Horsham Normandy W.I.

Only days before the second lockdown Hazel & Sue went to London, primarily to visit the Artemisia Gentileschi exhibition at the National Gallery.

As the day was dry and bright we decided to walk into St James’ Park, along Birdcage Walk and down Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. As these streets were almost deserted of visitors we were able to enjoy the scenery of our capital. It was a joy to see the architecture and art, both classical and modern in Trafalgar Square.

Our visit to the National Gallery had been booked some weeks previously, so it was with some considerable anticipation that we entered the gallery to see the work of a 17th century Italian female painter. For many years her work has been unrecognised and mis-attributed, but our National Gallery acquired a painting of hers in 2018 and that had prompted this show with other examples of her work coming in from other leading collections worldwide.

The images displayed may certainly have challenged the idea of suitable topics for a woman but in the painting tradition of the time many pictures are depicting scenes from the bible. Several pictures were indeed graphic in their portrayal of the chosen scene but at the same time Artemisia’s skill was highlighted with her deft touch for hair, skin and textiles.

My personal favourite was her self portrait as an allegory of painting. By now middle aged, and a painter of great experience, she felt able to use an unusual perspective with lighter freer brush strokes.

Artemisia endured much throughout her life,was taught to paint in her fathers studio but taught herself to read and write.

On many occasions she had to stand firm as a woman painter. She was not shy to write to the potential patrons of the day and seek commissions promising that she could “show what a woman can do.”

As COVID-19 has meant the cancellation of our meetings NFWI has extended your 2020 subscription until the end of March 2021.

From 2021 onward your annual subscription will be due on 1 April. It is hoped that this will ease the pressure of an annual fee due immediately after Christmas.

At Horsham Normandy we re-planning our 2020 programme to bring you excellent national speakers via Zoom. This is new technology and learning for all of us. But we are happy to help each other and learn together.

Revised meetings are listed on our monthly meeting page soon after they are organised, so do keep checking in.

Following a talk about The Cutty Sark by Tony Turner, Sue & I visited this last remaining tea clipper on a crisp, bright day. A short walk from Greenwich Station we could soon see the masts towering above the roof-line.

The self guided tour provides an engaging, immersive and interactive experience. The smell of tea as you enter, the bulk of the wool bales to the rolling of the sea. The large space provide by the wrought iron hull structure would be filled with produce from the East and raced home. The prestige from a fast run was valuable.

From below the ship can be viewed through the glass “ocean” canopy. Here, we met John “Jock” Willis. the man who commissioned and owned The Cutty Sark. A distinctive individual who was known in the London shipping circles for his stylish white hat. He can be seen here below the copper coated hull, another innovation to aid the fast running of the vessel. There is a fun display of ships figureheads.

Up on the open deck the high masts display the many ropes that managed the sails. The benign weather conditions on our visit could not portray the conditions of savage seas whilst managing wet ropes and heavy sails. Jock Willis recounted one story of two sailors washed overboard by a large wave, only to be washed back again as the swell surged and the ship rolled!

We concluded our visit by taking the Greenwich Pedestrian Tunnel under the Thames and viewed the scene from the north bank.

Now that the flurry of Summer activities has reduced we are relaunching our Reading Group. Unlike other groups we don’t read a set text, so there is no requirement to purchase a new book.

We get together to share whatever we have been reading & enjoyed. And the “reading” can be in any format, classic book, e-book & audio too. If you would like to share that new title or author we would love you to come and join us, and tell us about it. It’s a great way to discover different authors. And, as we often redistribute these books among ourselves before putting them into a charity shop, the pocket benefits too.

We now meet at the MangoBean Cafe in the Bishopric, the time & date will be confirmed on our monthly meeting newsletter. MangoBean serve tea & coffee, plus fruity smoothies or creamy chocolate. Whilst there is no need to sign up or commit to attending, it helps if you can let Hazel know that you will be coming along. We look forward to seeing you.

On a glorious sunny day 28 members made their way to Random Hall, Slinfold, for our Birthday lunch and our celebration of WSFWI’s Centenary Year.

The conservatory was beautifully laid out for our lunch.

Members were treated to an excellent meal served by an attentive team of ladies around our chatting……..

……and quizzes that puzzled and tested memories.

Followed by a chance to go into the garden to enjoy the beautiful flowers and continue our chatting in the sunshine.

Our Thanks to Random Hall and a special Thank you to Jill and Lesley for their efforts in organising this very enjoyable event.