Democratic Women

**One quick note on how the community works** **L Community is member-funded.** The standard contribution is **£13 per month** to cover the platform, events, moderation, and safeguarding. If £13 isn’t workable for you right now, you can opt out for now. Support can be changed or cancelled at any time. Support the platform: [www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now](http://www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now) **What this is** A relaxed Sunday afternoon book club for lesbian and bisexual women, meeting in person. This is our first event and we will discuss which book we plan to read. It’s low-pressure, calm, and easy to settle into the event. Women usually range from their 20s through to their 60s. Most sessions are a genuine mix of new faces and returning women, so you won’t be the only person coming for the first time. Most people come on their own. That’s normal here, and we make sure you don’t feel it. Hosts introduce people, keep things flowing, and make the space feel easy rather than awkward. If you’re feeling nervous, you won’t be the only one. Many women feel that way before their first book club and end up staying longer than they expected. **Important** This is a female-only lesbian space. That boundary is clear and upheld at events. If that doesn’t work for you, this won’t be the right event. **How to attend** You must register in advance to attend. Register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/book-club/](https://thelcommunity.com/book-club/) **Arriving and support** The table booking is under the name Jenny. If you’re nervous, arriving alone, can’t find us, or have any difficulty at all, you can message at any point – days before, on the day, or during the event. If it helps, we can have someone come outside to meet you. **WhatsApp Jenny** WhatsApp only (calls or messages): **+44 7591 386019** Normal calls or texts will not go through on this number. **Staying connected** Registering for an event is separate from joining the wider community. If you’d like to stay connected between events, access the private WhatsApp group, and join the wider network, you can register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/register](http://www.thelcommunity.com/register)

Discover a unique chess community where we’ve created a friendly, positive environment for playing and learning chess, quite different from the ordinary, male-dominated clubs. This is a place to feel at home, connect with like-minded people, and enjoy developing your chess skills within a supportive community. What to Expect: ♟ Friendly games and casual play ♟ Coaching sessions for beginners and intermediate players ♟ Socialising with fellow chess lovers ♟ A welcoming and inclusive atmosphere We also offer regular group coaching, to help new joiners getting into chess. The next sessions are on 15th and 29th March 2-4pm in the same venue: [sign up here](https://pci.jotform.com/form/241475449120353) Next session will be announced shortly! At London Women Chess Club, we’re passionate about empowering women in chess. Our non-profit community is dedicated to creating a safe and engaging space for women and juniors to develop their skills, gain confidence, and enjoy the game. Let’s celebrate the contributions of women in chess and build a vibrant, dynamic community together. Come and be part of something We can’t wait to see you there! [Join Us!](https://form.jotform.com/241453653475359) \| [Instagram!](https://www.instagram.com/londonwomenchessclub) \| [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/london-women-chess-club/) \| [WhatsApp!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/LaTFRA9J7jt8UdLV79Qnw1)

Welcome back ramblers, rovers, loungers and loafers! Once again, it's time to drift. We're picking up where we left off (well, a little west of there) last month to continue our long-term unguided navigation around the whole of London. We'll stay south of the river this time and keep pushing westwards into the heartland of glorious South London, starting from Greenwich and ending up, most likely, somewhere in Lambeth, via Peckham. These are some of the liveliest, most interesting parts of the metropolis so an extended exploration is a long time coming for us! Since this is a *dérive*, I won't say much more than that. Meet out in front of Greenwich station, serviced by the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) as well as Thameslink (which cost the same as the Tube and run from big stations such as Farringdon and King's Cross) and Southwestern rail services. Check planned TfL disruptions here - there are some disruptions to certain routes on the DLR for March 15th, but Greenwich station will be fine and our day should be all clear for most everybody: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/planned-track-closures.pdf A little background on our City Drifting project here: **Now just wait a minute. What the hell is a drift ([dérive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9rive))?** A drift is any unplanned journey through the urban landscape in which participants practice a form of radical mindfulness, collectively exploring new ways of relating mentally, ideologically and materially to the "ordinary" urban environment we all think we know so well. First theorised publicly by Situationist thinker, artist and provocateur Guy Debord in his 1956 essay *[Theory of the Dérive](https://libcom.org/article/theory-derive-guy-debord)*, drifting is a sort of *critique of ideology* done by walking, looking, and feeling. **The urban environment of London is not a neutral space:** it is packed with surveillance equipment, anti-homeless architecture, consumerist [Gruen transfers,](https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/what-is-the-gruen-transfer.htm) crowd management systems and security perimeters, among a thousand other subtle and not-so-subtle methods of population control. Moreover, our everyday relationship to the city and its pathways is conditioned deeply by our habits of movement and our habitual perceptions: our commute to work, to school, our nips down to the shops, etc. **All these routines create what Marxists call a *reified* relationship with the urban environment: through over-familiarity it becomes something seemingly natural, "just there", ordinary, unchangeable - boring.** This boredom and familiarity kills the radical imagination, without which we're fucked. To be able to start to imagine how society could be transformed, we also need to imagine how spaces, buildings, their use, their whole purpose (and who these serve) could themselves be transformed. A necessary step in this process, according to Debord and the Situationists, is the drift. Like the 19th-century gentleman *[flâneur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fl%C3%A2neur),* by wandering the city with an attitude of "fresh eyes", we can shake loose our ingrained sense of what London and its streets are like. **As a collective, we will work to "estrange our senses" and see the streets, buildings and people differently, as if we were encountering them for the first time.** That is to say: these aren't just random walks around London - with the right frame of mind, they will be opportunities to turn the world upside down, if only for a moment! But don't take it from me - as Debord observed: *"In a dérive one or more persons during a certain period **drop their relations, their work and leisure activities, and all their other usual motives for movement and action, and let themselves be drawn by the attractions of the terrain and the encounters they find there.** Chance is a less important factor in this activity than one might think: from a dérive point of view cities have [psychogeographical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychogeography) contours, with constant currents, fixed points and vortexes that strongly discourage entry into or exit from certain zones."* See you on the streets comrades, and remember, as [Raoul Vaneigem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Vaneigem) once wrote: *"All space is occupied by the enemy. We are living under a permanent curfew. Not just the cops — the geometry".*

