Malago Women's Institute

Happy New Year!

2012-01-10T21:02:00.002Z

Well, hello 2012, you're looking mighty fine!

We had such fun at our annual Ways With Wool meeting back in November, and loved the pompom wreaths we made. Check out Alice's awesome Flickr pics for a flavour of our last meet of the year.

Malago WI is open for business, so if you'd like to join us then come along to our January meeting with a cheque or cash for £31.50 and that coveted membership will be yours. Likewise, you can try us for size, so if you want to see what we're all about first then come as our guest.

January is typically a bluesy kind of month, but we're going to beat those blues with an inspiring talk from the cheeriest people in Bristol, Happy City.

Happy City exists to spread happiness. A small not-for-profit organisation, Happy City helps people and their communities to focus on happiness, and put their energy into the things that support and increase it. Maybe you’ve got a bright idea and need help making it happen? Perhaps you’ve got a little time to spare or some knowledge or experience to share? Come along to find out how we can work together to make our city and its inhabitants better, brighter and happier than ever before. It should make for an inspiring and exciting start to 2012. Plus, of course, we'll be breaking our diet to sample Malago's famous tea and cake - mail us to get your 'hour a year' covered off early by helping out with refreshments.

If you want to know what's coming up at Malago WI in 2012, head on over to our Programme page. And we've got a new Committee - check 'em out, MWI, they're doing it all for you.

See you next time - Wednesday 25 January, 8pm, Bedminster Methodist Church Hall.

Keep smiling!
MWI x

Happy Birthday - we are three!

2011-11-22T20:36:00.001Z

You don't look a day over two, Malago WI!

We had a fantastic birthday meeting in October, swishing and sweeting with all those beautiful clothes you brought and the amazing sweet jars filled with party bag sugar. Deliciosa!

And in amongst the high jinx, we even managed to conduct some very formal WI business, including saying a very fond farewell to our outgoing president, Karen Bowers, who has served with dedication, generosity, hard work and a whole lotta love. She is missed already.

Moira delivered our accounts with aplomb - apparently she presented Malago WI accounts to the official WI bods at head office, who were full of praise, saying they were some of the best accounts they'd seen. High praise indeed.

Incoming committee members for 2011-12 are as follows:
President - Marie Wilkinson
Vice president - Lottie Storey
Treasurer - Moira Broadway
Secretary - Yvonne Long
Members at large (covering programming, membership, fundraising, artistic direction and events) - Emma Squire, Nancy Horlick, Lindsay Brazington, Alice Hendy, Angie Last

So, onwards and upwards. November's meeting is our annual Ways with Wool extravaganza, and this year we will be making some rather spiffing pom pom crafts, including necklaces, wreaths and lampshades. We'll provide wreath frames and some equipment and yarn, but if you have your own stash - even an old woolly jumper that could be unravelled and reused - then bring it along. The more the merrier.

If you're able to bring a cake, then drop us a line to let us know. We're laying down fat for the winter, so expect hot tea and great hunks of gateau - we can always do with more of the latter, and we know you lot are a dab hand at the stove.

And don't forget - we're opening up membership for this meeting, the last before Christmas. So bring along your subs for 2012 - £31.50 - and tell your friends. Malago WI is open for business!

Tiddly om pom pom...

MWI x

Happy Birthday to us...

2011-10-23T20:09:00.004+01:00

Many happy returns, Malago!

Can it really be 3 years ago that we held our very first meeting? Haven't we come a long way??

We had such fun at our September salsa, on that steamy evening in the Southbank Centre. Feels like a world away now that the nights have drawn in and we've got our thermals on.

October's meeting is going to be a corker, with celebrations a-plenty. Time to make sure those beautiful pre-loved clothes, shoes and accessories are clean and ready to go. Bring them along to Wednesday's meeting when we will swish the night away, with our swap, birthday cake, and sweet bar. The party will also be an opportunity to introduce the new committee and to vote in the new team.

Don't forget to bring hangers along with your swish items, and we'll see you on Wednesday - usual time, usual place.

We were thrilled to hear about a WI opera from 1969, 'Of the Brilliant and the Dark', which has been resurrected and will be performed as a one-off event at the Cube on 20 November. Check it out, sisters.

And membership for 2012 will be open from November's meeting onwards. Grab your place while you still can, for an annual fee of just £31.50.

MWI x

September news

2011-09-24T22:46:00.003+01:00

Change of venue alert!

Happy autumn equinox, Malago WI. Are you enjoying the fairest of the seasons?

Seems we're set for some heat this week, and Malago WI is no exception. On Wednesday we'll be feeling hot with a spot of salsa at the Southbank Centre. Wear clothes and shoes you can dance in, and we'll provide the tunes, refreshments and sparkling company. Same time, different place - don't miss it. There's one free drink in it for you and every member (September and October are members-only meetings, we're open to all for our November Ways with Wool though).

October's meeting is our 3rd birthday and we're celebrating in style with a swish. Bring along old favourites from your wardrobe for our swap-a-thon - clothes, shoes and accessories in tip-top condition are all you need to bring to swap with your ever-stylish Malago pals. Free clothes! Woo hoo!

Best of Bedminster - Saturday 1 October
Malago WI will provide drinks, cakes, and kids activities once again at the Best of Bedminster show. For the third year running we're heading to North Street Green from 11am on Saturday 1 October - come and support your local community, and if you can donate a cake or two then drop us a line.

Other news
Earlier this year, we talked campaigns with Selina from InterCre8. The Women's Institute has now adopted Love your Libraries as the new campaign - lend your support by visiting the website. And, indeed, your library.

Malago WI committee and programme for 2012 is shaping up nicely. We'll be voting in the new committee at October's meeting, and there's still room for more. If you'd like to lend your support - in any capacity - then please collar a committee member on Wednesday, or send us an email. We'd love to have you.

Brunel group
Malago WI is part of the Brunel group (a wider collection of 6 local WI branches) and the next Brunel group meeting takes place on Tuesday 25 October at 7.30. Anyone who'd like to attend from MWI is welcome, tickets are £3.50, the meeting takes place in Stockwood. There will be a vintage feel, with a guest speaker who will reflect on one exciting 20th century year, and Malago WI will judge the photography competition. If you fancy going back in time with the Brunel group then bring your ticket money, put your name down at our September meeting and we'll give you all the details.

That's all for now, we're watching Calendar Girls.

MWI x

August news from Malago WI

2011-08-29T09:58:00.003+01:00

Malago mesdames, bonjour!

As summer putters to a rather pathetic close and thoughts turn to golden leaves, roaring fires and hearty stews, what better way to celebrate the last day of August than a good old Malago knees-up? And August's meeting sees us examining the tricky subject of sleep.

Many things - such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly - are done worst when we try hardest to do them
CS Lewis

Good old Clive Staples knew a thing or two. As does Dr Sue Jackson, sleep expert, who will be laying down the basics for us. Why do we sleep? What does it do for us? How can we improve the quality of our sleep? What with tips for getting at least 40 winks, and our famous Malago tea and cakes, August's meeting will score high on the refresh-o-meter.

Coming up later this year:
You dancing? I'm asking!
September's meeting will welcome the Strictly season with a session of dance basics. This meeting is MEMBERS ONLY and requires a change of venue. Not the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, I'm afraid, but next best thing - the Southbank Centre.

Malago WI will once again be serving refreshments at the Best of Bedminster show, which takes place on Saturday 1 October. Jacqui and Hannah, committee fundraisers extraordinaires, have been plotting and planning, drawing up a rota for the day. If you'd like to help, collar them at the next meeting. Or just come along on the day to support our cause, have fun in the sun (hopefully), and enjoy everything North Street Green has to offer.

And October's meeting is our 3rd birthday party! Join us for fun, food and a swish. For the uninitiated, swishing is clothes-swapping - bring along clothes, shoes and accessories that you don't wear anymore and swap them for a new-to-you outfit or two. Previous swishing evenings have kitted our members out in some fantastic new clothes and we've been very impressed with the standard of swish items.

November is our last meeting of the year, and sees the return of our ever-popular Ways with Wool night. Plans are top secret at the moment, but you are sure to take home a beautiful (and possibly festive?) woolly treat. Watch this space.

We're off for a kip. See you Wednesday!
Malago WI
www.malagowi.co.uk
wearemalagowi@gmail.com

July newsletter

2011-07-20T21:51:00.004+01:00

Q: What's grey and white and wet all over?
A: British summer.

The weather might be a joke, but we are carrying on regardless in the (perhaps deluded) belief that willing the sun to shine will make it so. And with that in mind, we are excited and delighted by July's meeting - our Magnificent Malago Summer party (Wednesday 27 July, 8pm). Wednesday's meeting will be a charming affair, complete with our village fete-style, 'Best of Malago' show, a gentle quiz, and strawberries & cream. What could be finer?

The categories for the show are:
1. Sweet - cakes, puddings, confectionary, jams and anything else you'd find on a dessert trolley
2. Savoury - quiche, tarts, pies, pickles, chutneys and all things mouth-watering
3. Craft - I don't think we need to tell you any more about this one, just bring along something you've made

Edibles should be labelled with ingredients (let's avoid any allergic reactions) and your name. Please bring along the recipe too, if you can.

Judging will take place during the first half of the quiz, and all entries will then be divided up and shared and eaten by all. General merriment to follow. What better way to spend a warm, summer's evening? (Stop laughing!)

You might remember back in the Spring, we used the WI resolution vote as the basis for our speech workshop. Well, the votes are in and the overwhelming majority of WI branches voted for the libraries campaign. Find out more on the National WI website.

And if you haven't already been, we'd recommend a trip to M shed, where Malago WI have a little exhibit. Aren't we fancy??
MWI x

www.malagowi.co.uk
wearemalagowi@gmail.com

The Darkling Plain - 11 and 12 July

2011-07-10T21:47:00.000+01:00

Malago WI will be taking part in 1940s vintage fair at the Tobacco Factory, 11 and 12 July, 6 - 7.30pm.

The fair features stalls, bunting and jitterbugging, and is a warm up for the headlining Pride Bristol theatre piece, The Darkling Plain. The play is a 1940s' comedy which features the WI, playing a major part in the war effort.

Find out more about the play on the Pride Bristol site, on the Darkling Plain's blog, or buy tickets for the play from the Tobacco Factory website. Entry to the pre-play fair is free, so come down and say hello to Malago WI.

Pip pip!

A Midsummer Malago Dream

2011-06-26T21:17:00.000+01:00

Hello Malago!

If Glastonbury fever and the summer solstice are getting your leylines in a twist, come along to our next meeting where we will find inner peace with a Tai Chi special. Jackie Wright will be taking us through the motions and helping us find some much-needed balance - Wednesday 29 June, 8pm.

We'll cool down with drop or two of flower fizz and if this weather holds we might even attempt an outdoor session - if you haven't experienced the Ebenezer garden, you're in for a treat. Don't forget to wear your loosest, comfiest clothes. Are those druid robes clean? Stonehenge mud can be a devil to get out.

Just a brief one this month, back to Paul Simon Glastontelly.

Om!
MWI x

Art, cakes and DIY

2011-05-19T21:27:00.000+01:00

Dear Malago WI

How are you keeping? Well, I hope, despite the unseasonable chill. For those who weren't at April's meeting, we hope you'll notice an improvement in our diction from here on in. Selina from InterCre8 did us proud - we learnt trick after well-enunciated trick designed to get our vocal cords waggling like never before, and I doubt I'll ever forget our little library mime. A triumph.

But it wasn't all fun and bumping into each other - there was the serious business of resolution votes to contend with too. The results are now in and I can reveal that, although a very close-run contest, the Megafarms resolution just pipped Libraries to the post. More on campaigns later in the year.

Coming up next month, we have Jo Behari, DIY expert extraordinaire, who will give us the lowdown on easy ways to Do It Ourselves and fix those annoying little jobs about the house. Hooray. Membership has hit record levels, and we are now freezing membership - this means May's meeting will be members only. No guests for the time being, but we will be sure to let you know when membership is open again.

And don't forget: this weekend is the Southbank Bristol Arts Trail, when wondrous arty delights await you in homes and other locations across Southville and beyond. Malago WI will be selling cakes and creating children's crafts at the Tobacco Factory market on Sunday, 10am-2.30pm. Pop by and say hello!

*Last minute call - is anyone a dab hand at face painting? If you could spare two hours to paint faces at our stall, please contact us ASAP (wearemalagowi@gmail.com). Thanks *

That's all for the time being. All together now: Mo Mah Meee Mah Malagooooooo....

MWI x

Full As An Egg

2011-04-26T09:48:00.002+01:00

Well, hasn't it been a great summer so far? We've been on the Pimms, which explains the lateness of this missive - apols, dear Malagoers. We had such a lovely time with Ali Cook at our March meeting, and look younger already thanks to her magic potions. It was quite a turn-out, wasn't it? We weren't expecting that, hence we were a bit short on materials. It won't happen again, we promise. Great to see Maureen, our new Avon adviser, joining in the fun too.

Coming up TOMORROW NIGHT: Our April meet sees the return of the fabulous Selina Keedwell of Intercre8. Some of you old-timers will remember Selina from 2009, when she led us as one voice in a confidence-building speaking and singing workshop. Well, two years on and Selina is back again, this time to give us a few pointers for speaking in public - a subject that fills even the most confident among us with fear and dread, hence the need to tackle this beast head-on. And, as we are expert multi-taskers, the subject matter of which we will speak is the 2011 WI resolutions, with a vote at the end of the evening. Neat or what? 8pm, usual place, usual cakes.

Exciting news! We are nearly at maximum capacity. Membership has been so popular this year that we will close our books after our April meeting, so if you want to join - tomorrow's your night. Cheque books at the ready...

And on to May. Two things:
:: Art Trail
Our activities for the art trail are moving on a-pace, and if you haven't yet volunteered your services for cake-baking, puppet-making or stall-holding, drop us a line. It's the weekend of May 21-22, and we're after scones and other small, round baked wonderfulness PLUS odd socks (not together, you understand). Bring your socks to tomorrow's meeting.

:: May meeting
In May, we welcome the amazing Jo Behari, of Home Jane. You might recognise Jo from her current Channel 4 series, Make Do Mend. C4 describes Jo as 'a DIY mistress of all trades - an expert on everything from plumbing to painting'. We need her in our lives! You can catch up with the series on C4 on demand, or catch the real thing at our May meeting, Wednesday 25 May.

