Chingford North Afternoon

More Information On This Social Group

Our Guild was founded in 1938, making us one of the longest running Guilds in the country! Meetings continued being held throughout the war years, with membership averaging 80-90 ladies. In those days, there were sections for music, drama and handicrafts with special groups being set up to make things for the war effort to support our troops. A special fund raising effort was to buy boots and skis for doctors in Finland. Although it was suggested that meetings be abandoned during periods of intense bombing, members voted to continue and there is no mention in minutes of a meeting ever having to be cancelled due to an air raid. On the death of the King, a letter of condolence was sent to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and we have the reply in our archives.

Today, our Guild is much smaller in membership, around 40, but we are a friendly bunch, always ready to welcome new ladies. As well as our regular monthly meetings at which we have either a speaker or in house entertainment, we have a monthly luncheon club and Scabble/Rummikub afternoon. Our monthly outings are always enjoyable as we are fortunate in being such an easy train ride away from central London. Trips this year have included St James' Park, the V&A Museum, the Royal Naval college at Greenwich by boat, a boat trip on the Regents Canal, the Guildhall Christmas Fair and the Sky Garden in Fenchurch Street.

Update September 2018 We have had a very successful recruitment drive and now have 47 members! Unfortunately, the venue where we currently meet is not large enough for us to be able to accept any new members at the current time. However, if you are interested in joining us, please phone me to have your name added to our waiting list.

Update March 2023 During lockdown, we did our best to keep in touch, with phone calls, WhatsApp messages and delivering birthday cards etc. As soon as we were able, some of the ladies met in small groups for lunch. Since resuming meetings, we have continued to thrive, although a few members did not return. We now have about 40 members and have moved to a new, larger premises, so are in a position to welcome new members. We continue to have monthly Games meetings, lunch club and outings. We have recently had a tour of the Supreme Court and visited the National Gallery, the Tower of London, the Freemasons Hall, the Docklands Museum, the Museum of Brands, the Sir John Soanes museum, the Wallace Collection, the Sky Garden, Kensington Gardens, Richmond and Southend. Speakers in the past year have included a Pearly Queen, a magician, a talk given by the local police, a singing for fun session and Medau Movement.

Our current Charity to raise funds for is London Air Ambulance. We look forward to welcoming new members to our Guild!