Trail on 10th June which involved a guided walk through this local village, so I am putting this forward as our June "walk".

Our guide was very knowledgeable and told us much about the industrial history going back to Roman and prehistoric times, mostly milling and tanneries. The leather produced over the centuries was much prized. There is a small visitors' centre with further information and displays where we were invited to have a cup of tea and watch two short videos.

An excellent way to spend the afternoon.

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The great British walkabout

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NWR WALKS

Buckhurst Hill & Woodford Green (eve) T

he evening group from Buckhurst Hill & Woodford Green enjoyed a 5 mile walk setting off from Manningtree.

Saline

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aline NWR ladies enjoyed a beautiful walk through Charlestown and Broomhall Estate. The sun shone and after the walk we met up with other members at the Inn at Charlestown for a lovely meal.

Worksop

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orksop and area NWR is a thriving group with a varied programme of events. We try to take part in National Events wherever possible including the National Walking Month.

This year we enjoyed a guided walk around the historic village of Gringly on the Hill. Our guides were keen historians and proud inhabitants of this lovely ancient village. A fascinating insight into times gone by.

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NWR WALKS

Harwich & Dovercourt

n a bright, dry Friday towards the end of May, 7 members of the Harwich and Dovercourt Group set off for a woodland walk in Wrabness, near Harwich. Too much chat caused us to miss the path we had intended to take to the Bluebell Wood (although the blooms may have faded by the date we walked anyway) so we re-directed our steps to other parts of the wood.

The tree canopy allowed dappled sunlight through as we heard the songs of various birds, most of which we, sadly, were unable to identify. A small lizard (we think) was spotted scurrying beneath a decaying tree branch.

Our tranquil walk continued on, close to the shoreline of the River Stour where different trees were sporting their frothy blooms. As our walk came to a close, a final look back across the river in the distance we could see the cranes of the busy container Port of Felixstowe – here, although in the country, commerce is never far away.

Our walk culminated in welcome refreshments at the Wrabness Community shop.

Note from the Editor - the Merlin app is brilliant for identifying birds whether you can see them or not www.merlin.allaboutbirds.org

The 2025 NWR Walk Survey results are in...

Thank you to the 87 groups that completed the 2025 NWR Walk Survey. The results help us to plan future NWR activities for members and review what worked, what didn’t and how we can improve.

You walked a total of 128.2 miles or 206.3 kilometres 13

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370 members, 5 non-members and a dog took part this year!

Herts & Beds Area Quiz

AREA EVENT

St Albans group hosted the annual area quiz on Friday, 13th June - unlucky for some, but not for the winning team!

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his year’s area quiz was a great success – there were 7 tables of 6 or 4. It was a warm evening and everyone arrived early so we got off to a prompt start.

The questions came fast and the brains worked faster. We broke for refreshments and continued with more rounds. Scores were added up and it was a very close run.

Everyone enjoyed themselves so quizzing is not dying out!

As the winning team, Leighton Buzzard 1 offered to host the quiz next year, so look out for the details in a few months time.

Congratulations to winners, Leighton Buzzard 1...

Thank you to St Albans group for hosting such a fabulous event!

If you are a born organiser and would like to be involved in planning and hosting an area event, you can find out more at www.nwr.org.uk/organising-nwr-events Or get in touch with the office for a chat to be connected with other members in your area to create a planning team - or reach out on our member only Facebook groups!

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Powering Gloucestershire

MEMBERS’ CORNER

Cheltenham and Charlton Kings group discovered how energy is made from waste

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members of Cheltenham and Charlton Kings NWR with 3 guests visited the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste facility on 27 May. Named after the famous Javelin Aircraft which was developed by the nearby Gloster Aircraft Company in the 1950s, the facility is built on the site of the old RAF Moreton Valence Airfield. State of the art technology is used to safely and efficiently combust up to 190,000 tonnes a year of residual waste (waste left over after recycling and composting). Gas emissions are cleaned and filtered, and any solids after burning are recycled if possible. The energy produced is exported to the National Grid.

The guide who was very knowledgeable was able to answer all our questions, and also made tea and coffee for us! It was a very interesting and informative visit and gave us all some useful tips on best recycling practices. We now know what is inside the odd shaped building by the side of the M5.

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