A demain,
MWI x

Marching on...

2011-03-27T21:26:00.004+01:00

Dear Women of Malago

I'm sure there's a pun involving bags to be made, but I'm not going there - our bag-making session was such fun and so many creative and beautiful bags were spotted around the room. And it was a top turn-out too. Well done to all who came, brought friends, joined up and made lovely things.

If you're up for it, we'd love it if you'd bring back your finished article for photos and prizes. Don't be shy.

So, what news? We're getting near our ceiling membership number, so if you're dithering now is the time to take action and join up. Bring your subscription (£30 cash or cheque) to the March meeting.

Talking of which, we are very excited to welcome back Ali Cook, who taught us Indian Head Massage all those months ago, and who will bring her aromatherapy bag of tricks and recipes so that we can all make our own cleaning/beauty products. Meeting is Wednesday 30 March, 8pm, usual place. Don't miss it.

And if you want to see what's coming up later this year, have a look at our programme page which is up-to-date with the latest meeting information. Another exciting programme to peruse is that of Denman College - yes, that very location Donna described at the last meeting. Fancy a trip away learning a new skill? Denman's the place.

The weather's been so lovely these past days you'd be forgiven for thinking spring has sprung and summer is on the way. It won't be long... in fact, we're counting down the days to the Southbank Art Trail - Malago WI will, once again, be in the thick of things, selling our wares at the Tobacco Factory Market on Sunday 22 May. If you would like to help out, please talk to a committee member at the next meeting or email wearemalagowi@gmail.com. We need:
:: cakes
:: volunteers to work on the stall on the day (short shifts available)
:: volunteers to help with a kids' activity

Until Wednesday, we remain
Ever yours, ever Malago WI x
wearemalagowi@gmail.com

STOP PRESS - March meeting confirmed

2011-03-19T14:12:00.000Z

Hello

Confirmed: our March meeting takes place on Wednesday 30 March, at 8pm, where we will be making aromatherapy potions for home and body with Ali Cook of Pure Bliss Aromatherapy. All materials will be provided.

Ali is a woman with many strings to her bow: not only did she teach us Indian Head Massage back in the first year of Malago WI, but she is also one half of Bristol Vintage who are putting on the South West's first vintage wedding fair this weekend. Head to the zoo pavilion on Sunday 20 March between 10am-5pm for all things vintage - free entry! And you might spot a committee member with a beehive. Buzz...

More news soon. Enjoy the sunshine x

Trees, keys and teas

2011-02-17T22:12:00.001Z

Once upon a time...

January's meeting - what a fantastic start to the year. Lots of new faces as well as a good gaggle of old friends made for a really energetic and welcoming meeting. Martin the storyteller told tales of wonder and delight, sparking memories of childhood winters and imaginings of celebrity stalkers. Such fun.

And onto February in all its gleaming glory. The shortest month means that our meeting falls on Wednesday 23 February, and we will sparkle and shine with our Malago bag-making extravaganza. Bags and iron-on transfers will be provided, as well as a few bits and bobs from our stock cupboard, but please bring any embellishments you'd like to use/share such as:
buttons
beads
ribbon
fabric
felt
sequins

If you need to buy these supplies, head on down to our local craft shop and new partner, Paper Village. As well as all the above, PV sells the best treasure, including embroidery threads, gem stones, fabric paints/pens, pom-poms, lace, braid, thread, feathers, glitter varnish and much more. If you do need to stock up, you'd better get to Paper Village by the end of Saturday as they are closed for a few days after that. Look out for more MWI/PV news in the future.

We're also swapping books, so bring along a book you think your fellow WI-ers might enjoy for our swap table and you can take a new-to-you tome home in exchange.

February's meeting also sees a visit from Donna Butcher, who will give us a short talk about the WI's training school, Denman College.

Don't forget to tell your friends, and drag them along for a chat, a cuppa and a craftastic meeting on Wednesday - membership is filling up fast.

MWI x

Are you sitting comfortably?

2011-01-24T21:17:00.000Z

Happy New Year!

We are so looking forward to the first Malago WI meeting of 2011, we can barely contain our excitement. January's meeting (Wednesday 26) will feature an expert story-teller, Martin Maudsley, who will delight us with tales a-plenty before divulging a few secrets of the story-telling world. We'll be budding Jackanory presenters by the end of the evening, no doubt. Coincidentally enough, the week after our meeting is the fifth annual Bristol Storytelling Festival, so if your whistle is well and truly wetted head over there for more of the same.

If you haven't been to a Malago WI meeting before, you can expect fun, friendly folk and the opportunity to learn new skills, all washed down with lashings of tea and cake. Newcomers will be made most welcome - do come along and try us out for size. There's no obligation to join, just come as a guest and see what you think. If you would like to become a 2011 member, the cost is £30 for 11 meetings (no December meeting). Email us for a membership form, bring along a £30 cheque or cash on the night and be prepared to have the last Wednesday in every month exponentially improve your quality of life. If you are already a convert, please help our cause by telling your friends about Malago WI, or bring a friend along. Pick up a poster or some of our beautiful business cards and help us spread the word far and wide.

To get the very latest updates on all matters Malago, please sign up to our mailing list - there's a box over there on the right for you to enter your email address, and we'll pop up in your inbox every now and again. Facebook and Twitter users can also find us in those worlds - again, links on the right there, see?

January is that time of year when WI members are asked to vote on 2011 campaign resolutions (more about campaigns here). You will need your November/December issue of WI Life, as the voting form is on page 37 (with details of the resolutions pages 34-37) - no other format will be counted. Hand your form to Odette McBride at January's meeting, who will forward these to our Federation. This vote whittles down the resolutions to one, which we then vote for or against in April/May. Do let us know if you don't receive WI Life and wish to do so.

As a prominent women's group in Bristol, Malago WI has been asked to take part in the Bristol City Council Women's Voice survey. The Council would like the views of women and women's organisations in the city on the best ways to ensure that women's issues and concerns influence the decisions that are made by public bodies such as the Council, the Primary Care Trust, Bristol Hospital Trust and the Police. Fill out the survey here.

See you for stories and sweet treats soon,
Malago WI x

The history of Malago WI

2011-01-24T20:54:00.000Z

Malago WI - the inaugural meeting

Malago Women's Institute began in October 2008. President Karen Bowers and Vice President Lottie Storey met while pregnant and became good friends during their maternity leave. Their antenatal group became a close-knit support group, just one of many similar groups of women in south Bristol and indeed across the land. When it came to return to work, Karen and Lottie wanted to preserve some of this camaraderie which proved so vital during the more testing child-rearing times - a striking parallel with the original aims of the very first WI 111 years previously.

Karen and Lottie decided to form Malago WI to provide a focus for all women in the community to come together each month, learn new skills, meet friends and generally have a jolly time. Joined by eight capable friends who together formed the first committee, Malago WI took off, buoyed by the renewed interest in the WI that was sweeping the country at the time. Since then, Malago WI has programmed exciting and diverse meetings and welcomed 15 speakers, over 200 women, and continues to provide a focal point for all women to meet up each month in south Bristol.

Malago WI hopes the original values we started with still lie at the heart of everything we do. That heart is filled with joy to see there are so many women out there who get as much pleasure from Malago WI as we do.

Malago WI fundraising

2011-01-23T22:27:00.002Z

In order to fund our monthly meetings, Malago WI has to undertake regular fundraising activities. Previously these have included the Best of Bedminster show, the Southbank Art Trail, the Tobacco Factory Christmas Market and others.

We rely on the generosity of our members, who make cakes and other products to sell, help with logistics/buying/selling/sourcing materials, as well as staffing stalls and making tea. Without this support, we could not take part in these activities, and we regularly request help at meetings for this sort of thing.

If you would like Malago WI's Marmalade Cafe to provide our famed tea and cakes at your event, please get in touch:
wearemalagowi@gmail.com

WI campaigning – a potted history and process

2011-01-23T22:08:00.006Z

The Women’s Institute has its origins in Canada. Following the avoidable death of her infant due to contaminated milk, Adelaide Hoodless set about campaigning for domestic science to be taught in schools. She addressed a group of farmer’s wives in 1897, who were inspired to form the first WI, mirroring the ‘Farmers Institute’ and including an educational programme.

The organisation grew rapidly and was replicated in Britain from 1915. It was backed by government for the duration of the First World War, with a remit to promote domestic food production.

Over the years the Women’s Institute (WI) has campaigned on a wide range of issues that matter to women and their communities, including Equal Pay in 1942, Breast Cancer Screening in 1975, Aids in 1986 and the introduction of new legislation EU to reduce the threat of hazardous chemicals in everyday products in 2006. Today our campaigns range from climate change and ending violence against women to the plight of the honey bee.

Every year WI members have the chance to put forward issues or ‘resolutions’ that they would like the national body to campaign on. These resolutions go through a year long debating and consultation process by the membership. Once the resolutions have been short-listed by the membership a select number are chosen for discussion at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June. If passed, these then become mandates and form the basis of campaigning activities in the years ahead. This process ensures that our campaigns have been through a democratic process involving all members and come from the grassroots of the organisation.

The Public Affairs Department carries out the campaigning, lobbying, policy and research work of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI). The department aims to ‘enable WI members to turn their concerns into campaigns, and thus bring influence to bear on decision-makers and opinion-formers about local, national and international issues.’ We achieve this through the resolution/ mandate process. The department represent the NFWI at a national level with policy-makers, produce supporting notes for resolutions and material and information to raise awareness, enable all members to lobby and campaign, and to take personal action on the mandate.

The national resolutions process is as follows:

June
Resolution submission form sent to WIs.

September
Resolution submission deadline.

October
The ‘long-list’ of resolutions is sifted and reduced to a ‘short-list’ of approximately 10
resolutions. The sifting is done by a committee made up of federations representatives
(rotated between feds), NFWI officers, members of the Public Affairs committee.

November
The short-list of resolutions competed with background notes are published for members to
consider.

January
Members have the opportunity to vote for their preferred resolution by completing the
voting slips received through WI Life. These should be handed to rep within their WI, who
then forwards them to the Federation by 31st January.

April/May
WIs discuss the final resolution and individual members use their voting slips received via
WI Life to either support or oppose the resolution becoming a mandate.

June
The resolution is discussed and voted on at the AGM. WIs are represented.

Federations and individual WIs are also able to campaign as they see fit. They should be selected democratically and approved by the organisation, which is both non-partisan and secular.

If members have a concern that they would like turning into a campaign, either at local, federation or national level, then speak out and let your committee know.

Join us!

2011-01-13T12:45:00.000Z

Merry Malago Christmas!

2010-12-29T14:45:00.004Z

Did you eat, drink and be merry? We hope so, we sure did. Funny how all that eating and sitting around and TV-watching can be so tiring.

First things first, please don't forget that there is no December meeting, and the social once planned for Wednesday 29 December will now not be happening. The next date for your diary is Wednesday 26 January, when we will meet at 8pm, usual time, usual place, for candle-lit storytelling with hot drinks and cuddly blankets. Sounds like we're planning for a power failure, doesn't it? It's supposed to be atmospheric and exciting...

It feels like a long time ago now, but we'd like to extend thanks to all those who helped out on our Tobacco Factory Christmas market stall. It was freezing, but we made a few pennies for our coffers and Alice made our stall beautiful as ever. Lots of people picked up our posters and cards, so we're hoping that might translate into oodles of new members.

If you haven't been to a Malago WI meeting before then this is the perfect time to come along, find out what we're about and sign up for a year of thrills, spills and copious quantities of tea and cake (but don't worry if you don't bake, that's not obligatory). For just £30 you (and your friends) can become a member of Bristol's most exciting WI group - membership is already over a third full so don't delay. We're cheaper than the gym!

And so as New Year's Eve rolls around, we look back at an exciting year of MWI - highlights include Jane Brocket and her beautiful quilt extravaganza, Morph-making with Aardman, Bollywood dancing, our second birthday party and pudding club, and the meetings in which we made do and mended - crochet, present-wrapping, and badge-making. Oh, they were all good actually. And we went hell for leather with our 10:10 commitment but there's still a way to go there - please have a look and see what changes you could make. Talking of our commitment to all things local, community and sustainable, Malago WI backs the Stop Sainsbury's campaign. Please take the time to send your objection to the council to help stop a superstore killing our community - we know it's the third time we've asked you to do this, but we're hoping it'll be three strikes and out this time.

Spread the word, tell your friends, and raise a glass or two to auld acquaintance this Friday eve.

See you in 2011 for a cup of Malago kindness!
MWI x

10:10 - Malago WI round-up

2010-12-29T14:31:00.001Z

So 2010 is coming to an end, and what have we done?

Many of our members signed up for the 10:10 campaign and pledged to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% over the course of the year. How did you get on? There's still time to make those changes that could amount to 10% and here's how;

join the campaign
change your lightbulbs to energy saving bulbs and turn them off
insulate your home (free to those with low income, over 60 or with under 16's in the house) and reduce drafts
cut down on flying
drive less; use public transport/ walk/ cycle/ lift share
grow your own food
buy responsibly; buy quality items that last, buy secondhand, buy energy efficient products, buy secondhand or FSC marked wood and either shop on foot/ bike or for larger items use home delivery services.
get an energy monitor (borrow from the library or often free from energy suppliers) and see what changes you can make to your electricity use via behaviour change; e.g. re-arranging plugs so that unused equipment is off; un-plug phone chargers, use Standby Savers.
eat seasonal and local produce, eat less meat and dairy and reduce food waste
reuse, repair and recycle
consider your heating; thermostatic control (reducing the temperature setting by 1% could reduce CO2 emmissions by 12%), use the timer to avoid heating the house when empty, wear an extra layer of clothing
conserve water; water butts, stop dripping taps, reduce toilet flush, showers instead of baths
buy renewable energy
produce our yown energy and heat

There are so many ideas (these are just a few) and the 10:10 website is a good place to start with case studies and lots of great ideas. What's more, please share your own ideas.

As mentioned at the November meeting, is there anything we can do to temper the impact of consumerist Christmas? Try to recycle as much wrapping as you can? Christmas cards make great gift tags for next year's presents. Go out for brisk walks rather than staying inside with the heating on full blast? Send thank you emails rather than more cards? Re-gift any unwanted presents? We'd love to hear any ideas you have to reduce/reuse/recycle when it comes to the festive season.

