Past events
If you're wondering what we've been up to at Gothic Valley, see below and come along to the next fun-packed meeting!
Bystanders really can be Lifesavers! That was the message we took from April's meeting as Vikki a paramedic from the London Ambulance Service talked us through why CPR is so important, what a defibrillator actually does and how to use one (and yes, you do have to shout CLEAR with an extravagant arm movement to ensure others stand well back!)
We were taught the mnemonic DR'S ABC, as follows:
D for Danger - are you in a safe place to carry this out
R for Response - shout their name if you know it, or "Hello", shake their shoulders - if they respond, they don't need CPR
S for Shouting for Help - if you're alone, OR if there's a group, make eye contact with an individual and get them to ring 999* and stay around relaying the advice from the call centre. Send someone else for a defibrillator (they are portable units), if you know where one is, otherwise the emergency services will give this information.
A for Airway - check the mouth, is it clear? if there's fluid, roll the person on to their side so it can dribble out, then return them to being flat back on the ground and gently move the head back (two fingers under the chin bone and other hand supporting the head)
B for Breathing - are they? put one hand just at the bottom of the rib cage, if possible put your ear to their mouth and count 10 seconds. If there are at least two breaths in that time, then good. If there's one breath or none, then go immediately to:
C for Compressions – place one hand on top of the other, centre chest and in a line from the armpits, use straight arms with shoulders over hands so that you can push firmly and start pressing down (2 compressions per 1 second in time) for a couple of inches. Rock your body to do this, rather than push with your arms, it’s easier on your back and more effective.
It should all take about 30 seconds from your first check to see if they are breathing to you starting CPR. Once a person stops breathing (cardiac arrest as distinct from heart attack), it only takes 4-5 minutes before there starts to be brain damage.
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So doing compressions is replacing the mechanical work of the heart - pumping blood around the body which is keeping it oxygenated.
The British Heart Foundation has a teaching video here:
https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr/learn-cpr-in-15-minutes
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A defibrillator sorts out the electrical activity in the heart. We were shown several models, which all work in broadly the same way and the unit talks you through what to do and has pictures of where to place the components.
It will instruct you to:
- cut through clothing - even a bra - and expose the bare skin (scissors are provided in the pack)
- attach the pads securely - there will be pictures - one above the right breast, below the collarbone, and the other below the left armpit
- follow the instructions
The unit won’t give the cue to shock if it doesn’t detect a cardiac arrest, so you can’t get this wrong
Last year, in London alone, 44 people who went into cardiac arrest were saved by bystanders, which is an amazing statistic. Once you learn to look out for them, more and more defibrillators are appearing in our buildings and on our streets, and this is why the proposed resolution is so timely
The above is just a precis of what we were taught. We then had a go on a CPR dummy. It is really hard work! But we were told to keep going, even when the paramedics arrive and start setting up their own equipment, and only stop when asked to
It was a fascinating and useful evening, and I think we all felt more confident that in an emergency, we would know what to do. Our thanks go to Vikki and all the Annie dummies who let us practice on them!
* I did not know that if you dial 911 or 112 in the UK, it will automatically re-route to 999 - but not if you dial 111
Next month is our pub quiz and we will be returning to the Boogaloo - this will be an open meeting so please bring along friends and family (all genders but over 18) for a fun evening of Goth- adjacent knowledge testing
April 2025 Meeting
London ​Lifesavers CPR Training Session!
March 2025 Meeting
Gilbert White Talk ​
with Steph Holt!
Our March meeting took place online as GVWI's Steph Holt gave a talk on Gilbert White (he of The Natural History of Selbourne fame), his work and networking in C18th England.
It was truly fascinating, and was recorded for members unable to attend. Steph took us through his life and times, and also the influence he has had in the centuries following - Darwin and Attenborough for example - how in essence he was the first ecologist, interested in not just one species but how all the flora and fauna in a place interact and support each other. He wrote the first description of the harvest mouse and helped the unravel the mysteries of the migration of birds amongst many things.
