This year we decided to hold an August Meeting as few of us are away on holiday due to Covid 19. On Tuesday 11th August 29 members including 3 guests ‘met’ via zoom. As Max had sent her apologies, Bee was in the chair and following her opening greetings the meeting progressed. Caroline talked about the NFWI decision to close Denman and the newly launched digital newsletter which is for WI members and interested others. Sue confirmed that we are solvent as a group and Kay talked about the picnic planned for Saturday 22nd August in Beckenham Place Park. She also commented on plans to organise walks in September to Bromley Common and Biggin Hill.
Our speaker for the evening was Jane Eastoe, a fashion journalist and editor who talked about her book ‘Queen Elizabeth - reigning in style’ and discussed the concept of the Queen not as a style icon but, over her very long reign, as a woman of impeccable taste who has rarely put a foot wrong with her wardrobe. Jane described the process of planning the Queen’s wardrobe for foreign tours where as many as 100 new outfits may be required. She also illustrated the talk with images of the Queen’s coronation robes and Wedding gown as well as pictures of the Queen’s outfits from a very early age discussing the limitations which must be followed, no cleavage to show, no hems to fly up and the recognition that the Queen must be visible to the many people who wish to see her.
The evening was completed by Pauline’s picture quiz of locations around the world….the inclusion of Lewisham Hospital alongside the Taj Mahal and the Statue of Liberty caused some consternation.