And what of the Malago WI? Opportunities for reducing our carbon footprint have been identified. Some have been realised, whilst others are yet to be achieved:

adhere to the environmental policy http://malagowi.blogspot.com/2009/04/malago-wi-environmental-policy.html
hold a screening of The Age of Stupid (I still have the DVD if anyone would like to borrow it)
efficient use of the water urn at meetings and events including operation, water saving and maintenance.
lighting and heating of the hall: talk to caretaker about light bulbs and heating controls.
meetings: consider sustainable materials and minimise waste.
host a swishing party and encourage 'slow fashion'.
travel to meetings: encourage members to liftshare/ walk or cycle whilst maintaining personal safety.

If you have any other ideas about how Malago WI could reduce its carbon footprint, then do share them with a committee member, so that we can continue to make improvements.

And that about sums it up....

See you in the New Year, where we hope you are able to arrive for the meeting 2 by 2 (having travelled with another member either on foot/ bike/ public transport or even by car)!!!!

Odette

Annual accounts

2010-12-29T13:55:00.000Z

As our website acts as the official minutes for our meetings, we need to record all Malago WI business here. So for all members, here are the accounts for our financial year ending 31 August 2010 (10 months only):

Receipts:
£519.10 - Receipts at meetings
£2093.50 - Subscriptions
£356.50 - Workshops
£126.00 - Age of Stupid film screening
£30 - Apron sales (Fundraising)
£51.30 - Bee awareness event (Fundraising)
£180 - Swish evening (Fundraising)
£0.79 - Bank interest
£15.00 - Donations
Total - £3372.19

Payments:
£75 - Hall
£1461.69 - Speakers and other meeting costs
£448.90 - Federation membership fees
£734.10 - National membership fees
£330 - workshops
£96.06 - Age of Stupid film screening
£15 - Art trail
£98.61 - Gores Marsh fundraising (expense from previous year)
£53.01 - Bee awareness event (Fundraising)
£114.39 - Swish evening (Fundraising)
£83.26 - Errors on audit last year
Total - £3510.02

Opening balance at 1.11.09 - £2094
Deficit for year - £137.83
Closing balance at 31.8.10 - £1956.17

Too many puddings?

2010-10-31T20:21:00.026Z

Is that what Ruth, our lovely judge, was thinking the next day? Thank you to everyone who came to our first pudding night and 2nd birthday party. It was a delicious special evening - who can forget the mysterious Ritz cake and of course the winning cheesecake? We are grateful to Daphne Vise, now chair of Avon Federation, for attending and showering MWI with praise and encouragement. We should also note for the record that Karen Bowers was voted in as president for the coming 12 months, with Lottie Storey as vice president, and that our accounts will be presented at November's meeting.

Our unreserved apologies are due to anyone who turned up on the 27th, we promise to not change meeting dates again unless totally unavoidable.

Onwards to the festive season - November 24th is Christmas Creations and 'Challenge Alice'....to wrap absolutely anything! Please bring your challenging presents, and if you fancy having a go at something less challenging please bring a gift to have a go yourself (after a demo of course, wrapping materials provided).

You will also have an exclusive opportunity to buy, with first choice of gorgeous vintage china cakestands and candles made by your very own committee. Perfect gifts or just treat yourself (you could wrap it on night and put under the tree with your name on and no-one will be any the wiser).

There will also be a prize draw for anyone renewing or joining for 2011 on the night. Cost a bargain 30 pounds. So members please bring any curious friends and beat the January rush. Any guests who want to come are welcome and we just ask for a donation towards refreshments for this our last 2010 meeting (please note there is no meeting in December).

Finally, another prize will be up for grabs - the best homemade decoration! We are thinking maybe something you made as a child, but anything as long as made by your own fair hands!

Our stall at the Tobacco Factory Christmas market (December 5th) promises to be absolutely full of beautiful things. We do need a few more volunteers to sell, and chat, for a couple of hours, please email us as soon as possible.

Please also email us if you are interested in joining a quilting group, and the last word to Jane Brocket:
"If I am in any way responsible for inspiring members of the Malago WI to have a go and enjoy quilting, then I’m truly delighted!"

Puddings and quilts

2010-10-18T21:18:00.005+01:00

This Wednesday is pudding night, bring a couple of portions to share - and news hot off the press: non members welcome!

And thanks to our lovely quilting tutor Nicola, we had a lovely time (photos linked below) and at least a few of us are truly hooked.

Creative crochet, comforting puddings, and Christmas cheese

2010-10-15T20:57:00.014+01:00

September's meeting was a busy one, we do seem to like our woolly creations. It took me 6 attempts to do a slip knot, and things did not improve on the night. But then the next day I did a whole crochet flower(ish). Miracle. Any creations of your own? Do send us photos! Many thanks to all the patient teachers on the night.

We meet again October 20th for a pudding night to celebrate our 2nd birthday. Please bring equivalent of 2 portions of a pudding - you may have made it or you may not....there may be stories to tell of a family tradition, it may be a recipe you have always wanted to try, or it may be angel delight! We will be sharing tastes and recipes (please bring the recipe if possible), with cream and custard ready and waiting (there will also be re-heating facilities). Please also bring your own spoon, bowl and a nice glass for some fizzy cordial.

As mentioned at the meeting we are running a stall at the Tobacco Factory Christmas market on December 5th to raise ever important funds. Please email us if you can spare a couple of hours to chat and sell, or let us know between mouthfuls of pudding. We will be selling cake stands and candles made from vintage crockery - if you would like to help make them, or indeed if you have an odd tea set or two that would love a new lease of life, please let us know as soon as possible.

Finally, if you have always wanted to know more about cheese, or just like it a lot, we are offering an evening of tasting in time for Christmas from Trethowens on November 4th (location is central Bristol). Email us now to reserve your place, more details at the meeting.

Phobias and meatballs

2010-09-07T07:35:00.013+01:00

We had great fun at our summer quiz, eating some truly scrummy snacks while it rained and rained outside. Our expert quizmaster Claire did us proud and while many got 10/10 on the cake round, phobias and quotations weren't so easy! Oh, and a point of business to note is that the members present agreed committee members can attend one workshop free of charge each year.

A few key dates coming up, firstly our social evening September 15 from 8pm at the Tobacco Factory. We hope to see you there, it's a chance to really get to know other members.

September 25 is the Best of Bedminster show. If you haven't already let us know you would be happy to bake and/or help serving tea and cake for an hour or two please email us. It is always great fun and a very sociable day, whilst being an essential fundraiser for us too!

Please bring your crochet hooks for our 'ways with wool' meeting on September 29. We hope to ensure everyone comes away with a finished item (if you are already an expert and would be happy to show others please do let us know). Please also bring your diaries as we have a busy few months ahead.

The Brunel Group meeting hosted by Greenbank WI is the evening of October 4th. The cost is 3.50 and we hope to arrange car shares. Who could resist members from 5 WIs having a go at belly dancing? Email us now!

Finally, our October meeting date has changed to October 20. This is our AGM (which sounds dull) but will be a pudding club (which does not). Not to be missed.

Robbie Williams....and the stick man

2010-08-23T21:00:00.010+01:00

Our talk from Nick Hand at July's meeting was certainly a memorable one. The buzz afterwards was all about feeling inspired, whether to get on a bike, make a basket, or indeed go and see a Robbie Williams' tribute band. More information on Nick, now on his way around Ireland, on www.slowcoast.co.uk

Volunteers needed!
As you know we wouldn't even exist without volunteers whether committee members, cake makers or helping out at events. We now have enough volunteers for rosette making - many thanks. We still need a few more committee members - the monthly commitment is an evening's committee meeting plus maybe a further 2 hours on average. If you would like an informal chat about whether it could be for you please email us or grab one of us at August's meeting. The lists for BoB stall helpers (25 Sep) and potential allotment contributors are also still open and will be on the board at the meeting.

25 August - a summer quiz
Working it teams, it promises to be a fun and sociable evening. Savoury snacks and cold drinks to help get our brains in gear. Of course there will be prizes, and we really hope to see many of you there. Prospective members very welcome as ever! 8pm at our usual hall, Bedminster Methodist Church, British Road.

Bollywood in Bedminster

2010-07-08T16:05:00.009+01:00

Namaste, Malago WI

Last week's Bollywood dancing evening was HOT! We learned a lot, including our left from our right, and that we won't be forming a dance troupe any time soon, but everyone had a lot of ankle-jingling fun fuelled by exotic sweets and fragrant cordials. Thanks to fabulous teacher Prerna for her patience and enthusiasm.

July meeting
On Wednesday 28 July, we will welcome Nick Hand. Nick cycled the 5000 miles of Britain's coastline clockwise, meeting and filming artisan craftspeople including a lobster pot-maker, a daisy-grower, a kilt-maker, and many other artists.

Nick will talk about his travels and show us his beautiful photographs and interviews, showcasing his journey and the people he met on the way.

* Change of venue *
July's meeting will take place in the Hollywood-esque surroundings of the Aardman cinema in their new HQ on Gas Ferry Road, near the SS Great Britain. If you're driving, the SS Great Britain car park is the place to park. Timings are the same - 8-10pm.

Other news
Flickr ::
If you'd like to add your photographs of WI-related activities, such as crafts you're working on, baking, gardening or even the cake you're making for the meeting, please email them to jointhewi@gmail.com

Best of Bedminster ::
Our favourite fundraiser takes place on Saturday 25 September and we need volunteers to help out on the day, as well as bake cakes for us to sell. Let us know if you can help.

Avon Federation AGM ::
Do you want to be our volunteer to go along to our regional federation AGM? Taking place on Tuesday 28 September in sunny Weston-super-mare, the AGM is an opportunity to see the wider picture of local WI activities. Deadline to book a place is 16 August - email us if you'd like to volunteer.

Food hygiene course ::
We intend to provide an opportunity for all members to attend a food hygiene course, date and cost TBC - again, drop us an email to put your name down.

Sainsbury's
It's crunch time for North Street. Bristol City Council planning committee meets on 21 July so please submit your comments and objections NOW. Visit the BASICS website for a list of compelling reasons why The Biggest Supermarket in the South West will spell the end of our community shops, including evidence from the independent retail strategy commissioned by the Council itself. And the Council's intention to GIVE land worth over £3.34 million to this development, at a time when they are calling for more than £50 million in cuts over the next 3 years.

Please do it now. Lecture over, as you were.

Don't forget the change of venue for July's meeting!

Pull the other one, it's got bells on
MWI x

We May never be the same again...

2010-06-15T08:34:00.004+01:00

Wow, Malago, is it just us or was Jane Brocket pretty blooming good?

Those beautiful quilts, the colours and fabrics, the enthusiasm with which she brought her subject to life... We could tell you liked it too - the oohs and aahs when she revealed each quilt made it sound like you lot were watching a firework display.

Turns out, Jane quite liked us too. If you lived in Bristol, Jane, we'd have you in a Malago minute. What an evening.

And we have another couple of exciting evenings coming up for you, the first being our Swish - the clothes and accessories swap which takes place on Friday 18 June at 8pm (taking place at the Pilates Moves studio). Tickets are £6 which includes a glass of wine and nibbles, and the event's open to members and non-members alike so bring your friends. Tickets can be reserved by emailing jointhewi@gmail.com or you can pay on the night.

For the uninitiated swishers amongst you, the idea is that you bring at least 3 good-quality items you love but no longer use (with hangers please), which entitles you to take home 3 new-to-you items for your summer wardrobe. Simple but brilliant. And you can buy extra tokens if the selection of goodies leaves you unable to choose, and don't forget to bring a bag to take it all home in). Come along, it'll be a blast. All proceeds go to making your WI bigger and better.

June meeting

It's time to get the bangles out for our re-scheduled Bollywood night! Snowed off back in January, the June meeting will give you an opportunity to learn a few moves from Mother India, and enjoy a hot cup of chai and some delicious spiced cakes and snacks.

The June meeting is on Wednesday 30 June at 8pm, Ebenezer Methodist Church hall. Please wear your finest, brightest, spangliest garb, accessorised with jingly bangles and chandeliearrings. (But do make sure you're comfortable, and don't wear heels.)

Best of Bedminster

Malago WI intends to be part of the Best of Bedminster show again this year, date to be confirmed but it'll be a September Saturday. We will be serving our famous tea and cakes, as well as cupcake-decorating. We will need volunteers to help on the day, as well as to make cakes to sell. BoB is our favourite fund-raiser, and it's a great way to let south Bristol know about us and our activities, while helping out a good cause. Email us or let us know you can help by chatting to one of the committee next time you see us.

We're off to raid our wardrobes for some extra-special Swish treats.

See you soon!

Malago WI x

Malago's green and pleasant land

2010-05-19T16:35:00.008+01:00

Well, hellooooo Malagoooo,

Last month's meeting was another addition to the Malago memory urn as we hosted our first ever Brunel Group event, welcoming Knowle, Whitchurch eve and afternoon, Greenbank and Stockwood brances to our tea and chocolate-tasting soiree. It was a roaring success - Kate from Lahloo was our star expert and we learnt and tasted like perfect students - green teas, rose teas, whites and oolong, soaked up with chocolates, basil and other. Even better - despite being new to the Penny Vote we swept the board with the most Unusual Teapot competition and that was without Odette's open legged man coming in the top three!

A big clarinet toot out to Heather Leppard who led our Jerusalem rendition - locals thought the pied piper had come to Bedminster. We certainly scored as hostesses with the most so thanks to everyone who joined the fun. This bodes so well for the fun we have lined up over the next few months...

And onto May's meeting. We can barely contain our excitement at the prospect of Jane Brocket and all her wonderfulness on Wednesday 26 May. Don't forget - we will have (very limited) tickets for sale for this meeting, so spread the word. If you're interested in reserving a ticket in advance at £3.50, email jointhewi@gmail.com, otherwise tickets are £4 on the night. And if you'd like to buy Jane's latest book, The Gentle Art of Quilt-Making, she will be signing copies - bring cash.

At the March meeting, we discussed the new Sainsbury's planning application for the Ashton Gate stadium site, and it was agreed that Malago WI would object to this application. Although we've objected as a group, we need you to object individually as well. Have a read of the basics blog, or (if you're already convinced) go straight to their 'Take action now' site for information on how to object, links to the Council planning website, and a few more good reasons why this development would not be good for our community. Please do this soon.