He was also fortunate to born into the family he was, and although he was never wealthy, the connections he made with other naturalists, as seen by his collection of letters which formed the basis of his book - never been out of print since its first publication in 1789 and the fourth most bought English language book after the Bible, Shakespeare and Pilgrim's Progress
Steph's admiration for the man and his work, and his influence on her own life and career, shone through her talk, and we left feeling that a trip down to Selbourne was an absolute must! Indeed, Steph will be at the opening of a new exhibition as well as taking people round the garden at twilight later in the year.
Next month's meeting will be at the Methodist Hall (in the same parade of shops as the Radio Cafe) by Archway tube, where we will have a talk and practical demonstration about CPR, tying in nicely with what looks like this year's winning resolution : Bystanders can be Lifesavers. We hope to see you there
February 2025 Meeting
Speed Friending!​
Our February meeting saw the return of our very popular Speedfriending event - for the third year running! Our Hostess with the Mostest was the lovely Natalie, who does a fabulous job of keeping us all engaged and chatting. We had four visitors - Hi Caroline, Alice-Amanda (with Luna the Staffy), Fiona and Janine. Two new members attended - Hi Saffie! HI Lily! And we had a good turn out of members, making it a great success as people mixed, chatted and socialised.
In the raffle, Annika won the signed copy of Sacha Coward's book: Queer as Folklore - available at all good bookstores, and Amazon. Due out in paperback May 1st.
The link to the recording of his January talk was distributed after the meeting – shout if you didn’t receive it.
As with the December meeting, we were in a back garden cabin at the Boogaloo pub, Highgate, which has proved to be a cosy and friendly venue, and one to which we hope to return.
PS Did you know that there is Galentine's Day which celebrates platonic love between friends, usually held on February 13?
Tune in next month (literally) as GVWI's Steph Holt will be giving a talk on Gilbert White (he of The Natural History of Selbourne fame), arguably the first Ecologist (though the word didn’t exist in his time), on his work and networking in C18th England. This will be on Teams with an invite being sent out by email nearer the time.
January 2025 Meeting
Queer be Dragons Talk
with Sacha Coward!
2025 began with an online meeting, welcoming back the ever delightful Sacha Coward and his adorable sidekick, Mikey, the 10 week old kitten.
Sacha's talk had initially been called "Queer be Dragons" but had moved on to be an exploration of why large sections of the LGBTQIA community relate to "monsters", with reference to his beloved mermaids (and mermen), vampires, aliens, robots and witches. Sacha drew on his wide knowledge of folklore and LGBTQIA history to give a fascinating insight into how these myths have been used by queer artists and writers to explore their own lives and experiences as well as contributing archetypes to the more general culture. Maybe the dragons are ignorance and intolerance which need to be slain?
The talk was open to visitors and we welcomed Trisha (ex-Stroud Green and now living in Wales), and Zoe who will be joining us as a member. It was also recorded for members:
https://vimeo.com/1047438759?share=copy#t=0
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December 2024 Meeting
Christmas Crafting!
The December meeting comes early for GVWI, and following the traditional narrative, there was no room at the Inn/Cafe. But the Bugaloo Pub up the hill took us in for a convivial evening.
Committee members presented the four resolutions for voting on :
1. Let’s talk about incontinence
2. Bystanders can be lifesavers
3. Join the repair revolution
4. Eliminate landfill of medication packaging
Additionally, there was crafting with people making name badges and decorations - appropriately bat shaped. Verene kindly supplied some Christmas biscuits and shared the recipe:
Bruns de Bâle:
200g sugar
250g ground almonds or hazelnuts (i use hazelnuts)
2 tablespoons of flour
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Mix together
2 egg whites beaten stiffly
Fold in fully
November 2024 Meeting
Annual Meeting and Basket Weaving!
