We had a such a lovely time at Farahaway Café making macramé plant hangers at our last meeting.  Some of us have already caught the bug to make more!

 
Our November meeting will be the last one of 2021.  As a change to our normal meeting day, we will be getting together on Monday 22nd November for our long awaited special private Theatre Walk with Sheila from Show of Strength Theatre Company for an historical tour with a difference. Show of Strength have re-booted their amazingly successful and highly acclaimed theatre walks for the autumn/winter season, and we are delighted to invite our Malago WI members to join us for "Blood and Butchery in Bedminster".
 
"Bedminster — where graves were robbed by body snatchers, and corpses buried in concrete coffins. Where the old Chinese laundry vanished years ago, and where ‘laundering’ now means money, big money, 13 million, ‘laundered’ through a Bedminster bank. Where criminals were sentenced to hang in public, their cadavers flayed, their skin tanned and made into……the answer is in BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER".  
 
We'll begin at The Ropewalk, 5 Nelson Parade on Bedminster Parade Bedminster,BS3 4JA meeting at 7:30pm and end at The Hen and Chicken, where those of us who are thirsty can stop for a drink and some pizza and those of us who wish to take their leave can do so. The tour will last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
 
This event is free for members and spaces for guests are available at £5.
 
In 2021, we have been able to offer WI membership at a reduced rate, forgoing the Malago WI portion of subscriptions.  To enable us to offer an exciting face to face programme in 2022, we need to do some fundraising. With Christmas almost round the corner (sorry), we are excited to take part in a Christmas Fair at Bristol Distillery on Malago Vale Trading Estate, St John's Lane.  The Fair is on Saturday 4^th December 12pm to 4pm.  We will be selling cakes and crafts.  We need volunteers to make cakes (lemon drizzle cake, rocky road, brownies, biscuits) and help at the stall.  This is going to be a real family affair and we are excited to take part in a community event and promote our wonderful Malago WI.  If you can volunteer in any way, please contact wearemalagowi@gmail.com
 
We look forward to seeing you on Monday 22^nd November at 7:30pm!

 

Thanks to those who could join us for our quiz evening at the Hen and Chicken.  It was a great opportunity to socialise, have a natter and pit our wits against Quiz Master Vivienne. 
 
As the nights draw in, we are planning a cosy night at Farahaway Café on North Street for a macramé workshop.  Farah has had a passion for arts and crafts since she was younger - her mum had a craft shop, so she was always surrounded by creativity.  She wanted to share her love of crafts with others and thought a relaxing café environment with a space for workshops would be the perfect way to do that and bring a sense of community.
 
We will have the opportunity to learn the basic techniques of macramé and make a plant hanger to house your favourite plant. All materials, a hot drink and slice of cake or glass of fizz are included.  You will also be able to buy further snacks, cakes, and drinks.
 
Doors will open at 7pm for a prompt start at 7:30pm.  We have 20 spaces so if you would like to attend, please email wearemalagowi@gmail.com by Sunday 24^th October to reserve your place.  Guests are welcome at £10 each.
 
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Bedminster Winter Lantern Parade.  Held at the beginning of January, this is a great way to brighten up the dark nights and celebrate the wonderful schools and community groups which make up Bedminster.  They are looking for marshals to help at the event, so if you are interested, please contact Stef Brammar for more information.
 
We hope to see you next week for an evening of crafting and chat.

September news....

 

Our Summer of outings closed this year with a thoroughly entertaining walk and talk with Ed Hall along the harbourside
 
Due to the continuing vaccination programme, we are not able to return to the hall at British Road this month.  So, we continue our tour of Bristol venues.  This month we will be heading to a friendly local, the Hen and Chicken for a very British tradition, the Pub Quiz!
 
Our very own Vivienne will be putting together some trivia and brain teasers to test the grey cells, whilst ensuring we have some fun.  In teams of up to four, you will be able to test your knowledge and pit your wits against Malago WI’s Quiz Master.
 
This is a great opportunity to have a drink and chat, so please feel free to bring along a friend (or two!)
 
We will be in the Chicken Shed at the Hen and Chicken from 7:30pm for an 8pm start. Drinks and snacks can be purchased from the bar.
 
We hope to see you there. 

August news......

 

Extreme weather conditions did not stop us enjoying stories of great Bristol women courtesy of Jane Duffus and the Women that Built Bristol at Redcatch Community Garden.  Luckily their fabulous new marquee provided ample protection from the elements!
 