Coming up: on Friday 18 June, we're very pleased to stage the second Malago WI swish, in which you can bring your once-loved clothes and accessories, and swap them for something new to you. Not a meeting, this event is designed not only for fashion fun and frolics but also as a fundraising event. Taking place from 8pm at Pilates Moves, the evening will follow the format of our last swish back in August, but with bells on. This time, we will also have make-up demonstrations, food and a cheeky tipple, and the option to buy as many tokens as you want, should you spot more must-have items than you brought. And the event is open to everyone - we have 100 tickets to sell, so please help us spread the word. Tickets cost £6, so if you'd like to come bring some cash along to May's meeting (the last before the swish). Invite your friends!

June's meeting takes place on Wednesday 30 June, and is our rescheduled Bollywood night (which was snowed off back in January). More details nearer the time... Let's hope things hot up before then - not exactly an Indian summer at the moment, is it?

Namaste,

Malago WI x

Marching on...

2010-04-24T18:56:00.004+01:00

Hello ladies of Malago,

Now, wasn't self-portraiture fun? And not at all intimidating? It was great seeing so much creativity in the room, especially with the vastly different interpretations of the thumb-print ice-breaker.

If you took your work home to finish for the art trail exhibition, don't forget to bring it to the April meeting on Wednesday please. We can't wait to see what you've done. If you need re-invigorating, or just a wee bit of inspiration, the pictures from the March meeting are up on our Flickr site.

Now, onto April, which marks the first of the Brunel group meetings with which we've been involved. Brunel group consists of 6 local WI branches (of which Malago is one) and the idea is that we have the chance to meet representatives from our neighbouring Institutes and show them how we do it on our patch. 30 guests will attend our tea- and chocolate-tasting session, from the expert Master of Tea, Kate Gover of Lahloo tea.

We're pulling out all the stops for this very special occasion, so would invite you to bring along your most favourite cup and saucer to our tea ceremony. And cake-bakers extraordinaire (you know who you are...) will have beautiful crockery to display your wares upon. It will be a ritual of glorious proportions, with a raffle and everything, all topped off with an unusual teapot competition. Do you have one? Bring it along, you could win a prize.

Coming up in May, Malago WI is proud and very excited to present a talk from Jane Brocket. Jane is the creator of the Yarnstorm blog, set up in 2005 "to write about knitting but the subject matter soon expanded to include quilting, baking, gardening, colour, inspiration, books, paintings and films (in fact, all the good things in domestic life)."

Jane's first book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity, was published in 2007, with her second and third books in 2008 and 2009 (Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer is a recipe book inspired by foods from classic children's literature, and Ripping Things to Do features the best games and ideas from children's books). Jane's latest book, The Gentle Art of Quilt-making, was published last month, and it's this subject Jane will talk to us about (there will be copies of the book to buy at the meeting).

In a slight change to our usual format, we have 30 tickets to this talk for sale at a cost of £3.50 each, so if you know a non-member who would like to join us in May please buy a ticket for them at the next meeting (28 April) or email jointhewi@googlemail.com to reserve a seat. (As usual, Malago WI members will not be charged.) In the meantime, have a look at our inspiring selection of quilting links on the right (this month's picks).

And coming up in May, a foraging event in Ashton Court. April's meeting is your last chance to put your name down for this intriguing session on Saturday 8 May, 10-1pm, at a cost of just £10 per family. This event is open to non-members and looks set to be another in our increasingly successful series of extra-curricular activities.

Malago WI, consider yourselves well and truly updated. See you on Wednesday, and don't forget those name-badges so our friends from Brunel know who we are.

MWI x

Thumby and Funny

2010-03-17T10:53:00.007Z

Dear Malago Morph-makers

Wasn't February's meeting brilliant? Eternal thanks to Merlin and Aardman for showing us the tricks of the trade. We'll never view Plasticine in the same way again...

March meeting
We've had a creative couple of meetings so far this year, and the March meeting will be no exception. In the run up to the Southbank Arts Trail in May, we will devote the whole of the March meeting to making work for an exhibition that will act as our contribution to our local arts extravaganza.

Self-portrait is the theme, but do not be alarmed. Delve a little deeper. What we want to get to is a representation of you and your identity, not a pencil sketch of your face (unless that's what you really want to do). We will provide the tools, materials and the inspiration for you to make a collage, decorate a pebble or go wild with your imagination in our creative 'free zone' - we don't want to limit your creativity, but expert arty types will be on hand to help out if you get stuck.

Ice will be broken, tea will be drunk and, like the voice workshop and recent creative writing session before it, what may seem daunting to begin with will end up as an exciting journey of self-discovery. Well, that's the plan, anyway.

Materials
We will provide some goodies from our ever-expanding craft box, but if you would like to bring along an item or two that you feel represents you to incorporate into your work then go right ahead. Magazines, scissors and perhaps even a picture frame for your finished work would all be welcome additions to the proceedings.

Safe Land for Bees - volunteers and cake-makers needed
Malago WI will be providing refreshments in the form of our famous tea and cakes at this event on Sunday 11 April. Taking place at Windmill Hill Community Centre, Safe Land for Bees looks at the local issues facing our bee population and offers an opportunity to find out more from expert speakers, as well as shop for bee and honey-related products and have a jolly good time too.

We need your help. If you could contribute time or cakes please email jointhewi@gmail.com or talk to Alice at the March meeting. The event fits nicely with the national WI SOS for Honeybees campaign, and allows us to make links to activities on a local level. If not for Malago WI, do it for the bees.

The Age of Stupid
Malago WI has signed up to the 10:10 campaign, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 10% in 2010. As part of our ongoing look at environmental issues we have organised a screening of The Age of Stupid, in which Pete Postelthwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?

The screening takes place on Tuesday 13 April, 8pm, in the Tobacco Factory Green Room. Tickets will go on sale at the March meeting and cost £3.50, available to both members and non-members. Tickets are limited, so it'll be first come, first served.

Social
And finally, another opportunity to socialise with your fellow WI-ers - the next social takes place on Wednesday 17 March, 8pm in the Tobacco Factory. Come along for a drink and a chat in less formal surroundings.

As we overheard one of our members say last month, Malago WI is like playgroup for grown-ups. What could be better?

Malago WI x

Highlights from WI national HQ

2010-03-17T10:49:00.003Z

DENMAN COLLEGE OPEN DAYS

If you have never before had the chance to visit Denman College to see what it has to offer, our two, free open day events in June will provide you with a perfect snapshot. During the two days the college will be organising a range of activities and demonstrations featuring craft and cookery. Refreshments and entertainment include: live music, hog roast and cream teas. One of the highlights of the programme is a horticultural talk given by renowned garden designer Bunny Guinness, on the 29 June; tickets for Bunny’s talk are £10 per person.

Day tickets are free but must be booked in advance. When booking, please specify whether you would also like tickets to Bunny Guinness’s talk. If arranging a coach party, please give the college two months’ notice.

NEW BEE KEEPING COURSE AT DENMAN

From 1 to 4 June, Denman is offering members the chance to get hands-on with a practical course all about bee-keeping. Learn about the incredible life of the honeybee, the structure and management of a colony and the products of the hive. Practical sessions include handling bees and making beeswax products. This course is suitable for anyone who is interested in honeybees, in keeping bees themselves or in using the products of the hive. Students will learn about the bee hive and other necessary equipment, the honeybees and the organisation of a colony, and the hive products, through a mixture of theory and practical sessions. The current threat to honeybees in the UK will be explained, as will the most amazing bee phenomenon: swarming.

SHORT STORY COMPETITION - to tie in with our successful creative writing meeting,

Lady Denman Cup 2010 – ‘Every picture tells a story’
WI members are invited to write a short story based on the black and white photograph seen here. Stories must be no longer than 500 words and members may interpret the photograph as they wish.

Entries may be in English or Welsh. Only one entry per member will be accepted. The winner of the 2009 Lady Denman Cup is not eligible to enter.

Each competitor should send four copies of their entry, typed if possible, on A4 paper to their Federation Secretary. The name, federation and WI of the competitor should be typed or printed on each copy. Please note that entries will be judged in the first instance at federation level and only three entries from each federation will go forward to the national competition. Members do not need to include the photograph on their entries.

Each federation is asked to send up to three entries to the Administrative Secretary at the NFWI Unit, Denman College, Marcham, Abingdon, Oxon OX13 6NW, no later than Friday, 6 August 2010. Federations are requested to submit three copies of each entry for judging at national level. Federations are asked to publish in their newsletters a closing date for judging at federation level.

Full details of the competition, including the photograph and entry forms, are available to download from the Moodle.

FITNESS STUFF (ties in nicely with the running club that WILL get going soon)

‘Why try the WI tri?’
In order to keep stimulating sport, fitness and general well-being within the WI, the NFWI

It involves a combined effort by the whole WI: members are challenged to complete a five-mile swim, a 20-mile cycle ride and a 50-mile walk or run.

The challenge must take place between 1 April and 30 September 2010. Please note that the challenge does not need to be organised as one whole event but can be made up of lots of individual events or activities. WIs taking part in the challenge must keep a record of their achievements which must be confirmed by the WI President’s signature when the challenge is complete.

WIs must present their completed record, along with an entry form, to their federation. The WI with the highest proportion of members who have taken part in the challenge will then be submitted to the NFWI. The Elizabeth Bell Trophy will be presented at the AGM 2011 to the WI which had the highest proportion of members taking part in the challenge. Federations must submit their chosen record to the NFWI Unit no later than 19 November 2010.

To find out more about the challenge, or to download the schedule and supporting documents, please visit the Moodle or contact Helen Neal on h.neal@nfwi-unit.org.uk.

BREAD BOOK - might be of interest bearing in mind our recent workshops.

Women’s Institute Bread by Liz Herbert
The Women’s Institute Bread book is a treasure trove of delicious recipes – from the simple to the intricate, from the traditional to the original – and will be out in paperback in April. Paperback rrp £9.99 (also available in hardback).

WI books are available from bookshops and online via www.theWI.org.uk/WIbooks.

For a complete list of WI books, please send an sae to: Booklist, WI Enterprises Ltd, 104 New Kings Road, London SW6 4LY.
Federation Support Committee is launching an exciting new challenge – for WI members to complete a triathlon!

February forever

2010-02-18T19:13:00.007Z

Dear women of Malago,

It may be the shortest month, but it feels like February has gone on forever. Roll on Spring! While we wait for the daffs to come up, here's the latest from your local Women's Institute.

January's meeting

It was amazing to see so many happy faces at our January badge-making session. Welcome, first-timers, and welcome back, old-timers. We hope you enjoyed yourselves, and made some new friends. Thank you for your generous cake donations which totaled £41.60 for the Haiti earthquake relief fund.

Membership

We're nearly full, which is an amazing start to the year! If you haven't yet joined, email jointhewi@gmail.com for an application form - places are limited, so don't hang about if you like us. Membership is £29.50 - cheques made payable to Malago WI. If you want to come along and see what we're all about, you'll have to wait a little longer. Our February meeting is full, but March 31 sees us donning smocks to attempt a self-portrait or two, in advance of the Southbank Arts Trail.

February's meeting

For those of you who are paid-up members, our next meeting takes place on Wednesday 24 February when we'll be making Morphs with Aardman. Could it get any more exciting than this? Members will each receive a Morph-making kit complete with enough plasticine to construct your own model of Tony Hart's malleable friend with help from one of Aardman's top animators. There will be a prize for the best effort, as well as a raffle to raise much-needed funds.

Bread-making workshop

For those of you booked on one of the bread-making workshops with the wonderful Mark's Bread, please make sure you bring along your payment to the February meeting - £12 cash or cheque please. The photographic evidence from the first session is up now on our Flickr site - it looked a lot of fun. Very impressive.

Reclaim the Night

On Friday 26 February, representatives from Malago WI will join Bristol Feminist Network to take part in Reclaim the Night - an international campaign against sexual violence, with very obvious links to the WI No More Violence Against Women campaign. These marches empower women to stand together and reclaim our right to be out in our city at night free from the fear of violence and harassment. If you'd like to join us on the march, from 6-8pm, please email us at jointhewi@gmail.com.

That's all for now.

May your jack never flap,

Malago WI x

January

2010-01-19T19:48:00.006Z

Hello Malago WI

We hope you survived the snow and ice, and had lots of fun building snow men and women. We hear there might be more on the way...

Although it was fun, we were sad to have to cancel the Bollywood night on 6 January. However, do not despair - we will shake our things to 'Dhansak Queen', 'Korma Chameleon' and 'Paperback Raita' later on in the year when we reschedule. Perhaps we'll have an Indian Summer after all.

Membership

The big 'M'. Membership for 2010 is open, and all interested parties should have received an application form by email. If you haven't, please email jointhewi@gmail.com to request your copy. Numbers are limited, and the deadline for application is 31 January. Priority will be given to 2009 members.

Please bring completed forms and cheques for £29.50 (made payable to 'Malago WI') to next Wednesday's meeting (27 January) - if you cannot make the meeting, again email jointhewi@gmail.com ASAP to let us know.

January meeting - Badge-making, new year and WI campaign resolutions

On 27 January, we will be starting our WI year with the opportunity to get crafty and make yourself a name badge. Of course, this will be done in traditional Malago style - we will eat (cake), drink (tea) and be creative with glue guns and finery. And come along prepared to add your new year resolution to our tree for others to be inspired by and, possibly, help you to achieve.

Which brings me onto a request for:

Materials - anything you can think of can be part of your fabulous name badge, so bring along paper, pens, tape, card, ribbons, buttons and fabric

OHP - we desperately need an overhead projector. It seems they are a dying breed, so if you can help, please drop us a line.

Campaign resolutions

It's that time of the year when the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) selects our national campaign resolutions for the year ahead. 2009 members will remember that the resolution passed at the NFWI's AGM in May was SOS for honeybees.

This round of votes determines which resolution will be shortlisted, usually between 1 and 3. Then in May we will have a further opportunity to cast our votes in selecting one resolution, which will be run by NFWI. This year we have been asked to vote as individual members, whereas previously we have voted as a WI. The shortlist of resolutions is as follows:

1. The mandatory clear labelling of food with true country of origin; 2. Save our pub; 3. Reduction in impact of flooding; 4. Provision of lifelong health and welfare support for armed forces personnel and families*; 5. Dignity and respect for women in accordance with their human rights; 6. Access to the disability living allowance mobility component for children under three years of age.

