OUR COMMUNITY

Two book groups in the area are up and reading. Both have around 10 members. Successfully running since 2003 is coordinated by Anne Aiken. The club meets every 4 weeks on Wednesday at 8pm. The groups recent reads include The Salt Path and the Reader on the 6.27. There are occasionally spaces for new members.  Contact MapRA for details. The second book group is co-ordinated by Jenny Thomas. Their book choices are equally varied. Some of their recent reads are The Wide Sargasso Sea, Exposure, Monsieur Linh And His Child. There are occasionally spaces for new members.  Contact MapRA for details.

Members meet on each Monday to play gentle rubber bridge; Normally 3 tables. New people welcome. Coordinated by John Mann. Contact MapRA for details.

Inspired by footpath improvements carried out by Brent Council in Blenheim Gardens in late 2010, local residents got together, in agreement with the Council to enhance this tree-lined street still further by creating tree-pit gardens. It has improved the look of the street, thanks to volunteers led by Claudia Kerner. All summer the street’s tree pits have been filled with colourful plants which have brightened the day of passers-by. Volunteers since added 2,500 bulbs, from snowdrops and to bluebells and tulips.

MapRA’s Gardening Club traditionally meets in the evening on a monthly basis, at members’ homes. Sometimes during winter months there are talks by experts on subjects in which the group is interested, but overall it provides an opportunity to exchange ideas (and plants) and discuss individual garden problems or issues that may have arisen. In the summer, members visit each other’s gardens to admire what has been achieved and enjoy tea and cakes. Garden-themed outings are often arranged to places such as Kew Gardens, Stanmore Country Park, Burnham Beeches, Manor Farm Herbs in Oxfordshire and Perivale Wood (for its annual bluebell display). Club members are also involved in organising the Open Gardens Day, which sees around a dozen beautiful local gardens open for charity, along with a tea garden and plant sale. Held in June, usually every second year, it’s one of MapRA’s community highlights.

Our fruit harvesting group annually pick over 500 kg of plums, pears and apples. After some for owners and pickers we have donated the fruits to places such as Ashford Place, Anson school and Pakistan Community Centre. Get in touch for ways to participate.

The Film club is a recent addition, coordinated by Susie Songhurst. As they’ve been, for many months, restrictions on new films being released over many months and with no cinemas open, Susie circulates each week a list of a few films which appear on terrestrial channels with one ‘film of the week’ which can be streamed. She chooses a wide cross section of films – young and old.  There are approximately 35 members at present, who dip in now again – obviously they can’t watch everything! They have a discussion on Zoom, about the Film of the Week recommendation from the previous week’s listings, with 8 members – many more and it would be too chaotic! If you are interested please contact MapRA.

Every month members of the Theatregoers Group go to a play in the afternoon.  Visiting a very wide range of off-West End theatres as long as they can be reached easily by public transport from NW2 (Jubilee or Overground and connections ).  After the performance we meet in a cafe near the theatre and have a discussion about the play and its production. We always try to get tickets fairly close to the front to see and hear well.

We also go to dance and musical events.

Cost: Ticket prices vary according to venue, mostly £15 to £40. Timing is mostly Weds, Thurs, Sat or Sun. If you would like to join please let us know by contacting MapRA.