Is one of your 2026 goals to have more valuable engaging chats with new like-minded people who are into what you're into thereby adding more brilliant relevant people to your life? Then come and try something different for a perfect New Year adventure swith **group matched topic** based conversation Time is precious. Here at the Universe of Hedonic Adventures, we believe life gets better when you spend more time enjoying the things you love, with similar people who genuinely love them too. This is not just about bespoke socialising but ensuring fully engaging, soulfully enriching and inspiring interactions that leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. Start 2026 with themed conversations that'll provide **new beginnings**, **thought provoking engaging chats and meeting people who actually share the same interests as you** No awkward hovering. No boring small talk with “so what do you do?” . No meaningless icebreakers, No dull uninspiring generic chats! Just relaxed meaningful and exciting conversations with people who share your passions, interests and hobbies. Whether you’re into creativity, music, travel, films, wellness, curiosity, science, food, politics or great outdoor adventures, you’ll find your people here. **=== CHOOSE YOUR HIGH LEVEL TOPIC ===** Instead of walking into total randomness, choose **your specialist topic when you RSVP** to meet people just like you. When you arrive - you’ll join a small group of people with the same interests from: * **Music** * **Films, Theatre & TV Shows** * **Books** * **Health, Fitness, Sports & Nutrition** * **Fashion** * **Spirituality** * **PPE** (Politics, Philosophy & Economics) * **Art** * **Outdoors & Nature** * **Space, Science & Wonder** * **Food, Eating Out & Cooking** **=== HOW IT WORKS ===** * **Pick your topic when you RSVP** so you’re matched with people who share your interests / passions. To keep conversations truly engaging for everyone, only select a topic that you can talk about with passion and knowledge * **When you arrive**, head to the **table area** (location and host contact number will be posted in the comments). * **Check in with host** — I’ll have a quick chat to make sure you’re comfortable with your chosen topic * **I’ll introduce you to your topic group**, connecting you with people who love the same things as you do * **Enjoy relaxed, easy conversation** over a drink with interesting and engaging people who actually share your hobbies, passions, and curiosity, not just any Tom, Dick & Harry * **Meet a mix of relevant like‑minded people**, ensuring high quality enjoyable organic conversations that flow naturally & never run out * If you get bored - I will re-alllocate you a different group with your secondary area of interest **=== VENUE ===** This historic, cosy, and much‑loved Islington bar serves everything from hot drinks to wine, beer, and food. So come and start 2026 with curiosity, connection, and a room full of people who might just become your new friends Lucas - The Social Butterfly

**IPLUK Networking Event - 15th March, Covent Garden** **Special Guest: Megha Mohan: BBC Journalist** who has interviewed Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, Melinda Gates, and some of the most powerful women in the world — and on this Sunday she’s sitting down with us as our special guest to share her expereince with fun Q&A. Ticket Link: https://app.tickettailor.com/event/ev_7668192 **[Indian Professionals in London & UK (IPLUK)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/indianprofessionalslondonuk)** **Entertainment Partner: ZEE TV HD & Z5** **Supported by our Valued Sponsors:** **Pro\-Taxman \| Aspora \(Remittance\) l Mortgage Bazaar \| Temple Solicitors \| Bird Voyage Travel Agency l Corpinal \(Trademark Services\) \| SEVA Money**

**Geekstraveganza** is a fun, friendly gathering for good company, tasty vegan food, and board/card games! We’ll have plenty to play, but feel free to bring your own. **Mother’s Day Special**: bring your mum to play some board games! Free drink from Karamel for all mothers dining there 🥂 🎟️ **Free entry**, just RSVP! 🗓 **Sunday** 15 March 2026 🕐 13:00 – 19:00 📍 [Karamel Club](http://www.musicglue.com/karamel) - [4 Coburg Rd, London N22 6UJ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9pKfu6McuPZ9N3hF7) *💬 [Group chat](https://londonvegannetwork.netlify.app/Geekstraveganza) in the London Vegan Network community on WhatsApp* 🤓 Everyone’s welcome — regulars are happy to teach, and hosts can introduce you or suggest games. **Drop in anytime**; new games start as people arrive. 🤤 The venue hosts us for free, so please grab some food or drinks from the **100% vegan kitchen and bar** to support them. Don’t miss **Kath & Roger’s legendary Sunday roast** with all the trimmings! 🚉 Closest stations: **Wood Green** and **Alexandra Palace**. ➡️ Find us in the **room behind the bar** (and sometimes also in the main area). ♿️ **Step-free access** and a **wheelchair-accessible toilet** are available. 🐶 **Dog-friendly venue**, so furry friends are welcome too!

**Our March pick is *God of the Woods* by Liz Moore.** **This month’s novel is an award-winning literary mystery that blends family drama with psychological suspense. It explores women’s voices and relationships while delivering an exciting, eerie, and deeply suspenseful story. The book is 576 pages in print or 14 hours and 35 minutes on audiobook.** Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.

Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. If trail conditions are poor, we will use the Multipurpose Path.