*Please note that because resolution 4 does not fall entirely within WI objects, it could only be passed for debate and not a campaign i.e. it would not be possible to use WI funds or press the government or any other decision maker on the issue.

For further details on these, visit the NFWI website.

The pros and cons of each resolution will be covered in next week's meeting, and paid-up 2010 members can vote using the forms we'll provide at the meeting. Don't worry if you can't attend or would like further time to consider the resolutions - you have until 5 February to complete the form from the November/December 2009 issue of WI Life and return it to NFWI, 104 New Kings Road, London SW6 4LY, to be received no later than 5 February.

Further details about other campaigns on a national and local level will be available on the website and at future meetings, and if you are aware of other campaigns which may be of interest to the membership, or if you would be interested in a greater role in our campaign activity (whether in relation to a specific campaign close to your heart or more generally), we'd love to hear from you. Email us or come and have a chat at the meeting.
2010 programme
Our programme is set for the first part of 2010 - have a look to see what we'll be getting up to in the months to come.
And don't forget our extra-curricular activities such as socials and workshops. If you've put your name down for the bread-making workshop, we'll need the cold, hard cash (or cheques) by the end of this month - £12 for members, £15 for non-members.
Phew, that was a long one.
See you next Wednesday,
MWI x

Most Urgent News - 6 January 2010

2010-01-06T10:56:00.003Z

STOP! Don't leave the house!

stop

Regretfully tonight's meeting has been CANCELLED

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Adverse weather conditions make it dangerous to attempt journeys to and from south Bristol's Bollywood

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We much regret this unfortunate turn of events

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Please continue to email membership applications for 2010 to jointhewi@gmail.com

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See you at the next meeting on Wednesday 27 January 2010

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Keep warm

MWI x

Bollywood night is coming up...

2010-01-03T17:55:00.003Z

Greetings, Malago members

Our next meeting will be Wednesday 6 January (December's meeting bumped on a week) and will be a Bollywood extravaganza.

Chai will be on offer, as will delicately spiced cakes and sweet treats. We can't wait to get warmed up with our very own Indian winter.

Dress code:

:: Comfortable clothing, no short/tight skirts or high heels

:: Bring large scarves and bangles

:: Bindis will be provided

Namaste!

MWI x

Malago WI Committee

2010-01-03T17:46:00.023Z

All members of the committee are involved in recruitment. They also share the hosting and other responsibilities for the monthly committee meetings. The Malago committee all takes part in setting up the hall before each meeting. Committee members deliver information to the institute and organise fund-raising activities. Other tasks include finding contacts for meetings, baking, and gathering materials for meetings.

President

Marie Wilkinson

Vice President
Lottie Storey

Treasurer

Moira Broadway

Secretary

Yvonne Long

Members at large

(covering programming, membership, fundraising, artistic direction and events)

Emma Squire

Lindsay Brazington

Nancy Horlick

Alice Hendy

Angie Last

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-29T09:17:00.005Z

Merry Christmas, Malago WI!

We hope you've had a good rest so far. Wasn't the snow beautiful?

Just a couple of reminders:

The next Malago WI social takes place on Wednesday 30 December, 8pm at the Tobacco Factory. Come along, get out of the house, tell everyone what you got for Christmas. It'd be lovely to see you.
If you haven't already signed up at November's meeting, email jointhewi@gmail.com to register your interest in becoming a member for 2010. Please state clearly your name and whether you were a 2009 member or not.
There will be 2 meetings in January - 6 January is Bollywood night, and 27 January is badge-making and New Year resolutions (where we'll share skills in helping each other to achieve our goals).

Have a good break, and we hope to see you soon.

After three! Should auld acquaintance be forgot...

Malago WI x

November rain

2009-11-23T20:35:00.006Z

Malago WI,

It's raining, it's pouring, it's really very boring. Your humble correspondent is obviously in need of the creative writing expertise lined up for our November meeting: on Wednesday 25 November, Glenn Carmichael will be inspiring us to dig deep for inspiration and get scribbling, with a friendly introduction to writing creatively. Same time, same place - don't forget your quills and parchment.

If you weren't at our first birthday party, you missed a corker. Toasts were made, candles were blown out, and 'Happy Birthday' was sung (probably one too many times, if we're honest). We hope you all enjoyed it, and that you liked your present. If you weren't at the meeting, or aren't yet a member, birthday aprons will be available to buy at the meetings, along with the beautiful photographic book - the perfect record of our first year.

There was a bit of formal business to take care of at the party, which also happened to be our AGM. (The minutes are available to view on this here very site.) The headlines are that we waved adieu and un grand merci to our outgoing committee (Karen, Kirstie, Carrie, Emma, Odette, Jen and Jill) and 'allo 'allo to the new (Ruth, Moira, Lloyda, Hannah and Lizzie).

Coming up: there are still places available on the cupcake decorating workshop, on Saturday 5 December, just in time for Christmas. Sign up for your place at the November meeting.

Oh, and last but not least, congratulations to Karen and her family on their new addition - a baby girl (and possible WI president in the making?). We hope to meet her soon.

Don't forget your pen and paper, and we'll see you on Wednesday.

MWI x

Malago WI AGM 28/10/09 Minutes

2009-11-23T20:33:00.000Z

chair: Karen Bowers (KB)

minutes: Odette McBride (OM)

Register/welcome: Ruth and Emma, and Angie Last (AL) on raffle! £4 suggested donation at register / 1 pound for raffle ticket. Welcome drinks provided

Karen Bowers (KB):

Committee: KB thanks to outgoing members (Emma Squire, Jen Gills (JG), Carrie Fletcher, Jill Reekes, OM) and name those staying (AL, Lottie Storey (LS), Alice Hendy (AH). Introduced new committee members; Moira/Lizzie/Ruth and Lloyda/Hannah – stated that full introductions/roles will be at a future meeting. Call out for more committee members. Explanation of Presidency arrangements given; As no one had expressed an interest in becoming the new President, KB to take maternity leave. LS to assume role with support from AH and AL for the duration. Members gave this arrangement support by show of hands.

Documentation: KB outlined the documentation compiled as a record of the year; AH has produced a Photobook, which was passed around during the meeting and could be purchased as a momento. Website printed as record of meetings. Press cuttings compiled. Members should review and raise discrepancies as appropriate.

Financial statement – JG outlined the financial status. Currently £1600 credit, although warning issued re loss of 2/3 of subscription fee to Federation and National WI next year. Statement open to review and yet to be signed off.

Committee’s Annual report & president’s address – KB.

Birthday cards from other WI’s were read out.

Thoughts on the year; Arts Trail, high point and mid point re serving tea and cakes. Started with Best of Bedminster 2008 and reflected how far we have come since. When 7 members met Daphne Vises to 87 attending the September knitting meeting. 62 members and the likelihood of having to cap the membership. KB expressed how proud she was of the achievements that had been made. Thanks made to members and committee and her hopes that we can build on a great start. Mention of our contribution to Tesco’s pulling out of the Ashton Gate Stadium development, which highlights how powerful we can be when we act together in our community.

Offer of ‘exchange’ from Wrington WI to experience established WI (90th birthday) in rural setting.

2010 membership – KB. Likelihood of capping membership to 75. Members will be given the opportunity to rejoin at the November meeting as well as non-members. Those who cannot attend the meeting were encouraged to contact committee members to register their interest in advance.

Windmill Hill City Farm – OM talked about the importance of the farm to the local community and highlighted the financial difficulties they are facing. Identified ways that members can support the farm; use facilities, donate, become members and support the pledge scheme. Offer to register interested parties for the Pledge or provide details due to the imminent end of the scheme (31st October 2009).

Gores Marsh – AH described the event, thanked all who contributed and stated that it had raised £350 which would be spent on future meetings etc.

Future events; AL described the November meeting – Creative Writing with Glenn Carmichael. Cupcake decorating workshop available (05/1209) 16 places, costing £12.50. Traditional Bread making Workshop at the new Tobacco Factory with Mark to be confirmed. No meeting on 30th December due to Christmas period, although a social gathering at The Tobacco Factory would be held instead. 6th January would be the next meeting and involve Bollywood theme.

Daphne Vises addressed the meeting; announcing that the Avon Federation had won a national prize for largest number of new members in UK, earning a prize of £500 and came 3rd for number of new WI’s. This was Daphne’s ‘best year’. Call out for members to get involved at Federation level and encouraged us to keep recruiting. She stated that if we needed to cap numbers then interested women could be encouraged to start another WI or revive another local group that are likely to close in December. She thanked Malago WI for the regular press coverage but warned against doing a naked calendar, stating that it had been done. She advised us to get involved with the Brunel Group and ended by stating that ‘We are the best’.

PARTY! – introduced by AH including more bubbly, food, presents and games.

Raffle drawn and prizes awarded.

Birthday cakes distributed/ happy birthday sung.

Thanks given to KB for her hard work as President over the past year – Alice.

Short days, long nights... Autumn has fallen

2009-10-20T20:43:00.005+01:00

Dear Malago-ers

To everything, there is a season, and this is fast becoming a nippy one. Still, at least you now have the wherewithal to knit yourself a Winter hat. Or at least you do if you were one of the 87 (87!) women who came together to knit away the last of that Indian summer at September's meeting. Wow! We couldn't quite believe it ourselves. We weren't expecting you all, so apologies that we ran out of tables, chairs and knitting needles. Hopefully, though, we made do and you had a lovely evening. Next time we'll be ready for you... Well done to all who completed a mini-hat - they've gone to Innocent to warm up those chilly smoothies, and pictures will be up on our Flickr site soon.

Speaking of which, October marks our first birthday, so we're celebrating with a party on Wednesday 28 October. Apologies to non-members, but as we have 'official business' to attend to, it is open to paid-up 2009 members only (who should all know about the change of venue, and have a beautiful invitation to remind them). Nibbles, birthday cake and a welcome drink will be provided, bring pocket money for the cash bar afterwards (and we are asking for a suggested donation of £4 to cover part of the party cost). If you did take an invitation but now cannot come, please let us know by emailing jointhewi@gmail.com - it'll mean we can give your place to someone else.

Some of you might have seen a handful of fellow members baring, well, not much actually, in the Evening Post last week. Our support of the Berate campaign objecting to the Tesco plans at Ashton Gate reached new highs (or lows, depending on your perspective) when we posed nude-ish behind a banner - huge thanks to the brave ladies who took part, and to Alice for taking such beautiful pictures. BBC Radio Bristol interviewed Alice and Lottie on Tuesday morning, live on the Breakfast show, which generated much debate with listeners calling-in to give their views on the subject. There is still time to object (by email, post or online - until 31 October) and we have submitted our official objection as a local, interested organisation. Keep those fingers crossed...

Coming up

Malago WI are official tea-and-cake purveyors to the opening of a new playground at Gore's Marsh, Winterstoke Road, on Sunday 25 October, between 10.30-3pm. Come down, look around, have a go on the slider (or the urn! Spare pinnies available).

Sharpen your pencils for November's creative writing session, taking place on Wednesday 25 November, usual place, usual time.

And put Saturday 5 December in your diary - we've organised a Christmas cupcake-decorating workshop to get you in the festive mood. More details and an opportunity to book your place at October's party.

We're off to practice the words to 'Happy Birthday'.

Until we meet again,

MWI x

Malago WI objection submitted to Council planners

2009-10-20T19:42:00.007+01:00

Dear Mr Stone

I write on behalf of the members of Malago Women's Institute to object to the proposed superstore development at Ashton Gate stadium (application number: 09/03208/P.

Our organisation objects to the application for the following reasons:
1. The detrimental effect a superstore would have on the local area has already been identified by the assessment made by Bristol City Council planning committee (report DPDS Ref DAM/C10133). The report identified no need for the store, a likely decline in the quality of [Bedminster town] centre in the medium and longer term, leading to decline in the physical condition and attractiveness of the centre. The report also says that the store site offers poor access by walking, cycling and public transport and offers only good access by car (creating traffic, safety and environmental issues), and that any jobs created would be off set by job losses elsewhere, with no evidence of the store boosting economic and physical regeneration.

There are countless examples of areas in which new supermarkets have effectively killed off the local, independent traders – those at the centre of our community that have been so essential in maintaining and stimulating economic growth in much of south Bristol. This cannot be allowed to happen in an area held up by many as a shining example of local high street regeneration, and one with access to plenty of supermarkets already.

2. The potential impact of a superstore at Ashton Gate would have dire environmental consequences for south Bristol. Traffic and congestion would worsen, and the suggested solution of removing bus/cycle lanes on Winterstoke Road to ameliorate a suggested increase of 300 cars at peak time is short-sighted, particularly for the UK's first Cycling City. Increased traffic makes roads less safe for pedestrians, and the route alongside the park is the main route for children attending Ashton Park school. The increase in traffic would also worsen air quality (already an issue), and refrigeration units, delivery lorries and 24-hour lighting would also have an impact on all these areas.

3. The argument for the development as an 'enabling' development is not appropriate, as any suggested benefits of the stadium would create corresponding disadvantages for the local community and retail centre (as outlined above). We do not believe alternative sources of finance cannot be found. If the stadium development cannot be privately financed, it could be argued that the business model is unsound, and therefore sale of the land owned by Bristol City Council would not be in the best interest of its citizens.

4. The outline application does not give enough information with regard to the sustainability of the development. We believe the application does not adhere to Government policy in terms of reducing carbon emissions. If Bristol is set to succeed in its pledge as Green Capital, Bristol City Council must be prepared to insist on developments which support the aspirations to work towards a low carbon future.

The group would like to see a proposal for the site incorporating affordable housing, leisure or sport activities, all of which would benefit the community in significant ways. The WI has a particular interest in environmental sustainability, and Malago WI has developed an environmental policy and action plan setting out its vision for minimising its own environmental impact and exploring ways to support local, sustainable projects. A superstore at Ashton Gate goes against these aims entirely and, as such, is not supported by our organisation.

We’ll go naked to stop Tesco!

2009-10-12T14:36:00.003+01:00

Press release: 12 October 2009

Branch promises nude calendar should Tesco application be rejected

Malago Women's Institute members pledge to produce a nude calendar if the planning application for a new superstore at Ashton Gate is rejected by the Bristol City Council planning committee on 5 November.

