Social group for local mums is having a big bash
A group that started out as a small number of new mums having coffee mornings in 1973 is poised to celebrate its fortieth anniversary. Thousands of parents have enjoyed Ealing 135’s activities and made loads of friends by becoming a member ever since.
The bash takes place at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, 2-8 Hanger Lane, Ealing W5 3HN (formerly the Ramada hotel) on 21 st September from 7.30am to 1am with tickets costing £15 per person. It is open to, members past and present, their friends and anyone else who fancies a fun night out locally. Finger food and cake will be provided, there will be a cash bar and live music and dancing The Ealing 135 Anniversary Team can even help you sort out a babysitter via Buttons Nanny Agency which is waiving agency fees so you just pay the nanny to babysit - there are some fantastic experienced, previously interviewed and registered and reference/ CRB checked Buttons nannies who are available to babysit that evening for as long or short a time as you want!
To book email 135anniversaryevent@gmail.com
In 1972, Joanna Murphy was a new mum, who was also new to the area and living in a maisonette just off St Mary’s Road. She was just becoming confident with her first child, Kevin, when she was asked by her NCT ante-natal teacher whether a group of even newer mums could come and watch her bath her baby. Though no one of them realised the implications of the meeting at the time, it was to mark the momentous creation of the Ealing 135 Group. The name “135” was devised both to illustrate the age range of the children within the group and the area it covered – at the time W13 and W5.
At the time there were two other mothers’ support groups in the area – Nursery Workshop and the W5 Group. The W5 Group was set up to offer intellectual stimulation (by means of invited speakers, including Penelope Leach) to non-working mothers (in those days the majority of mums). The 135 Group, however, aimed to be much more of a social organisation, not only for children, but parents as well. They started a baby-sitting circle to allow their friends an evening off and developed the token payment system still in use by the Group today.
The 135 Group slowly started to develop into the organisation we know today. One of the members was the wife of a local vicar and her open houses started to be held in a church hall where the children were given the run of the place and allowed to play with its nursery school equipment. Whilst these were never called anything other than Open Houses, they were certainly the forerunner of today’s very popular Ealing 135 play sessions.
The group’s aim is to provide an information and social network through its bi-monthly newsletter and its various activities and membership is available to carers of young children in Ealing. Uniquely amongst similar groups for parents and children, the Ealing 135 Group is not affiliated to any particular political or social cause and does not advocate specific policies for children or their parents.
The organisation continues to run on an entirely voluntary basis by its members, who are all parents or carers of young children. It operates today much in the same way it always has, but on a much larger scales, with membership sections organised across 12 areas around Ealing borough. Each area of Ealing is represented by a group of volunteers (Area Reps) and they, along with the committee members, constitute the very background of the group and ensure that the Ealing 135 Group continues to exist and thrive.
The second aim of Ealing 135 is to raise funds for charitable purposes. The charities are nominated by members and then voted by the committee each year. A number of fundraising events are held throughout the year – a Spring Fair, Christmas Gift Fair etc and profits are donated to our nominated charities.
The bi-monthly newsletter (more of a booklet) plays an important part in the running of the group and each member receives a copy, hand delivered in most cases by their Area Rep to save on costs. Each newsletter is packed with information, including forthcoming events and activities (including open houses, parties, park picnics, nights out for the grown-ups, nanny meet ups, play and singing sessions, trips to the fire station, museums and much more). Local companies advertise in the newsletter which adds to the Group’s funds.
Ealing 135 also has a very active Facebook group where members ask each other advice and give parenting and local tips www.facebook.com/groups/6177621339/
August 15, 2013
|