Burns Night Review

From a Scottish visitor to WERFA

As a seasoned Scottish Burn’s night attender I didn’t know what to expect from WERFA.

I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening – from the haggis being piped in until the sing-song at the

end I thought it was well done and fun.

Good food, good dancing (chaotic, but such fun) good rendition of the address to the haggis, loved the bagpipes and good friendly crowd. What more can a Scottish “Lassie” ask for!

Many thanks to all the Committee.   Wilma

Burns Night Celebration Saturday 3 February

Eagerly anticipated since the success of the event in 2016! Book your tickets with Les and state your haggis option (shot on the moors or veggie). Time to dig out our dancing shoes, kilts and Scots dictionaries and Burn off the festive flab. Meal and dram included. Tickets £15, bar open. Doors open 7;30pm.

Upcoming Events

ENOCH’S GOLD HILL TRAPPERS Sat 24th March

Square dance and professional caller. This promises to be great fun.

BRUCE PEARSON Friday 6th April

An informal talk and painting demonstration.

Please note: Bruce has just returned from the Antarctic. As always, this will be a fascinating evening.

ZOE CANO Wed 25th April

Travel writer and adventurer.

Lots of other things on the horizon – more info nearer the time.

Family Film Event: Despicable Me 3 shown Sunday 3rd December 2017

We enjoyed a fantastic turn-out to our family film event at WERFA in December where we screened the summer blockbuster Despicable Me 3. With our new state-of-the-art sound system, five metre cinema screen and fresh new look in the hall, we were able to put on a truly cinematic experience and offer this to local families for just £3 a ticket. The film was great fun with a funky ‘80s influenced’ soundtrack from pop genius Pharell Williams getting everyone in a feel-good mood; even Father Christmas himself couldn’t resist a break from his Christmas preparations, popping in during the film to drop off some surprise presents for all the children – adding an extra sprinkling of Christmas magic! We try to add personal touches to all our film screenings and for this film we made cinema tickets, gave out free minions stickers on arrival and served hot drinks with free mince pies, popped fresh home-made popcorn and created special ‘minion’ ice-creams for all.

Our next family film showing is currently being planned so please do keep an eye on our website www.woodlandsevents.org.uk and Facebook page facebook.com/woodlandsevents for future updates.

Despicable Me 3 film screening (U): Sunday 3rd December 2017

We are putting on an extra special ‘festive’ family film screening in December suitable for all ages.

The mischievous Minions hope that Gru will return to a life of crime after the new boss of the Anti-Villain League fires him. 

Instead, Gru decides to remain retired and travel to Freedonia to meet his long-lost twin brother for the first time. 

The reunited siblings soon find themselves in an uneasy alliance to take down the elusive Balthazar Bratt, a former 1980s child star who seeks revenge against the world.

 

Come and enjoy a great cinematic experience for a fraction of the price and on your doorstep. (We have it on good authority that the big man himself might show up!)

Sunday 3rd December 2017, WERFA Pavilion, Isleworth

Doors open 10am • Film starts 10.30am

Festive refreshments on sale pre-screening as well as homemade popcorn and minion ice-creams!

Children must be accompanied by an adult for admission.

Tickets just £3 per person.

For further information visit www.woodlandsevents.org.uk or to book tickets in advance email info@woodlandsevents.org.uk

Social club events 2017/18

For all the following events please email les@lesmccallum.com or phone/text 07510 632 109

Burns Night – Sat 3rd Feb 2018

Enoch’s Gold Hill Trappers – Sat 24th March

Barn Dance/Square Dance & Caller

Zoe Cano – WIRED FOR ADVENTURE – Wed 25th April 2018

Travel writer and Adventurer

Mean Mary Bluegrass – 18th August 2018

All the way from USA, Mean Mary and her brother will take an evening out from their UK tour to entertain us at WERFA.  Not to be missed.

Murder Mystery Evening with dinner – Date TBA

‘Murder on the Disorientated Express’

Family fun day with classic cars – Date TBA

Andy Williams  – Date TBA

(No, not that Andy Williams…). This

is the guitarist of the jazz band we have who will play a mixture of music styles only multiple types of guitars and explain the intricacies of each.

Peter Lamont talk – Date TBA

Production Designer of the Titanic film and several James Bond movies. will talk about the making of these films

Bruce Pearson – Wildlife Artist  – Date TBA

Currently in Antartica as artist in residence and naturalist on board a cruise liner. Bruce has promised a return visit to WERFA and will do something very different this time.

Stephen Moss is keen to entertain us once again with his stories about wildlife and making wildlife films. – Date TBA

Drink plenty of fluids – Film night review

“Drink plenty of fluids…”that was the advice from Doctor Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) to one of Count Dracula’s victims – ”plenty of fluids : tea, coffee or better still, red wine”! So we did, and ate a hearty supper of Ghoulash (of course).

Saturday night’s extravaganza at WERFA was Dracula (Christopher Lee). The film cost £81,000 to make in 1958 and was the first of eight Hammer Film Productions of Dracula, this one directed by Terence Fisher. The 16mm film and projector on the night was an added treat.