The branch, who welcomed 87 women to their September knitting meeting, feels so strongly about the negative impact a huge supermarket would have on their local area and community that they decided to take a stand.

"We are always being asked when our nude calendar will be on sale," explains Karen Bowers, President, "but always maintained this new WI 'tradition' was not for us. However, when our members were asked to consider make their feelings known about the Ashton Gate application in such a public way, they enthusiastically agreed and the calendar suggestion was met with cheers."

The first nude WI calendar was produced by the Rylstone branch in Yorkshire, who sold 202,000 copies of their calendar in aid of Leukemia Research, and went on to be featured in the film and musical 'Calendar Girls'.

Malago WI was founded in 2008 after a group of like-minded women wanted to create a community group to include all women in the area. Much of their activity has been focused around North Street, which looks set to suffer the most damage should the superstore application get the go-ahead.

Vice president Lottie Storey says "North Street was the centre of my world when I was on maternity leave. Even if I didn't have shopping to do, I met up with friends in cafes and would always bump into someoneI knew on my way. It was a lifeline during the early months with a newborn, and meant I got out of the house. The high street is at the heart of the community, and we are so lucky to live near a thriving example - not just mums at home, but everyone."

The detrimental effect a superstore would have on North Street has already been identified by the assessment made by Bristol City Council planning committee. They identified no need for the store, a likely decline in the quality of [Bedminster town] centre in the medium and longer term, leading to decline in the physical condition and attractiveness of the centre. The report also says that the store site offers poor access by walking, cycling and public transport and offers only good access by car (creating traffic, safety and environmental issues), and that any jobs created would be off set by job losses elsewhere, with no evidence of the store boosting economic and physical regeneration.

Malago WI's views echo those of Berate campaigner, Chris Uttley, in countering the 'no Tesco, no stadium' argument. The branch believes that if Bristol City Football Club regard the new stadium as essential, they would not be relying upon something as controversial and unpredictable as a planning application for a vast new superstore - instead, private finance should be sought.

Likewise, linking the superstore application to that of the stadium is disingenuous. Branch members believe that sale of the land to Tesco in order to 'enable' the stadium development would effectively 'disable' so many aspects of a thriving neighbourhood, and this is too high a price to pay.

Malago Women’s Institute is set to celebrate its first birthday in October, and has grown from a group of 10 founding members to a membership of over 60. Made up of women of all ages, the group includes those who have lived in the area all their lives, as well as members who are new to the city.

The WI has a particular interest in environmental sustainability, and Malago WI has developed an environmental policy and action plan setting out its vision for minimising its own environmental impact and exploring ways to support local, sustainable projects.

Ends.

Notes to editors:

Image credit: Alice Hendy.

Email jointhewi@googlemail.com for high resolution images.

Malago WI’s environmental policy is available to view on the website:

http://malagowi.blogspot.com/2009/04/malago-wi-environmental-policy.html

Branches of the Women's Institute nationwide campaign on matters of local, national and international importance. Current campaigns and projects include: end violence against women, Fairtrade, supporting post offices, climate change, foodwaste, 10/10 carbon challenge.

September sisters, unite!

2009-09-17T21:48:00.004+01:00

Hello sisters

It's time to fight. We love North Street, we love Bedminster, Southville, Ashton, we love the people and the shops and the community - we love everything about what makes south Bristol a lovely place to live or to work or to spend time.

As most of you know, all of this is under threat from the Tesco application for a huge superstore at Ashton Gate. Malago WI has already voted to support Berate, the anti-Tesco campaign, and these views have been made public in the Evening Post, The Pigeon and elsewhere.

Tonight, a couple of Malago WI members went to the public meeting, where we watched this film, which made us even more sure that Tesco and the death of North Street is too high a price to pay for three weeks of football party:

We hope you agree. If you haven't already sent your objections, you must do so before the end of October. All the details on what to do and how to do it are on the Berate site.

There will also be a letter-writing table on our stall at the Best of Bedminster Show,(Malago WI is official refreshment provider, Saturday 26 September) and at our September meeting.

Talking of which, September's meeting is fast looming so dust off your knitting needles and come along on Wednesday 30 September ready to learn a new skill or to show us all how it's done. Materials will be provided if you don't have your own, as well as plenty of inspiring books, patterns and finished articles. It should be quite something to see one of the newest WI branches embrace one of the oldest domestic arts. We'll be attempting socks before we know it.

Looking ahead to October (drum roll, fanfare), and it's our first birthday! We are very, very excited. Alas because we have a smidgeon of formal business to attend to, it can be paid-up members only (if you're not yet a member, you can join in September) and there is a change of venue for one night only. Don't forget to pick up your invitation. And although we'll be providing party-style titbits, you might like to eat something beforehand. There will be a cash bar so bring your pocket money, and we're asking for a suggested donation of £4 to cover everything but your drinks.

And if that's got your social feathers a-fluttering, save the date for the next Brunel group meeting - Friday 16 October, 7.30 at St.Martins Church Hall, Knowle. The Brunel Group is a collective of 6 local WIs including us, so Malago members are most welcome. October's speaker is Paul Cook, ostrich farmer, and there will be a competition and prize for the most imaginative feather creation, plus raffle, plus refreshments. All for £3. Tickets from Malago WI at the September meeting.

See you in September!

MWI x

Tesco objection letters and a demonstration, 12 September

2009-09-08T08:48:00.004+01:00

Don't forget to send your objection to Bristol City Council NOW:

Any comments you may have about the application must be submitted in writing, giving your name and address and quoting the application number 09/03208/P

1. Online:

http://e2eweb.bristol.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KODA82DN08900
(blue ’submit comments’ bar at the top)

2. Email: development.management@bristol.gov.uk

3. Write to: City Development, Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol, BS1 5UY

Use your own words in your objection and state how it will affect you. You may also wish to include all or some of the following points:

• Already enough supermarket provision locally.
• Negative impact on smaller local shops and damage to regeneration that has already occurred.
• If ‘key’ shops (butchers, greengrocers, bakers) disappear from the high street the viability of the whole high street will be in danger.
• Significant increase in traffic and congestion in the surrounding communities. Air quality and road safety will get worse.
• Noise and light pollution from a 24-hour, 7-day store.
• Local high street is the centre of our community.
• The site is too far from local shops to bring any benefit to the area.
• Our local shops employ many people and reinvest profits locally.
• Wider environmental impact of superstore (encouraging car use, transporting goods, poor use of land)
• Better uses for the site e.g. Affordable housing, community facilities, sports facilities…
• You live close to the site but were not properly consulted (if appropriate)
• The planning decision should not be biased by the push for new stadium

Please, please do it now, and send anyone else who might also object a link to this post. This is our ONLY opportunity to object and we must do it now in huge numbers.

Demonstration

Members of Malago WI will be joining the demonstration on Saturday 12 September 2009. Berate are holding a public Juggernaut event on 12th September on North Street and Ashton Road. The walk will start at North Street Green at 10.30am and shall walk the length of North Street leading then to the entrance of BCFC on Ashton Road. Tesno banners will be available, or bring your own to join in and support (we will make a Malago WI one). We hope you can come and show your support for the campaign.

Malago WI

Dog days and holidays

2009-08-13T17:36:00.008+01:00

Ahoy there!

We're cranking up the gramophone in preparation for August's meeting, where we will swish, swap, shimmy and sup to our hearts' content. Yes, time to sort out your bits and bobs for our first Swish (clothes swap), and bring along the things you no longer love but seem too good to charity shop or chuck away. Bring clean clothes, accessories and home wares (but no furniture or large items please, shoes must be unworn). Bring up to five items each and you can adopt five new-to-you delights - what could be finer?

We'll be asking for the history of your items too - it makes for interesting tales over tea - so have a think, tell us about your treasure, take a label and write about the item. Where did you get it? Why did you choose it? Why are you no longer in love with it? Tie the label onto the hanger (please bring a hanger per item).

We can't wait.

Ways with wool

September's meeting is a crafty one. Many of you said when you joined that you'd like to learn to knit, crochet or felt, and we are nothing if not obedient. There will be activities for all regardless of experience - from total beginners to craft heavyweights. (Actually, if you fit the latter, perhaps you'd consider helping to guide members along the way? We are especially looking for someone to assist our felting teacher to assist a small group of members, as well as those with knitting and crochet experience. Talk to us in August, or email jointhewi@googlemail.com). And if you have knitting needles, crochet hooks, felt, yarn or even a project you'd like to display at the meeting, bring 'em along.

Museum of Bristol

We've been approached by a researcher for the Museum of Bristol (the new museum due to open on the site of the old Industrial Museum) who is investigating experiences of being part of a cultural, faith or interest group. And what do you know? He thinks the Women's Institute, and in particular Malago WI, would be an excellent example of such a group (naturellement). So he'd like to meet us, with a view to making one member the subject of a story to be included in the museum. Anyone interested? Email jointhewi@googlemail.com if you fancy making an exhibition of yourself.

Our birthday

As many of you know, Malago WI will celebrate its first birthday in October. Doesn't time fly? We are planning exciting surprises for the meeting on Wednesday 29 October, but as the party is also our AGM it's a ticketed, members-only event. But fret not, if you aren't yet a member you can benefit from our bargain 15-months-for-the-price-of-12 offer! See Jen at the next meeting for more information and to join. Members - we'll tell you more when we see you. In the meantime, we know you want to find out more about the available roles on the committee, so visit our new, updated committee section to see what takes your fancy. October will be the month for deciding who'll do what in 2010 - don't miss out.

Oh, and our Facebook group is looking a little lost without you - come and join us over there, it's awfully good fun. And don't forget to send back your questionnaire before the next meeting on Wednesday 26 August.

Swish you were here!

Malago WI x

Meet the committee

2009-08-13T17:11:00.039+01:00

It's time for a cabinet re-shuffle, so if you're interested in getting more involved in Malago WI have a read about the committee and their roles.

All members of the committee are involved in recruitment. They also share the hosting and other responsibilities for the monthly committee meetings. The Malago committee all takes part in setting up the hall before each meeting. Committee members deliver information to the institute and organise fund raising activities. Other tasks include finding contacts for meetings, baking, and gathering materials for meetings.

President
Karen Bowers

Karen chairs the committee and member meetings. She oversees planning of all meetings and communicates with the local WI branches, and with the regional federation (so quite a bit of talking)! Banging the ceremonial rolling pin is also required.

Vice President

Lottie Storey

Lottie creates our newsletter and our website, sending regular updates to members. Other duties as vice president include chairing meetings and deputising in the absence of our President. Lottie helps with the programme, contributes to fundraising projects and events, such as Best of Bedminster and the Southbank Art Trail.

Treasurer

Jen Gill

Jen does the number stuff. This includes financial reporting and budgeting, and she reports on fundraising. She has links with regional & national branches and has a keen interest in WI campaigning.

Secretary

Kirstie Wright

Kirstie deals with regional and national business, reporting and bookings. She files the minutes, offers fundraising support and advice on applications, and helps manage the WI database with Jen.

New members/visitors

Emma Squire

Emma welcomes new members and guests.  She organises the register, maintains the membership database and is the smiley face that greets you on arrival.

Creative Director

Alice Hendy

Alice is responsible for the flowers and styling for our meetings and stalls, and sources materials for events. Alice is our official photographer, responsible for our Flickr page, as well as the design and visual identity of communications, the noticeboard and events. She also manages our official email inbox and helps provide images and information for the website.

Tea Hostess
Carrie Fletcher

Carrie leads on refreshments at meetings, co-ordinating the rota for tea-making, washing up, and cake-making. Carrie relies on members to help run the kitchen and pour the tea. Her role takes her away from the meeting at times to disappear into the kitchen and attend to the urn.

Programming Officer

Angie Last

Angie leads the programming of meetings as well as social events and workshops. Angie confirms the attendance of our speakers and arranges the fee. She hosts our speakers, ensuring they have all they need for a successful meeting.

Campaigns Officer

Odette McBride

Odette keeps up to date with national WI campaigns and also works on the campaigns we choose to do locally, leading meetings that require a member vote.

Press Officer
Jill Reakes

Jill prepares and issues our press releases. She is the first contact for press enquiries and leads on the filing of press coverage received. She keeps an eye on regional and national press & stories.

Press release: MALAGO WI BACKS BERATE

2009-08-10T11:59:00.002+01:00

MALAGO WI BACKS BERATE

Malago Women’s Institute say no to Tesco.

Members of Malago WI last week voted overwhelmingly to support BERATE, the campaign opposing plans to build a Tesco superstore at Ashton Gate.

Malago WI vice-president, Lottie Storey, said:

“Malago WI, a group for all women of south Bristol, has huge concerns about the impact a superstore of this size will have on our community.

“There are countless examples of areas in which new supermarkets have effectively killed off the local, independent traders – those at the centre of our community that have been so essential in maintaining and stimulating economic growth in much of south Bristol.

“This cannot be allowed to happen in an area held up by many as a shining example of local high street regeneration, and one with plenty of supermarkets already.”

The potential impact of a superstore at Ashton Gate would have dire environmental consequences for south Bristol, increasing traffic and congestion in the surrounding communities, making the roads less safe for pedestrians, as well as worsening air quality.

The group would like to see a proposal for the site incorporating affordable housing, leisure or sport activities, all of which would benefit the community in significant ways.

Malago Women’s Institute is set to celebrate its first birthday in October, and has grown from a group of 10 founding members to a membership of over 50. Made up of women of all ages, the group includes those who have lived in the area all their lives, as well as members who are new to the city.

For the second year running, Malago WI will be providing refreshments for the Best of Bedminster Show, the local urban village fair taking place on North Street Green on Saturday 26 September 2009 (organised by Climate Action Bedminster).

Ends.

Notes to editors:

Malago Women’s Institute meets the last Wednesday of every month at 8pm,

Bedminster Methodist Church, British Road, Bristol BS3 3BW. All women welcome. Annual membership of the WI costs £29.

For more information, email jointhewi@googlemail.com or visit:

http://www.malagowi.co.uk

Malago WI’s environmental policy is available to view on the website:

http://malagowi.blogspot.com/2009/04/malago-wi-environmental-policy.html

Berate – Bedminster Residents Against Tesco’s Expansion into Ashton Gate - is the campaign group pulling together local opposition to the proposed superstore development at Ashton Gate. For more information visit: http://berate.co.uk/

The Best of Bedminster Show takes place on 26th September 2009, 10.30am - 3.30pm on North Street Green. For more information, visit: http://www.northstreetgreen.com/best-of-bedminster-2009

For more information on Climate Action Bedminster, organisers of the Best of Bedminster Show, visit: http://www.ecojam.org/directory/listing/climate-action-bedminster-1

Malago WI news - July

2009-07-19T12:58:00.016+01:00

Hello petals...