November is our Annual Meeting month where the President, Secretary and Treasurer give their reports on how the year has been - and members can find these on the website but if TL, DNR, it was a good year all round with a mix of activities people seemed to enjoy, and a small profit over the year. We also confirmed the members now on the committee, welcoming Ruth and Nise with Verene who will be taking the Secretary role. We then voted for President, and I'm delighted to say that Sarah has agreed to stay on for another year. Thanks were also given to members who ran meetings, so thank you Natalie, Dee and Leila plus Lisa for the quiz questions.
It was also our last meeting at the Archway Tavern/Cafe as we have been given (very short) notice possibly due to change of management. So the December meeting will be elsewhere tbc and if anyone has any ideas about venues, please let the committee know.
As we had time after the formal proceeding, we did some paper cup weaving and the results were impressive, with Verene's and Rebecca's being particularly stylish.
Thank you to the members who came out on a very chilly night, and please keep an eye out for the December meeting venue AND NOTE the change of date : it will be on the second Wednesday of the month, not the third, so the 11th
October's meeting was online and we welcomed Ally Sherrick, or Alison as I know her. Ally is an award winning children's author of historical fiction covering various periods in time (Gunpowder plot, WW2/Anglo Saxon period, Henry VIII and Roman Britain)
She gave us a wonderful talk about her inspiration for her books, the research, how she got to be published and what her 'typical' working day looks like, or rather, there is no typical day!
We were treated to the first chapter of her first book "Black Powder" which described a public execution from the view point of the hero, a young boy, and Ally told us how she has to balance the dark and the light - the villains WILL come to grief and the heroes WILL prevail - for her audience.
It was a fascinating insight into the creative process and we have recorded it for members. Ally also gave us some great recommendations:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m0023x8p
https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/
https://the1642tailor.com/about-the-tailor/
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October 2024 Meeting
Talk from Childrens' author
Ally Sherrick
September 2024 Meeting
Blackberry Social
September, and GVWI fulfilled its promise of putting the black into blackberry jam, along with other tasty morsels. Members brought along all sorts of produce including pumpkin focaccia, fruit 'leathers', flavoured fruity gin, elderberry cordial, fabulous apple cake and more.
Becca tried her hardest to give away her apples (not a euphemism), Dee was on hand to explain kombucha to those who had missed her June talk, and Sue had corsets she was offering - Jess and Becca both looked wonderful. We welcomed Alice-Amanda and her adorable Staffy Luna, who had the best time.
Next month will be on Teams and we are hoping to have Ally Sherrick, an award winning writer of children's historical fiction.
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July 2024 Meeting
GVWI Games Night!
Our July meeting greeted the warm weather with a games based social. Having marvelled at Nise's collections (in the UK and US) via photos, we settled down to some good old fashioned fun. Ruth brought "Renunciation" along, a sort of anti-Monopoly whereby you rid yourself of possessions and passions to achieve enlightenment, avoiding falls from grace and the dreaded loop of existential despair!
August, of course, does not have the usual meeting but we will be picnicking below Kenwood House as usual on the first Sunday of the month - weather permitting! Do please keep an eye out in case its decided to move the date.
June 2024 Meeting
Fermenting fun - kombucha making workshop
Summertime and the kombucha is fizzing. Yes, thanks to lovely member Danyel we learnt about (and tried) veggies in lacto-fermentation/brining (plus the strong recommendation not to overindulge when starting your fermentation journey), and then got to grips with making our very own kombucha with organic green tea bags and a starter supplied by Danyel.
We each had a Kilner jar in which we basically made a very strong cup of sweet tea. Then once this has cooled down and was diluted slightly, the starter was added. Danyel had given very comprehensive instructions (which will also be emailed) and we all staggered off into the night clutching our jars!
We await the results with anticipation!
Next month is a social - games ahoy!
May 2024 Meeting
Gothic Valley World Goth Day Pub Quiz
May saw the return of our internationally famous* pub - or pub adjacent - quiz to celebrate World Goth Day. 🦇
There was a small but enthusiastic turn out and in the end three teams competed for the Gloomy Spoon of Doom - oh, and also the prize for being first. Questions were set by the marvellous Lisa with the round entitled "Goth or Broth" (ie band or soup) proving especially popular.
