Scrapbooking

A relaxed London book club exploring the most influential book in history. Whether you think it’s rubbish, holy, or you’re simply not sure what to make of it, you’re very welcome. We meet for two hours at a time. Our reading list includes books from the Bible — as well as some of the books that didn’t make it into most Bibles. The Bible has shaped culture, law, art and ethics for centuries, yet many people are personally unfamiliar with it. Each evening is structured but informal. The group chooses the book or books to read, and discussion takes place in small groups. No lectures. No pressure. No need to prepare anything in advance. The aim is thoughtful, respectful conversation. Plenty of people feel they know quite a bit about the Bible, yet struggle to read it. This is a space to explore it thoughtfully and honestly — in good company. This club is for: • Curious thinkers • Skeptics • Christians with questions • Anyone who wants to make up their own mind Our only rules? Be curious. Be honest. Be kind. And enjoy yourself. It’s also a chance to find a bit of community along the way. Photos may be taken during the evening to share on the Meetup page or social media to help others see what the group is like. If you prefer not to appear in photos, just let the organiser know at any time. We meet in a private room on the second floor of the Duke of Sussex pub. When you arrive, get yourself a drink, ask for The Book Club, and come on up.

April workshops at The Journaling Club hosted by Patricia. A space for exploring different journaling techniques, building confidence in your artistic skills and meeting likeminded people - away from screens! All materials are provided - only bring your journals. To bring: Your journal - this can be in your preferred size and shape Weekly themes: 13 April - Blooming Flowers 20 April - Whimsical Landscapes 27 April - Freedom & Protest

Join us in discussing Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Novel by Olga Tokarczuk. With Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, Man Booker International Prize-winner Olga Tokarczuk returns with a subversive, entertaining noir novel. In a remote Polish village, Janina Duszejko, an eccentric woman in her sixties, recounts the events surrounding the disappearance of her two dogs. She is reclusive, preferring the company of animals to people; she’s unconventional, believing in the stars; and she is fond of the poetry of William Blake, from whose work the title of the book is taken. When members of a local hunting club are found murdered, Duszejko becomes involved in the investigation. By no means a conventional crime story, this existential thriller by ‘one of Europe’s major humanist writers’ (Guardian) offers thought-provoking ideas on our perceptions of madness, injustice against marginalized people, animal rights, the hypocrisy of traditional religion, belief in predestination – and caused a genuine political uproar in Tokarczuk’s native Poland. Everyone is welcome, regardless of what they thought about the book; we love hearing all kinds of opinions! You can join even if it's fully booked. Hope to see you soon! You can also join our Instagram account here: [https://www.instagram.com/goodbook.bookclub?igsh=djlwMW9wYXg2anFt](https://www.instagram.com/goodbook.bookclub?igsh=djlwMW9wYXg2anFt)

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hard-wood-treasure-box-15/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hard-wood-treasure-box-15/) **⋆⋆⋆** This is a content rich three-day course in a very small class size which includes: * **Supervised use of woodwork machinery**. **(surface planer thicknesser, panel saw, table router, hand router and bandsaw.)** * **Learning how to use jigs and rods**. * **Solid wood carcass construction.** From a technical drawing and a length of timber to the final sanding of the completed box, expert furniture maker and tutor, Marcin Waszak will guide each learner through all the steps needed to create this hardwood treasure box. The box measures 330mm x 304mm x 180mm and can be used to store lots of special things and perhaps become an heirloom! The beautiful hardwood and veneers used for this project has been sourced and prepared from a sustainable woodyard. The course begins by explaining how to stay safe while using our professional and powerful woodworking machines. Marcin will talk you through the materials and tools you will be using and let you practice before beginning the project. We have created a cutting list so that each person can learn how to process the wood and begin making very quickly. If you hanker to use some big machines and learn how to use jigs and to work accurately from plans, this is a great course for you. **Steps to making your own Treasure Box:** 1. Student introductions, inspirations and knowledge. 2. Introduction to the project. 3. Health and Safety. 4. Understanding the materials and tools we will be using in this course (wood technology, proper usage of the tools, jigs). 5. Practice on how to use the tools and jigs in the workshop. 6. Cutting list. 7. Making. Marcin says: ‘I will approach the sessions with a solid introduction not only to Health and Safety but to give an understanding of materials and tools. I believe it’s important to understand the nature of different types of wood and how it reacts (i.e. depending on variety, cut or thickness) when handling it, glueing or using different tools. There will be a great focus on how to use tools and machinery in the correct way for best results. We will be starting from technical drawing explanation and introduction to the material and the design itself. I will love to know people’s backgrounds before we start the session so everyone will feel more comfortable and confident to work as a team. I will have prepared a cutting list to make things easier and so we can start making (and having fun) as soon as possible. I would like to make the sessions inclusive and provide a safe space for everyone. I always take people’s abilities into account and endeavour to be there for students that want to share their struggles in order to make the making experience something they can enjoy.’