The June meeting of the Malago Women's Institute saw us going back to our roots and embracing all that is good and great about that traditional WI pastime - flower arranging. But you know us well enough by now to realise we do things a little differently south of the river... instead of stuffy church-style chrysanthemum displays, we learnt how to make the most of what's in the shops combined with plants from our own gardens and, ahem, environs. Move over Constance Spry, Malago WI put together some exquisite and unusual arrangements in the most unlikely vessels including jam jars, jugs and milk bottles. Nothing was impossible with the help of Bristol florist, lovely Clare from Les Fleurs - thank you, Clare!

(If you want to combine your love of flowers with the equally esteemed art of cake-baking, here are a few ideas:
:: A list outlining which flowers can be eaten
:: A book or two
:: Recipes for cooking with roses, nasturtiums, and, my personal favourite, violets)

So, we've tended to your horticultural and nutritional needs, now onto the physical. July's meeting is guaranteed to get your stomach muscles twitching with a spot of Pilates. Developed in the early 20th century, Pilates teaches awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aims to strengthen the deep torso muscles. Wear comfortable, loose clothing, and bring a mat or towel to lie on.

We'll also be hearing from Barbara, our local link to what's happening in the WI nationally, about the recent AGM and the resolution that was passed by an overwhelming majority - SOS for Honey Bees. And on a more local level, we'll hear from one of the campaigners involved in Berate, Bedminster Residents Against Tesco's Expansion into Ashton Gate.

Coming up: Hold your breath - August's meeting is a carefully guarded secret for the moment, but looking ahead to September and it's Ways with Wool, as well as the ever-popular Best of Bedminster Show on Saturday 26 September (for which Malago WI is official tea and cake provider). The BoB show is a great way for Malago WI to spread the word and pick up new recruits, and for members to enter lots of lovely village green-style contests - for entry forms visit the BoB website, or raid the noticeboard (also for blank posters for kids to design and display).

And October sees our first birthday party, hooray! There will be a change of venue to allow for us to raise a glass to a remarkable year - details tbc... And October's party is also the time and the place to establish who will make up the committee in 2010. If you think you might be up to the job, have a chat to current committee members over the next couple of meetings, and/or browse the noticeboard for more about who does what. Roles vary, but the committee commitment isn't huge - one evening a month for a committee meeting plus some additional bits and pieces depending on the role. Have a think, we'd love to have you.

Oh, and we're moving with the times - for all the latest news as and when it breaks, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Don't forget our first social evening - Wednesday 22 July, 8pm, Tobacco Factory - and our July meeting, Wednesday 29 July.
So long...
MWI x

STOP PRESS!

2009-07-01T21:27:00.005+01:00

Malago WI were featured in the Bristol Evening Post on Thursday 2 July.

If you missed it, catch up with the online article

Extra, extra...

May's meeting and June information

2009-06-18T19:09:00.003+01:00

Bonjour Malago WI!

May's meeting was one of the most important yet, with national campaign votes cast for the SOS for Honey Bees resolution. Before this serious business took place, Daphne gave us a potted history of WI campaigns, and then we heard from local beekeeper and something of an expert (being ex president of the British Beekeepers’ Association), Dr Ivor Davis. Many thanks to Ivor, who talked us through the basics around why bees need saving. We were convinced: Malago WI unanimously voted in favour of the resolution 23/0. Our vote was cast on our behalf by our 'link member' President of Knowle WI, Barbara McInerney. The resolution was debated and passed with an overwhelming majority of 99.4% at the AGM:
"SOS for Honey Bees – honey bees play a vital role in the pollination of food crops and in our environment. In view of concerns about the accelerating decline in the UK honey bee population, this meeting urges HM Government to increase funding for research into bee health."

For more information on the campaign and how to get involved go to:
http://www.thewi.org.uk/standard.aspx?id=15584

We also spent time discussing the issues close to our hearts with a view to drawing up a list of possible future MWI campaigns. View long-list here:
http://malagowi.blogspot.com/2009/06/campaign-ideas-from-mays-meeting.html

And onto June's meeting, a WI classic done in a new Malago WI way - flower arranging. Clare from Les Fleurs florists - http://www.lesfleurs.org.uk - will be showing us the ropes, with a workshop designed to give everyone the confidence to tie a bouquet and produce a show-stopping arrangment using containers from around the house, and foliage from around the garden. This is where you lot come in - Don't forget to bring vases, gravy boats and jam jars for your arrangements, as well as any flowers, greenery, leaves or anything else from the garden to add to your finished article (we will provide flowers but there may not be many to go round. We'll learn the tricks of how to make a few flowers go a long way...).

Also new for this month, we've introduced three new ways for meetings to run to time and for us all to get to know each other better:
1. a noticeboard, for the latest information about upcoming meetings, fundraising, social events, and those all important tea and cake rotas;
2. a recommendations file, to allow members to share information about great traders, local shops or fantastic deals that we can all benefit from;
and... drum roll...
3. a social evening! It's been a long time coming. Join your fellow Malago WI members on Wednesday 22 July, 8pm, in the main bar of the Tobacco Factory.

Chocolate workshop
On Saturday 18 July, some of us will be at a hand-made chocolate workshop. Join us for the bargain price of £20 – give your name and a cheques to Jen at the June meeting. All others who have put their name down need to pay at the meeting – also to Jen.

See you with your secateurs on Wednesday 24 June, same time, same place.

Constance Spry, eat your heart out.
MWI x

Campaign ideas from May's meeting

2009-06-18T19:02:00.002+01:00

At the May meeting, we heard about the national campaign, SOS for honey bees. And we also invited members to suggest issues they feel strongly about and would like Malago WI to consider putting forward as a campaign in the future, on a local or national level.

Here is a list of those ideas:
:: Women on the breadline/ single mums; provide opportunities to join WI through assistance with membership costs, taking WI to them, help with skills needs such as literacy/ basic skills.
:: Women who self-harm; raise profile/ understanding/ support.
:: Elderly in our community; befriending
:: Pink toys - gender specific toys/ products for children
:: Plastic recycling and use reduction
:: Supermarkets taking over - support independents
:: Hospital care - feeding issues
:: Food - body image/ media/ education in schools
:: Food - wastage/ cost
:: Education - sex and relationships/ domestic violence
:: Schools - overtesting, learning to pass exams, no love for learning, too target driven
:: Schools - fear in Bristol of Secondary Schools
:: More space for growing food locally
:: Creating sustainable communities
:: Public transport - service and cost, oil alternatives
:: Traffic on North Street - more crossings, encourage people not car focus
:: Parking at Tesco (North Street) on double yelow lines
:: Dog mess and mess on pavements
:: Encourage more people to get wormeries
:: Bike theft
:: Vandalism
:: Rubbish - litter and fly-tipping
:: Buddy scheme - elderly
:: Diversity in WI; encourage/ research
:: Street Parties
:: Encourage women to cycle/ link with Sustrans
:: Support Bristol South swimming pool

May newsletter

2009-05-25T19:54:00.005+01:00

Malago May Queens, how do you do?

So much to report... April's credit crunch offer of two-speakers-for-the-price-of-one went down a treat with you bargain hunters. Kath Kelly and Dave Hamilton provided us with tips galore for spring cleaning, eco cleaning, eco living and frugal living at the last meeting. No excuse now, ladies!

And our offerings, both cultural and edible, were enjoyed by all at the Southbank Art Trail. We estimate that around 400 eager art-trailers experienced our south Bristol version of the Learning To Love You More assignments, and Marmalade Cafe raised over £300 to add to our coffers! Paddington Bear would be proud. Well done and thank you to all involved - it's made a huge difference to the bank balance, and will enable Malago WI to continue this year's activities in the manner to which we are accustomed, and go forth into 2010 with gusto. Hurrah.

And if you weren't there you can re-live the experience with the beautiful photographs on our Flickr site.

A big thank you to sponsors-in-kind and providers of wonderful tea, coffee and herbals, Clipper and Pukka. You are too kind.

May's meeting

Taking place on Wednesday 27 May, the next meeting focuses on the history of WI campaigning from our Avon Federation guru, Daphne Vise, and a discussion around the motion for the next campaign - SAVE THE HONEY BEES - with a talk from local beekeeper, Ivor Davis, who may also bring local honey for you to buy (if it's not all sold out by now). And all the cakes will be honey-sweet...

Anyone need a lift in my beautiful pea green boat?

MWI x

Spring is in the air...

2009-04-24T13:15:00.006+01:00

Malago Mondrians, Monets and Matisses!

The Southbank Art Trail is nearly upon us, and we are beavering away at our Learning To Love You More assignments, which will be displayed at 84 Greville Road on 9 and 10 May, alongside the Marmalade Cafe.

MALAGO WI NEEDS YOU!

Without donations - of artwork or cakes or time or all three - from Malago WI members, we won't have a show. So please help us, it's a fine cause as you all know, and we have high hopes it will prove to be a successful fundraising and awareness-raising exercise which all goes to making MWI bigger and better.

Alice has done battle with Adobe Illustrator and come out victorious, with two beautiful posters for you to download for your window here in pink or here in grey

Marmalade Cafe

We know there are some very adept cake-makers out there as we've experienced at our meetings so far. Please, if you can spare the time and ingredients to make something, anything, large or small, for us to sell in the cafe we'd really appreciate it.

Or, if your skills lie in tea-making or waitressing, we need you too! If you can spare time (between 11-5, even an hour will do) or cake or creativity, let us know by emailing jointhewi@gmail.com or talk to Lottie at Wednesday's meeting.

Learning To Love You More

The assignments may appear a little daunting to the uninitiated, but fear not - they are designed to be completed by everyone, regardless of artistic experience. Here, we have picked out a couple of examples that we think we might attempt, and we hope might tickle your fancy too:

14. Write your life story in less than a day

27. Take a picture of the sun

35. Ask your family to describe what you do

39. Take a picture of your parents kissing

50. Take a flash photo under your bed

55. Photograph a significant outfit

63. Make an encouraging banner

If you're stuck indoors with nothing to do, have a pop at one of the above. And don't forget to bring it along to Wednesday's meeting!

Talking of which, Wednesday's double-header features urban self sufficiency from one half of Bristol's own Good Life duo, Dave Hamilton, and a talk from Kath Kelly, best-selling author of ‘How I Lived a Year on Just a Pound a Day’. See you on Wednesday 29 April at 8pm.

And if you haven't already seen it on the website, we've drafted an environmental policy to set out Malago WI's aspirations in terms of minimising our impact on the environment. Take a look here, and leave a comment if you feel inclined.

Coming up

May’s meeting is all about campaigning. Learn about the WI’s impressive history in campaigning (Keep Britain Tidy being one of the most famous) and how we can get involved both locally and nationally. Is there something that you would like to change, perhaps we can channel our collective voice and energy into doing something about it? This year’s national resolution is ‘SOS for honey bees’ which, if passed, aims to address the declining honey bee population. Find out more about it, listen to our speaker Ivor Davis, a master beekeeper and ex president of the British Beekeepers’ Association and cast your vote.

A bientot

Malago WI x

Malago WI March and April

2009-04-09T18:01:00.005+01:00

Malago red roses, you sing like birds!

Your humble correspondent was off sick, but our president, Karen Bowers, sent this report:

March's meeting was a real gem. Everyone seemed to talk to someone new, everyone had a laugh. Selina of Intercre8 led us in a fantastic ice breaker that had us running madly across the room like children playing musical chairs at a party. Then we started to find our voices, and then we sang. We sounded great! I think we were all stunned. Working in groups meant we mixed and mingled, and then pairs exercises on tongue twister certainly removed any last remains of embarrassment or keeping up appearances. Even finishing off the evening, with the usual announcements, felt different and felt like we were all in it together.

Sounds like I missed a good one. But, to bring me back from the brink of despair, April's meeting is set to be a corker too. Phew. With this dreary credit crunch showing no signs of abating, we need all the fun we can get. And penny-saving tips to boot! Which is just as well, as we have urban self sufficiency from one half of Bristol's own Good Life duo, Dave Hamilton, and a talk from Kath Kelly, best-selling author of ‘How I Lived a Year on Just a Pound a Day’. Put Wednesday 29 April in your diary.

And talking of environmental issues, Malago WI now has its very own environmental policy, detailing how we plan to minimise the impact our activities has on resources and do as much as we can to help save the planet. Have a look here:

http://malagowi.blogspot.com/2009/04/malago-wi-environmental-policy.html

Feel free to comment - we want your ideas on how to make Malago WI an exemplar group.

There's still time to don your smock and beret for the Art Trail. Whether you'd like to make work for the art exhibition, a cake/biscuits/treats for the cafe, or volunteer your services to help out over the weekend, just drop us a line at the usual address, jointhewi@googlemail.com. The more the merrier.

Malago W.I Go Pro on Flickr!

Until recently we have only had a lowly guest account on the photo-sharing site, Flickr. We are now very pleased to announce that we have upgraded to a Pro account. This means we can upload many more photos and document different aspects of our institute online. Perhaps you’ve tried out a new recipe and photographed the results or maybe you’ve knitted, gardened or campaigned. If you have an image you think might be at home on our Flickr page please send it to Alice at alicehendy at me.com

Pip pip,

MWI x

Malago WI Environmental Policy

2009-04-09T15:57:00.004+01:00

Malago Women’s Institute Environmental Policy
Members of the committee have worked on developing this draft Environmental Policy, and welcome comments from members, either by leaving comments on the website or by email

Statement of Intent
Malago Women’s Institute recognises that our operations have an impact in the local and global environment.

This document sets out our intent to minimise this impact and lists a number of measures to be implemented in order to do so.

This policy is implemented from committee level. This document should be issued to all members to make them aware of their own personal responsibilities.

The process of implementing environmental improvements will be done in consultation with members, who will be invited to suggest ways we can minimise our environmental impact. This will ensure that all considerations are taken into account and that understanding and co-operation is optimised.

