Merry Christmas!

Women of south Bristol, hello!

Our second meeting took place on 10 December and saw a good mix of return customers (phew) and new faces – welcome one and all. The activity of the night was the construction of elegant and fabulous Christmas decorations from humble scraps, on a budget of just £10. From the simple retro decorations demonstrated by Carrie, to the intricate snowflakes from Alice, via big, blousey snowballs by Lottie, Ebenezer church hall was alive with activity and the sound of chattering voices and chinking cups. What better way to spend a frosty Winter evening? For those of you who missed it, you can find instructions to Carrie and Lottie’s decorations here and here; Alice’s creation will remain as elusive and mysterious as the abominable snowman… UPDATE: Here's a video tutorial for making the paper snowflakes, from our friends at BUST across the pond.

MEMBERSHIP
We now have 22 paid up members which is a marvellous start to our enterprise. Don’t forget – we need as many members as possible to run the exciting and varied events programme we envisage for Malago WI, so if you would like to join then come along to the next meeting armed with your chequebook or £29 in cash for a year's membership.

Malago WI is open to new members, so you’re welcome to bring your friends. And spread the word – if you have an opportunity to promote our branch at events, fairs or even a poster in your window, let us know and we can let you have a batch of flyers.

JANUARY MEETING
The next meeting will be Wednesday 28 January at 8pm, and we will be welcoming Dr Steve Humphries of Testimony Films. Steve will be sharing stories of wartime women, gleaned from his work in oral history documentation. This is a talk not to be missed – illuminating and fascinating tales of our foremothers from someone who interviewed them first hand. We should probably say that the content may be rather ‘adult’ in places – not for the faint-hearted. But you all seem to be made of stern stuff!

As with all meetings, we’re on the lookout for cakes, biscuits, treats and healthy snacks (post-Christmas waistline anyone?), so if you’d like to bring something along just email jointhewi@gmail.com to let us know. Sue, Rebecca and Lucy have already volunteered their services - thanks to you three in advance.

FUNDRAISING
Malago WI ran a stall at the Christmas Market at the Star and Dove in Totterdown on 20 December. Although it was a little quieter than we’d hoped, we managed to raise over £60 profit and, as always, our stall was beautiful and the Malago WI wares went down a treat. Have a look at the pictures on our Flickr site. Thanks to all those who contributed goods or took the time to work behind the stall, and especially to Kirstie for organising the whole thing.

To supplement membership subs we’d be interested to hear of any opportunities for us to raise money, as well as our profile. If you have an idea for a fundraising event, drop us an email – jointhewi@gmail.com

PUBLICITY
Original 106.5FM had hoped to attend our December meeting, but will now be coming in January. The reporter would like to talk to some of us about what the WI is and why we’re doing it, arriving early and leaving before the meeting starts. If you are happy to take part, please arrive at 7.45pm and let us know on the door.

MEETING DATES 2009
From January, meetings will take place the last Wednesday of the month, so the next few dates for your diary are 28 January, 25 February and 25 March – details to be confirmed.

From us and ours to you and yours, have a very Merry Christmas, and we’ll see you in 2009.
Malago WI