At the Annual General Meeting of SI Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead yesterday, Mrs Jean Sinclair took over as President of the Club from Mrs Margaret Lenton.  Margaret had served as President for two years which of course had been significantly affected by Covid.  Margaret was thanked for all her hard work in rather difficult circumstances and was presented with a bouquet and a present. Jean told club members that she was looking forward to her year in office and hoped to partner with other organisations and gain more awareness of the club and its activities.  The President’s charity will be the DASH organisation (Domestic Abuse Stops Here).

For many years SI Slough Windsor & Maidenhead has had an involvement with the Spencer Denny Centre – Age Concern Windsor.  The Centre had to curtail its activities during the lockdown and it is gradually reopening and getting back to providing services for over-55s in the Windsor area.  Whilst the centre is now open on three days per week, the management wished to provide some activities on a Tuesday.  Club members agreed to volunteer to help run a Tuesday Club from midday to 3.30 on two Tuesdays per month. The club provides lunch and entertainment such as a quiz or bingo.  There will also be a pantomime in December and a Christmas Fayre on 26th November.

In March we celebrated our Diamond Anniversary with a weekend of events but due to the impact of Covid there was one postponement.  So on Saturday 22nd October there was a final event when President Margaret joined club members for an afternoon concert composed of Music either composed by or played by Women.  In fact in one case the musician was both the composer and the pianist.  The remarkable Alma Deutscher was a revelation to everyone: a child prodigy who is now 17 and has already composed an opera and is currently creating another for performance at Salzburg next year.  She plays the piano, and violin and also conducts!  It was also wonderful to know that she lives in Basingstoke!  Members very much enjoyed all the music which included pieces by a Ukranian composer currently still living in Kiev.  Wine and refreshments were also available.

Several members of the club have been working with Club President Margaret Lenton to improve the Heritage Garden near to Windsor Guildhall in time for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.  The garden had become sadly overgrown and weedy but is now looking smart and attractive again.

Club members have been making progress in upgrading the Memorial Garden in Windsor near to the castle so that it will be looking its best in time for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend.  President Margaret is working with Judy, Jackie and Sally.