There were plenty of other treats and travelling tips for us too- remember to pack a big-lapelled jacket for dinner, a long white dress, a couple of strings of garlic and don’t forget your mallet and stake, and pack it all into a tiny little leather bag. But Dracula,  his victims and visitors were a little under-dressed compared to our WERFA audience. We had dramatic collars, luscious red lips, oozing wounds, teetering heels, waist length flowing locks and yes, that was just the men! Joyce was magnificent in her purple-hatted witch costume and black lipstick, deserving her prize, and Bernard too with his revolting prop (courtesy of Les’s back-garden production facility).

We had a quiz, cabbage sound-effects, an introduction to the film from Tim, bats, severed limbs, skulls, cobwebs, grave-stones, delicious food and lots of laughs. Thanks to all the team – Bob, Catherine, Dick, Dom, Emily, Joyce, Les, Tim……for another great WERFA evening. Keep them coming!

The Papa George Band Review by James Swann

A wonderful night of Blues was had at the WERFA Pavilion on Saturday 30th September seeing the return of the Blues Hall of Famer, Papa George and his band, for their third appearance. A packed house Woodlanders were in attendance and were blown away by the gritty vocals and incredible musicianship of George’s three-piece band (Papa George on vocals/guitar, Pete Rees on bass and Tom Compton on drums).

Playing a mix of George’s own tunes and iconic covers of the likes of Johnny Winter and Jimi Hendrix, George’s band lit up the stage. Fantastic food was provided by Kate who served up a delicious slow-cooked pork treat at the interval with all the trimmings. Thanks to Les and the team for organising another wonderful event. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Papa George back again soon!

WERFA Newsletter – help needed

For just over a year I have been producing the paper version WERFA Newsletter, but unfortunately, due to various commitments this is something I am no longer able to continue to do.  I can continue to manage the website updates and the email production

I would like to ask if anyone would like to help me with the paper version of the newsletter production – If so, please contact me via email at: werfa@hotmail.co.uk

Papa George Band Saturday 30th September from 8pm

With many years of playing live music to rock and blues audiences in the UK, Europe and US this band will be playing at the WERFA Blues Club on Saturday 30th September 2017.

This London based band will deliver a night of true passionate blues. As well as playing originals, they include a range of classic blues covers including material from the great blues artists. PAPA GEORGE is recognised by an American Heritage International Organisation as a “Master Blues Artist”, and was inducted into the “Blues Hall Of Fame” in February 2013.

Euro Blues Awards 2014, Papa George was nominated finalist for the solo category. In 2016 he was recognised as a British Blues Great from the British Blues Awards (sponsored by The Cavern

Freehouse, London). Press reviews of Papa’s performance were highly rated and described him as …“an amazing blues vocalist and guitarist… playing at a very impressive level and definitely memorable”…

Described by Muddy Waters guitarist, Bob Margolin “… a powerful Deep Blues player… a spectacular blues artist. “He’s got power and nuance; he’s a master entertainer and pure player.

The ace rhythm section includes two long time “bluesman’ bassist PETE REES (Gary Moore) and drummer TOM COMPTON (Johnny Winter / Alvin Lee).

Papa George and his band present the best of today’s UK blues all with rockin’ attitude and enjoyment.

For all events please email les@lesmccallum.com or phone/text 07510 632 109 to book tickets.

Dracula Film club event, Saturday 28th October – doors open at 7.30pm Tickets £10 for adults/ £6 for teenagers

Join us for a spooky Halloween Film club, showing the one and only Peter Cushing as Dracula!

If you want to dress for the event in your favourite horror film costume, there will be a small prize for the best costume (Make-up included).  There will be horror books posters and a horror film quiz, the bar will be open and the wonderful Kate will be providing some suitable fun food.  Not stake and chips!

Swing Night Review By Sharon Hearn

The swing night in July, in the new WERFA hall was a huge success, enjoyed by all.  With Martin and Ruth teaching a fun dance class and leading some professional standard lindy hop dancing, the night was really fantastic.

First time dances easily picked up a few basic steps, but for those who didn’t want to dance, The Smokey Taps were excellent. The lead singer had a beautiful voice, perfect for the 1930’s – 40’s era playing that night.  With a delicious hot meal provided, it was incredible value for money at only £12 per ticket.

Thank you to all who helped in making this such a memorable event, with special thanks going to Martin and Ruth. I do hope the evening can be repeated in the not too distant future.

Has anyone heard of the KinoVan?

We are investigating booking the Kinovan for a bespoke film show at WERFA, which, depending on the time of year will either be an indoor event, or outdoors using a mobile cinema showing films from across London, inspired by travelling cinema vans of the 1920s.

The film clips are part of London’s history project, and give a unique insight into our borough’s past, with a mix of old home movies and other gems from the archive.

The organisation that will be creating the specific film show for WERFA are keen to include any old and interesting short film footage unique to our area, even if only a few seconds long.

If you think you might have any old film footage of anything to do with our estate or surrounding areas hidden in the attic, under the bed or tucked away in the garden shed, we would like to hear from you.