We are out and about again in August with Ed Hall.  Ed is a mine of information and has become a familiar face to visitors and locals alike having been doing commentary tours around the Floating Harbour for over 40 years. During the last decade he has been guiding various walking around the docks and central areas of Bristol with events for M Shed, the Civic Society and the Bristol Walking Festival. Our walk will start at Wapping Wharf in front of M Shed and then around a bit of the docks and along some of the New Cut before finishing back at Wapping Wharf at the bottom of Gaol Ferry Steps. Ed will explain some of the history of the area and how the docks got converted from its extreme tidal form to what became the largest enclosed 'Floating Harbour" in the world in 1809.
 
As the nights are drawing in, we want to make the most of the daylight so please meet outside M Shed, at the Prince Street Bridge end, from 7pm for a 7.15 start and we should be finished around 8.30pm ready for a glass of wine or a beer in one of the bars along Wapping Wharf.
 
We hope to see you there.  Please contact Avril 0780 395 4120 if you need to on the day.
 
We hope to see you there. 

July news....

 

After a lovely evening on the harbourside at Riverside Garden Centre we are heading off to Redcatch Community Garden where renowned author Jane Duffus will be entertaining us in the garden’s fabulous new marquee.
 
A journalist, editor and public speaker, Jane Duffus published her book The Women Who Built Bristol: Volume One in 2018 after uncovering fascinating stories of women who were otherwise absent from history books. From a heartbroken barmaid from Easton, to an abducted heiress, Duffus explores an eclectic mix of women who have made Bristol brilliant. You can also buy Jane’s book so please bring cash or card with you.
 
Redcatch Community Garden was set up by some passionate volunteers in 2017 on the disused bowling green in Redcatch Park in Knowle. It has grown into a thriving community space which is enjoyed by all with activities and events centred around gardening, food production and crafts. Past events have included themed pop-up food evenings, fairs, and Comedy nights.
 
On arrival one of the founders Mike Cardwell will walk and talk us around the garden and growing areas before taking our seats for Jane’s talk. 
 
There is a car park is off Broadwalk but you can usually find spaces on Redcatch Road as well, then walk across the park.
 
We will be starting slightly earlier than normally at 7:30, so please allow enough time to part and join us in the garden.  We look forward to seeing you then.

June news.....

 

Following a fascinating guided walk in May around the historic Underfall Yard we’re heading back outdoors for our next meeting on Wednesday 30^th June for a private visit the lovely Riverside Garden Centre. Hopefully we will have a lovely sunny evening and be able to enjoy its wonderful setting with panoramic views of the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, the city docks, and the Bristol skyline beyond. 
 
Riverside is Bristol's largest independent garden centre. Established in 1987, its overriding aim is to create a unique destination offering a wide range of high-quality plants and products. Their knowledgeable and friendly staff are always on hand to provide help and give advice when required. It is run as a social enterprise, engaging with the wider community in Bristol by supporting and initiating projects and working with several local charities.

Doors will open from 7.15pm for a 7.30 start. On arrival we’ll be greeted with a glass of prosecco before heading off with green-fingered expert Steve Shaw to find out more about the amazing selection of plants, shrubs, and trees on offer. It’s your chance to get advice on choosing what to plant and where, how to look after your garden and handy tips and advice before reconvening to their award-winning café for lovely cakes and refreshments. You will also be able to buy plants and other goods before you go (NB card payment only!)
 
To comply with Covid restrictions please bring a mask to wear in the communal areas.
 
Numbers are limited to 30 – so please RSVP to wearemalagowi@gmail.com by Thursday 23 June to secure your place.  Guests are welcome at £5 and places will be allocated on first come, first serve basis.  There is ample carparking available on site for free.  Riverside is off Clift House Rd, Southville, Bristol BS3 1RX
 
We look forward to seeing you there.

May news.....

 

As lockdown restrictions ease, we are delighted to able to offer our first face to face meeting in over a year.  We can’t wait to see our members both old and new.
 
As part of our summer programme of outings, our first meeting of 2021 will be at the Underfall Yard.  A survivor from a time when Bristol was a busy industrial port, Underfall Yard is a working boat yard and docks maintenance facility that has been in continual use since the 1880s. Join us for a tour of the site to explore the yard’s unique collection of Victorian buildings set in a stunning location on Bristol’s Harbourside. We will discover the elegant Georgian engineering that created the Floating Harbour and continues to perform an essential (and largely hidden) role in water management and flood prevention. A highlight of the tour is experiencing the yard’s Victorian machines in action to see how things were done in the days before computers and 3D printing and experience the heavy engineering that once powered Bristol Docks. 
 
To kick off our first meeting, we would like to celebrate with welcome drinks before the tour.  We will be meeting outside the Cottage Inn by the waterfront at 7pm and making our way to the outside seating area in front of the Underfall Yard café to enjoy a glass of bubbly.  The tour will be from 7:30 to 8:30. The tour will take place inside and outside so you may need a coat.
 