**Bookable via our website ➡️** https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodwork-flip-lid-dovetail-box-5-afternoons-2/ ⋆⋆⋆ An absorbing course for confident beginners and an enjoyable learning experience for anyone with a little woodworking experience. Using a fusion of hardwood and softwood, this five-week course will teach you the fundamentals of woodwork and give you an opportunity to use classic hand tools; brass-backed tenon saws, sharp wood chisels and delicately honed vintage wood planes. This well-proportioned flip-lidded box is constructed of European redwood using a single dovetail joint at each corner and the fitted hardwood lid is attached to the base by a handmade ‘dowel’ peg hinge. The project will familiarise learners with many classic woodwork techniques and is taught with patience and enthusiasm by Andy Nicholl, who has devised this informative and challenging project. You will take home a treasure to treasure- and we hope it will enthuse you to learn how to make many handmade woodwork projects in the years to come. If your keyboard-weary hands have been needing the skill to fulfil and satisfy a yearning desire to create something you can hold, come and join us in our well-equipped and inspiring workshops and discover the wonderful world of woodwork. **Key skills:** * Measuring marking and cutting dovetail joints to make an accurate framed box. * Planing and shaping a hardwood lid to fit the softwood frame base. * Making and fitting a hardwood dowel joint to attach the frame base to the lid.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-japanese-joints-5-evenings/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-japanese-joints-5-evenings/) ⋆⋆⋆ **Intro to Japanese Joints** If you are intrigued by the precision and elegance of Japanese joinery, we hope you will join us for six sessions of learning how to produce Japanese joints. Using unique and creative ways to avoid using screws, nails, and glue, this art is passed down from master to apprentice. Even with the advent of power tools, the craft is still practised by hand as a sign of respect towards their heritage, culture, and traditions. Japanese woodworking is all about principle, discipline, and accuracy. The lack of power tools is a testament to the practice put into mastering the craft. Experienced woodworker Auram Desforges is a Japanese joinery enthusiast. He will guide you through the Japanese tools and techniques to make several wood joints. You will learn which tools to use, and how to measure and cut with accuracy so that you can attempt any joint design in the future. Expect a calm workshop with lots of concentration. This course is not project-based but you will take home as many joints as you have crafted. Auram teaches other classes at the centre: Kumiko coasters, Kumiko lamp, Make a chair

Kennington Book Club Pick #1: The Merge Thank you to all of you who have joined the group. For our very first read together, I thought we could dive into The Merge by Grace Walker. This book is set in a near-future world facing overpopulation and climate collapse. To address this society introduces a radical solution: merging two people into a single consciousness. But what begins as a bold fix quickly raises deeper questions about identity, love, and what it really means to be human. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts - I’m hoping this one should give us a lot to talk about. If it helps you to have something to focus on while you’re reading, you could think about: - Where do you draw the line between sacrifice and loss of self? - Who should have the power to make decisions like this? - Is this a solution… or a warning? Going forward we’ll pick the next read together at the end of each meet up. Happy reading! Rachael

April is the time for recycled reads! This means that books we voted on before but didn't make the cut now can be chosen again! The winning book is: * The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon Get it now!

Have you ever wanted to be that person who sketches in a gallery but you're too nervous to have people look over your shoulder? Yea, I've been there. It's intimidating. You feel like you're in the room naked. I've also been the person to sit and sketch and it's one of the most rewarding activities you can do. Just you, the artwork, and a bunch of people wishing they could do the same. Come and join me on the first Friday of the month and let's go to a gallery. These will be small groups and free of charge. We'll visit a new gallery each month, hopefully free ones and we'll do an hour or so of sketching, followed by a cuppa tea afterwards. Make sure you register so I can send you all the information a few days before the event.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/willow-basket-making-54/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/willow-basket-making-54/) **⋆⋆⋆** A classic craft with a contemporary flair. One day willow basket-making workshop. Before the invention of the plastic bag most shopping was carried home in baskets, and in Britain willow was one of the main materials used to make them. If you have ever studied and admired work by a basket weaver, this is your chance to jump in and give your hands a treat. Over one day, experienced basket maker John Page will guide you through the stages of making a gorgeous traditional shallow basket in English Willow. This is an excellent beginner project in 'stake and strand' technique resulting in a very durable and strong structure. In this small workshop, there will be plenty of guidance and background information on this classic craft. John also repairs harps and plays the organ. He is a patient and easygoing tutor so come and join us for a creative, relaxing day. Beginners welcome. The use of all tools and basic materials is included.

Let's Crop!

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

**Let’s catch up and take an afternoon break.** **Grab a coffee or snack and let’s chit chat! Gayle and I will bring adult coloring books and/or a simple craft if you’d like to unwind and relax.😊**

We're meeting at 5pm local to read from and discuss Normal People by Sally Rooney. Read what you can beforehand and bring your thoughts, favorite moments, and questions. New members are very welcome.

**This month’s Creativity Circle is very timely. We will be making our own craft snowflakes out of paper, coffee filters, popsicle sticks, sparkles and more! Bring the snowy season inside without the wet and cold. All ages welcome, show up as you can, bring a friend or a few if you would like to! Excited to see you there! Seats Limited. Held at the Westerville Public Library Meeting Room B.**

It feels like we just saw each other 🤷. Join members of the local design and UX community for our monthly breakfast. For May we’re stopping in for Rooh’s popup breakfast/cafe concept. You know someone is getting the lobster yuzu croissant, and that’s not even the prettiest thing on the menu!.

This Monday 4/27/26 at 6:30p we will walking at Thompson Park. The address is 5600 Thompson Rd. We will meet at the shelter house. The walk will be approximately 2 miles on paved trails~Join us if you can.