This document signals Malago WI’s intent to:
1. develop a sense of responsibility for the environment amongst all members.
2. set targets to improve the use of energy and raw materials and reduce the group’s environmental impact. Regularly review and report on progress each year.
3. work towards becoming a Carbon Neutral Organisation.
4. reduce wastage to a minimum and to recycle materials to the maximum. recognise that wasting energy causes avoidable pollution so endeavour to keep energy use to a practical minimum.
5. avoid/reduce pollution of air, land and water wherever possible.
6. promote sustainability in all its forms through our programme and fundraising efforts.
encourage members to use sustainable means of transport when travelling to and from meetings and events.
7. consider this environmental policy in future decision making processes.
8. celebrate and publicise Malago WI’s environmental successes to members and the wider community to be a role model of environmental performance for the community.

Malago WI Environmental Policy
Malago WI has made and continues to make a concerted effort to improve its environmental performance. The objectives of this process are to:

minimise the environmental impact that Malago WI has on the local and global environment,

minimise waste of money and resources, and

set a good example of environmental performance to members

All members are encouraged to adhere to the procedures set out in this policy and to help Malago WI optimise its environmental performance in every possible way. Notes are included below in order to help members to do this.

Energy
Malago WI has a switch off policy for all lights and all electrical appliances, to encourage all members to take greater attention to minimise waste by turning off lights, electrical appliances and radiators when not needed.

Members are encouraged to ensure that lights are neither switched on when they are not needed or left on longer than they are needed. Members are also requested to encourage other members to do the same.

Electrical appliances should be switched off overnight and when not in use

All committee members should consider energy efficiency when purchasing all new equipment and to make regular PATs (portable appliance tests) on appliances.

Waste reduction and recycling
The following procedures for re-cycling and re-using waste should be followed as far as possible.

1. Reduction and Re-use
Envelopes should be opened carefully and reused as far as possible.
Paper printed on one side only should be re-used for printing draft copies.
Used paper should also be used for note pads and scraps of paper for messages etc.

2. Recycling
Paper, glass bottles, cans and cardboard should be collected outside the kitchen area and taken home by committee members for weekly black bin recycling.
Bubble wrap packaging will be reused.
All other items will be recycled through the Bristol Freecycle website group

3. Water conservation and pollution measures
Members should remember to conserve water where possible and ensure that taps are turned off after use.
Care should be taken to minimise the chemicals entering the drains. Non toxic cleaning products will be used whenever possible

Transport
Members are encouraged to consider walking, cycling, public transport or lift sharing to Malago WI activities, as far as possible.

General/ Purchasing
Our bank account is with ethical bank smile.

Any direct purchasing of food and drink should be GM-free, and members on the cake rota should be encouraged to use the following ingredients:
GM-free
Locally-sourced
Fairtrade
Organic
Unrefined wheat and sugar products, as far as possible

Malago WI should buy and use cleaning products which are not environmentally damaging (such as Ecover brand).
All paper and envelopes are made from recycled paper

Demonstrating achievements to members and the wider community
Malago WI will take the following steps to communicate with members and the wider community:

Information sent to speakers when they are booked will include statements outlining Malago WI’s environmental policy and requesting members to assist our efforts to optimise environmental performance.

The environmental policy statement of intent will be on display on the reading table and available on the website, a full copy of the document can be viewed on request

The education and activities programme will promote environmental sustainability wherever possible.

Malago WI’s commitment to environmental sustainability shall be clearly stated in marketing material.

March Malago Meeting

2009-03-23T09:36:00.009Z

Ladies, all the ladies!
Clear your throats, please, in preparation for the March meeting of Malago WI!

Wednesday 25 March will have us projecting, booming, and commanding, as we take part in a voice workshop. Selina Keedwell, director of interCre8 (creatively learning through
drama), is a drama artist, performer and facilitator, specialising in teaching physical theatre and drama to students of all ages and abilities. Selina has performed in, devised, facilitated and managed creative projects in diverse settings, from taxi drivers in Indonesia and doctors in Torbay, to dancers in New York and young mothers in Devon. She firmly believes that learning through drama can have huge benefits for all, helping to gain confidence, develop positive self awareness, and the ability to work with others co-operatively by exploring and accepting ourselves as individuals.

The workshop allows us to explore our voices while discovering new ways of communicating confidently with an audience, at work or play. Using breathing, relaxation, diction, projection, rhythm & pace, use of pause, body language and delivery, we will develop a better understanding of ourselves as communicators, and of our voice as a useful tool. The voice workshop is a fun way of working together to explore our abilities in a supportive and creative way, and is designed for all levels - no experience required. We hope you enjoy it.

You may have noticed that www.malagowi.co.uk has had temporary makeover, in celebration of the forthcoming MWI exhibition as part of the Southbank Art Trail (9 and 10 May 2009). There will be a sign-up sheet at Wednesday's meeting - we'd like as many members as possible to take on an assignment (despite the onerous-sounding name, assignments are really very easy and straightforward, we promise!). The nature of the Learning To Love You More project means it's open to all - whether you consider yourself an artist or not (yet). It's an art project of a most democratic nature. And it's a whole lot of fun.

Don't forget: if this will be your third meeting and you're not yet a member, then it's time to cough up. Membership is £29 for the year - see Jen, our treasurer, at the meeting.

April Meeting
Malago WI hopes to provide a few tips and ideas for beating the credit crunch at our April meeting, with interesting information provided by not one, but two speakers. Kath Kelly author of 'How I Lived on Just One Pound a Day' will be talking about how she survived her self-imposed penury by revealing where to look for cheap clothing, food and toiletries, along with offering novel ideas for socialising and gift-giving.

We are also joined by Dave Hamilton, co-founder of www.selfsufficientish.com and author of 'The Urban Guide to Self Sufficiency'. Dave is an expert in all things organic and will demonstrating how to make environmentally friendly cleaning products at home as well as supplying us with tips on how to garden, totally organically and on a budget. He also has a wealth of knowledge on the type of vegetables that can be grown in space-strapped gardens.

Ooh, it's all shaping up nicely.

Until Wednesday, adieu,
MWI

A Spring update

2009-03-04T10:18:00.012Z

February's meeting was fantastic. With more members than ever coming through the doors, there was a real sense that our humble group is becoming properly established.

Steve Humphries from Testimony Films spoke to us with passion and conviction about his 25 year career in oral history documentary-making. We were treated to clips of his world-changing programmes, with women speaking candidly about their experiences of orgasms, sex before marriage, and unconsummated marriages in the twentieth century. Without Steve and his team, much of this wonderful material would have been lost in the mists of time. We're very glad Testimony exists.

Alice and Lottie spoke about the Southbank Art Trail project, for which Malago WI members will make assignments from the Learning To Love You More project. If art's not your thing, we're also looking for donations of cake and a few hours over the weekend, to help run the fundraising cafe. Email jointhewi@gmail.com for more information, and we'll have a sign-up sheet at the March meeting too.

Talking of which, the programme for March will be a voice workshop, presented by Selina Keedwell of interCre8. The workshop is about having fun exploring our voices whilst discovering new ways of communicating confidently with an audience, at work or play. By exploring breathing, relaxation, diction, projection, rhythm and pace, use of pause, body language and delivery, we will develop a better understanding of ourselves as communicators, and of our voice as a useful tool. We're sure the voice workshop will be a fun way of working together to explore our abilities in a supportive and creative way.

See you in March,
MWI

February meeting

2009-02-20T21:11:00.008Z

Roll up, roll up, ladies of south Bristol, it's that time of the month again. The fourth Malago Women's Institute meeting will take place on Wednesday 25 February at 8pm.

Much anticipated, this month's speaker is Steve Humphries of Testimony Films. Postponed from last month, Steve is the king of oral history and his talk celebrates women's experiences of love, sex and relationships from the last century. Illustrated with video clips, Steve has selected the best from his vast archives for what will be a fascinating and insightful meeting - not to be missed.

And the rest of our programme is shaping up nicely too... There's now a link on the right which should take you straight to details of all meetings, both archive and forthcoming. Some is yet to be confirmed, and contributions or suggestions would be most welcome. We hope you feel that we've listened to what our members want - it's your WI so let us know.

Also coming up is the Bristol Women's Show for which we need 4 volunteers to help spread the WI word. The Show celebrates all things female, including fashion, fitness, careers advice, health, finances, safety and more. Speak to Jen at the meeting if you can spare a couple of hours on Sunday 29 March between 10am and 4pm, or email jointhewi@gmail.com with your name, contact details and availability. Entry is £5, volunteers get free entry.

Likewise, WI groups across the land will be sending representatives to the Million Women Rise march to end male violence against women. Women's right to live free from violence has not been achieved, and women continue to be attacked and violated in many different ways. The march aims to show our mass dissatisfaction and campaign for change for all women and children. The 2008 march went down in history as the largest demonstration of women in UK - this year's march is set to be bigger and better. This thoroughly worthwhile event takes place on Saturday 7 March in London, beginning at midday. If you'd like to attend, Jen's your woman - same details as above. If we get enough interest, we'll try to organise discounted train fares.

On a lighter note, May heralds blossom, asparagus, and the Southbank Art Trail. This year, we'd love to have an exhibition of work made by Malago WI (as well as a cafe), not only to show our artistic side, but also to spread the word, raise crucial funds, and recruit new members. Based around the Learning To Love You More assignments, the exhibition is open to anyone from MWI - Alice will explain more on Wednesday, but here are a few examples to keep you guessing.

Many of you will have seen Malago WI in the local press and on the local news. Exciting times indeed. We'd like to thank you for making MWI what it is today, and for sharing our vision for a supportive, educational and fun meeting place in this great community of south Bristol.

Here's to more of the same.

Over and out,

MWI

Malago WI programme

2009-02-20T14:27:00.062Z

Upcoming programme and meeting dates 2012

:: Wednesday 25 January
Happiness
:: Wednesday 29 February
Paper flowers and fabric birds
:: Wednesday 28 March
Campaigns TBC
:: Wednesday 25 April
Fascinator making
:: Wednesday 30 May
Window boxes
:: Wednesday 27 June
Health TBC
:: Wednesday 25 July
TBC
:: Wednesday 29 August
Make do and mend
:: Wednesday 26 September
Seasonal produce
:: Wednesday 31 October
Birthday party and quiz
:: Wednesday 28 November
Ways with wool: Felt

Archive programme information

2011

:: Wednesday 30 November

Ways with wool: Pompoms

:: Wednesday 26 October

Malago WI 3rd Birthday party - swish and sweets

:: Wednesday 28 September

Salsa

:: Wednesday 31 August

Sleep!

:: Wednesday 27 July

Malago WI village fete - jam, vegetables, bunting, cakes

:: Wednesday 29 June

Mystery meeting

:: Wednesday 25 May

All-female DIY with Jo Behari, Home Jane

:: Wednesday 27 April

Learn to Speak with Selina Keedwell, Intercre8, WI resolutions vote

:: Wednesday 30 March

Aromatherapy - mixing our own home and beauty products with Ali Cook, Pure Bliss Aromatherapy

:: Wednesday 23 February

Bag-making and book/present swap

:: Wednesday 26 January

Story-telling

2010

:: 24 November 2010

Present-wrapping and wreath-making

:: 27 October 2010

Pudding club - our second birthday party

:: 29 September 2010

Ways with wool - crochet and felts

:: 25 September 2010

Best of Bedminster show (fundraising event)

:: 15 September 2010

Social event

:: 25 August 2010

Quiz night

:: 28 July 2010

Nick Hand talks about his travels around the UK meeting artisan craftspeople

:: 30 June 2010

Bollywood night (rescheduled from January 2010)

:: 26 May 2010

Jane Brocket

:: 28 April 2010

Tea- and chocolate-tasting with Lahloo teas (Brunel group meeting)

:: 31 March 2010

Self-portraiture

:: 24 February 2010

Morph-making with Aardman

:: 27 January 2010

Badge-making and new year resolutions

2009

:: 25 November 2009

Creative writing

:: 28 October 2009

Malago WI First Birthday party (change of venue: Southville Centre)

:: 30 September 2009

Ways with Wool

:: Best of Bedminster show, Saturday 26 September 2009

:: 26 August 2009

Swishing!

:: 29 July 2009

Pilates with Anna Christy, and Chris Uttley from BERATE

:: 24 June 2009

Flower-arranging, Claire from Les Fleurs

:: 27 May 2009

Save the Honey Bees campaign vote and history of WI campaigning talk

:: 29 April 2009 Spring clean your life:

Kath Kelly (author of How I Lived a Year on Just a Pound a Day) and Dave Hamilton (of www.selfsufficientish.com, the urban guide to almost self-sufficiency)

:: 25 March 2009

Voice workshop, Selina Keedwell, Intercre8

:: 25 February 2009

Women's oral history, Steve Humphries, Testimony Films

:: 28 January 2009

Indian Head Massage, Alison Cook, Pure Bliss Aromatherapy 0117 9831284

:: 10 December 2008

Paper Christmas decorations, Alice, Lottie and Carrie

:: 12 November 2008

Inaugural meeting - History of the WI, programming ideas, tea & cake

We're in Venue magazine!

2009-02-13T19:45:00.004Z

That's right, Bristol and Bath's favourite weekly what's-on features a nice little article about Malago WI on page 29 - available from newsagents now.

It's the one with Bristol and Bath's Top 100 most powerful people on the cover. Malago WI President Karen Bowers was 101.

See you on Wednesday 25 February,

MWI

How Hollywood made its heroines weight-obsessed and man mad

2009-02-09T14:34:00.003Z

Tinseltown WI, listen up! It's awards-ceremony time of year and, much as we love watching the TV coverage of our favourite actors on the red carpet, it's not all lovely frocks and blubbing. Read about the dumbing-down of female characters in Hollywood in this report.

Malago WI on ITV West news

2009-02-04T11:32:00.003Z

If you missed our TV debut last night, don't worry - it's available to view again online

Well done to all involved, and let's hope it brings oodles of new members through our doors.

MWI x

Stop the press!

2009-02-03T15:29:00.000Z

Those who attended January's fantastic meeting last week will remember ITV West sent a reporter along for interviews and more.

The time has come... tune in to ITV West news tonight at 6pm!*

And if you can't, we'll try to find a link so you can watch it online.
Keep your eye on the website for more information.

Yours in haste,
Malago WI
www.malagowi.co.uk

*that's if nothing more important happens between now and then...