After the tour, if people would like to join us, we will make out way to the Cottage or Nova Scotia for a drink.  If you are driving, there is parking available either at the Cottage Inn or the SS Great Britain and Brunel Lock has parking which is only a short walk away.
 
There will be an opportunity for members to pay their subscriptions.  Membership for returning members will be £22.40 and new members £44. Guests are also welcome at a cost of £5. We will be acceptable to accept cheque or cash payments.
 
As there is a restriction on numbers, it would be helpful if you could let us know if you plan to attend by Friday 21^st May by emailing wearemalago@gmail.com.
 
It’s been a while since we have been able to get together so fingers crossed for dry weather!

April news.....

So as lockdown starts to ease slightly, we are looking forward to seeing you all again.  Hopefully we will welcome some new members –we are all desperate for some fun and socialising!
 
We appreciate that for Malago members, COVID restrictions on gatherings has hit our programme hard.  When we asked members about options - feedback from some of you was that there was not much interest in an online programme. We have always felt that many of our members joined Malago to meet new people, to get out for an evening and to socialise. We had comments that you either spend all day on screen for work, or home schooling, or you are not interested/able to participate in Zoom type meetings. Plus, there are lots of online workshops, events available anyway. 
 
Although lockdown is thankfully easing it is unlikely, we will be able to meet up as usual inside until after the summer plus the hall is currently being used as a vaccination centre. So, we are focussing on some fun outdoor activities to all of us to meet again over next few months
 
In May we will be offering a guided tour of Underfall Yard – hopefully in person. it’s a fascinating place steeped in history with lots to see and hear about.
 
In June we are going to have a bit of a party at the lovely Riverside Garden Centre with a talk and tour with advice about plants (plus opportunity to buy!) with cakes and nibbles/drinks from their fab café.
 
We are still looking at plans for July, but in August we are planning another outdoor event possibly a picnic in the park or rescheduling the Theatre Walk with Show Of Strength Theatre Company.  Then in September we will be back either in the hall, or another inside venue, with a programme of talks, demos, workshops etc.
 
As a response to COVID restrictions, the National WI suspended membership fee for three months with them restarting in April 2021 until April 2022.
 
The new yearly subscription will be £44. The membership is divided between National Federation and Avon Federation (£22.40) and Malago WI (£21.60). The National Federation has confirmed that going forward the membership fee due to them and Avon Fed must still be paid but that individual WIs can, if they wish, waive our part of the membership fee if they feel this will help support its members and encourage people to renew.
 
As we were not able to offer a programme of activities last year to our existing members, we have agreed to waive Malago WIs share of the fee for 2021 for any members wishing to renew, meaning that renewing members will be charges £22.40.  As COVID restrictions ease, we are hoping to be able to 10 meetings this year and welcome new members.  The membership fee for new members will be £44.  Guests will still be able to attend meetings and outings for £5 where we have capacity. 
 
We are cautiously excited to see familiar (and new faces) in the coming months.
 

January news...

 

Sadly, due to the ongoing COVID restrictions we can’t see it being possible to meet any time soon which is disappointing and frustrating.  As you know we had hoped to do a Theatre Walk with Show Of Strength Theatre Company  and despite rescheduling twice this hasn’t been possible.
 
Looking ahead we need to make you aware of the WI Federation’s position on membership.  It was confirmed in 2020, that membership renewals would not take place until April 2021 and going forward renewals would continue to be in April. 
 
During the second lockdown, as a committee we discussed whether members would like to take part in virtual meetings. We may not represent the range of views of the wider membership but some of us felt that those people working are probably fed up with staring at a computer all day and trying to catch up with family/friends etc in the evenings and therefore might not want to take part in WI meetings.  There are also a range of online classes/activities/performances etc now available. We are also aware that we may have members who do not have access to online meeting platforms. We are now in a third lockdown with working from home and home schooling causing real pressure for some of our members.
 
Given the current circumstances and the likelihood we will not be able to hold face to face meetings for some time, we would like to hear from you as to whether you would be interested in running virtual meetings in the interim.
 
If you want to continue with your membership, we can certainly look to create a virtual programme of talks and activities and would welcome any suggestions.  Others however may want to leave it for now and not renew until face-to-face meetings and activities are possible.
 
If you have a spare minute and email us at wearemalagowi@gmail.com with your thoughts either way, as well as any further ideas that would be helpful.
 
In the meantime here is another selection of short films from the Civic Society; The Story of Bristol Cars, Bristol Buses in the 1950’s, Bristol Rollercoaster and The Lost Charlie Alpha  
 
Take care and stay safe