Emma Halford, CEO of Richmond Charites will talk to us about the history of the alms houses in our area and how they function. The work of The Richmond Charities, housing and supporting elderly people in housing need in our borough, goes back over 400 years. The first of Richmond’s alms-houses were Queen Elizabeth’s Alms-houses, founded in 1600. From then on, over the centuries, wealthy benefactors continued to endow land and property for the building of alms-houses and The Richmond Charities now owns and runs 150 alms-houses spread over 13 estates in Richmond, Twickenham and Mortlake.

Join us at the Distillery for a tour at the home of the ‘ginaissance’. You’ll be greeted with a ginny tipple in hand, be taken through the chequered history of gin and learn how Sipsmith Gin came to be. Our three copper ladies, Prudence, Verity and Constance will then take centre stage and you will learn how our award winning spirits are carefully hand-crafted. Naturally, there will be a tutored gin tasting too and a goodie bag to take home.

Please can you confirm to Sarah C that you are coming and that you have paid your £25 into the Barnes WI bank account.  Responses please by 14 April.  Unfortunately ticket purchases are non-refundable but you are welcome to find a replacement if you can’t subsequently come.

Venue: Sipsmith, 83 Cranbrook Road Chiswick London W4 2LJ

Nearest tube: Turnham Green and 10 min walk, nearest buses 533 to Hogarth roundabout and 12 min walk or 190 to Balfern Grove and 3 min walk

Author Jenny Ridgewell’s latest book ‘Cream Horns and Vol au Vents’, is about teaching cooking in an East London comprehensive in the 1970s.  Described by Prue Leith as an ‘accurate, and sometimes very funny, account of the trials of a young food teacher in the 70’s.’ It was a time of great change in our food choices yet Jenny had to teach old fashioned ideas like starching a tray cloth and which doyley to use. Metrication had just happened and it was the first time boys learnt how to cook, using textbooks about being a good housewife. How could food education be so undervalued?  Who remembers salad cream, Stork margarine, Angel Delight, Birds Custard? Be prepared for an amusing trip down memory lane