Congratulations go to 'Nul Points" who disproved their name by coming first with "Beaucoup des Points", "Pickle" picking up the Gloomy Spoon of Doom, and our thanks also go to "The Team with no Name".
Raffle tickets were bought, jam supplies topped up, and we all admired the renovations in the Radio Cafe - plus there's an outside space now!
Next month we will be back at the Radio Cafe and Kombucha-ing! Keep an eye out for emails nearer the time confirming what you will need to bring
* citation needed
April 2024 Meeting
What do we talk about when we talk about vampires?
So, what do we talk about when we talk about vampires? April saw the much anticipated talk by Sasha Garwood-Lloyd and it did not disappoint! Taking us first swiftly through the literary history of vampires - at least in British terms - Sasha laid out clearly the infamous summer holiday in Villa Diodati and the Venn diagrams within, and brought us up to date with the various iterations of Interview with the Vampire via Carmilla and of course Dracula.
The second part of her talk concentrated on the meaning of vampires - how they stand for the 'Other' in so many ways - sexual, familial, and the general "natural order of things", like aging.
Sasha also introduced us to various titles that were mostly new to the group:
- FLEDGLING by Octavia Butler
- THE GILDA STORIES by Jewelle Gomez
- the illustrated edition of SNOW GLASS APPLES (Neil Gaimen) by Colleen Doran, and
- BLINDSIGHT by Peter Watts
NB Sasha's podcast - UNSEX ME - is also worth looking out for
The talk was, in the best possible way, quite intensive, and we have recorded this if you were unable to join or want to hear and see it again. The subsequent chat went on for a good 90 minutes afterwards but was not recorded.
All in all, a thoroughly good time was had, Teams seemed to behave itself, and we would like to extend our deepmost thanks to Sasha.
March 2024 Meeting
Screen Printing
Our March Meeting was again held in the Function Room at the Archway Tavern and it proved to be a great space for the screen and block printing workshop - we pimped those pants and tarted up those T Shirts! We welcomed Jo and Wendy as visitors and also had a good turn out from our own members.
Fabric was supplied along with the screens, blocks (both wooden and foam), and paints, but I think the lingerie departments of various M&Ss saw a great uptick in sales! President Sarah and our lovely Leila gave really good instructions and then let creativity commence. Much amusement was had by all, and there were some great results, not just fabric, but little cardboard boxes and wrapping paper were very successfully printed.
Next month we move back online for the long awaited talk about vampires by xxxx! NB this will be on TEAMS and the link and info will be sent before the meeting (nearly put “meating” which is suitable for a vampire...)
Thanks again to Sarah and Leila for all their hard work and see your virtually in April!
February 2024 Meeting
Speed Friending Soiree
For our February Meeting (relocated to the Function Room at the Archway Tavern for one night only), our lovely member Nat reprised her very successful Speed Friending Soiree as an antidote to Valentine, and we all had a wonderful time.
Grouped in tables of 4, we first talked to the person opposite, then on a whistle, chatted to the person beside, before moving round to a new table and victims - I mean, members. Nat had kindly supplied some 'Break the Ice' questions which proved to be enlightening, especially with those members you thought you knew well...
Our thanks go to Verene for providing amazing cheese; Leila for the interesting Swedish sweets (salted liquorice, yum!), and of course to Nat for the idea and all the arranging.
Next month : Pimp those Pants! GVWI goes hands on....
January 2024 Meeting
Bullet Journaling!
We began 2024 with a lovely Zoom meeting on bullet journaling and it was well attended, including Catherine from Australia, and Leila from Sweden, and we must welcome Jess as a new member
Nikki Bartlett from Cam City WI gave us a wonderful insight in to how she found it useful as well as tips and techniques. Members had received some bits and pieces of stationery and the like, so were able to practise Nikki's suggestions during the meeting. It was also interesting how some members said: oh, this element is perfect for me even if I don't use the others. We have recorded the meeting and hope to get the slides as well to help jog memories
Next month is back face to face at the Islington Radio Cafe and we will be speed friending