June...

Finally summer has arrived and long may it continue!

Last months meeting was a lovely summery affair, resulting in approximately 70 gorgeous fabric flowers (and a few crocheted flowers) for Vicky at Paper Village to add to the dresses that will be made at her many workshops for the Dress a Girl Around The World project.  Have you signed up for one of her free workshops yet?  Take a look at the Paper Village Facebook page for the workshop date or just pop into the shop and sign up there.

At our May meeting you might recall it was the time of the wooden spoon once more.  All members cast a vote to support (or not) the proposed Resolution of increasing organ donations.  Our majority vote was in favour of supporting the resolution and the information was taken to the AGM held earlier this month.  The resolution was passed with 5981 branches voting in favour and 133 against.

Next weeks meeting is all about boobs!  We’ve got 2 speakers visiting us, firstly Lynn from Perfect Fit in Keynsham will share her considerable knowledge about lingerie and the importance of ensuring you get expert fitting and advice to make the most of your figure whatever your shape and size. Aside from running Perfect Fit Lynn is also a leading light in the Keynsham business community having chaired the Business Association, now the Chamber of Commerce, for many years championing the interests of traders and retailers and the future of Keynsham town centre.

Our second speaker is local community midwife, Tracey Dawn White, who will share her own experience of successfully coming through breast cancer and provide advice on how we should all be more breast aware.
 
We’ll also have a bra bin at our meeting, so bring along your old bras, because simply by binning them you can help raise money for breast cancer research.

Or alternatively, how about sponsoring your own Malago WI team? We’ve entered the Race for Life on Sunday 6^th July, just click the link HERE and help support us and Cancer Research UK.

Finally, as mentioned last month, our July meeting will be a trip to Aldwick Court Farm for a vineyard tour and wine tasting (please let the sunshine continue!)  Places are limited as we’ll be travelling by coach.  It will cost £5 to help cover the cost of the coach hire (£10 for non-members).
So get you name on the list asap if you haven’t already and please bring the cash to the next meeting to secure your place, it’s going to be a fab evening and you don’t want to miss out!

Until Wednesday (don't forget your old bras!),

MWI x

May the fun continue...

Hello Malagowers,

we'll start start by saying thanks to Helen Blenkinsop for her interesting talk last month on preserving memories and her experiences in writing her parents memoirs.  It was lovely to hear and see members’ memories and family stories and diaries too.  I hope at least some of you have been inspired to do more with the memories you have or have had shared with you.  You can keep up to date with Helen’s writing activities via her website and social media, under her Pseudonym, AA Abbott.
Now tell me, have you all recorded details of last month’s meeting in diary form, photo records or blog format?!

This month’s meeting is a return to a bit of hands-on crafting.  Vicky, from Paper Village will be showing and helping us to make fabric flowers.  These will then be used to embellish dresses made at workshops run by Vicky, in her shop for the Dress a Girl Around the world project – of which we will hear more about at our meeting.

As mentioned at our last meeting, if you have some pieces or off cuts of fabric that you can donate to the cause, please bring them with you, if you have time and can cut out 12cm diameter circles that would be even better!  We’ll need 6 circles per flower, so even if you just do a few each, it’d be a huge help.
Also, any haberdashery you have spare will also be gratefully received and used, so buttons, beads, ribbons and lace – please bring along.

Perhaps you fancy making your own decorative item for embellishing the dresses, bring your crochet hook and crochet flowers, maybe?  Cut out a pocket, add a little embroidery and ribbon trim? If you've got the imagination for a bit of craft free-styling, then go for it! 

Now, how about this Race for Life?  Will you join the Malago WI team to help raise money for Cancer Research UK?  Register HERE for the 5k event and quote our group reference ID DI6428 to link in to our team. 
We’re not planning on breaking any speed records here, some of us will be walking so don't be put off by the thought of running!  Get a friend to register too – you don’t have to be a WI member to join our team.

Alternatively, could you spare a little money to make a donation on our Just Giving page?  We’d be very grateful, and maybe you could share the link amongst your friends via your social media pages?  Whatever you can do to support us and Cancer Research UK will be appreciated.

Finally, our lampshade workshop took place at the weekend and 24 stunning lampshades are now brightening Bristol - there's a photo on our Facebook page if you'd like a look!

Hope to see you on Wednesday, fabric and haberdashery in hand!

Until then,

MWI x

April...

Spring greetings to you all!

What gorgeous weather we’ve had recently, doesn’t it make you feel good?

Blue sky and sunshine, lovely – please stay.

Much like last month’s meeting – making porcelain beads, buttons, pendants and all manner of little trinkets with Lisa Stevens.

 A lovely evening of chatter and play also makes you feel good and we still have the thrill of getting the finished, glazed items back from Lisa!

This month Helen Blenkinsop will be talking to us about how to preserve memories. 

As a Women’s Institute maybe we’re more familiar with preserving fruits and vegetables, but how often have you heard a story from an elderly relative’s past, or witnessed your own children do something or say something that made you think ‘I must remember that’?

Well, Helen will tell us how.  And she knows, because she’s done just that having spent four years working with her parents to capture their memories and produce an 80,000 word book for future generations to enjoy.

 Helen is also a published author and writes suspense-filled thrillers with a touch of romance under the name AA Abbott; take a look at her website for more details about her books.

Bring along a pen and paper to the meeting on Wednesday and if you like, old diaries and photos - perhaps from your teenage years, or older ones that you've inherited.  Also a bit of pocket money, as Helen will have her books for sale!

Looking ahead to our May meeting, we’d like your help please.

We’ll be welcoming Vicky Harrison from Paper Village and Louise Horler from the Dress a Girl Around the World Project – read more about this lovely charity that provides little girls in third world countries with pretty dresses, HERE.

 We‘ll be making fabric flowers and decorating pockets and patches, which we will give to Vicky to add to the pillowcase dresses made during the sewing sessions she’ll be co-ordinating over the summer.

So, can you help by digging out any scraps of fabric and cutting out 12cm diameter circles for the fabric flowers?  We need 6 circles to make 1 flower, so your help will be appreciated!

Otherwise, any pieces of fabric, or haberdashery such as buttons, ribbons, bias-binding, pieces of lace and the like that you’d be willing to donate to the cause would also be very welcome.

In the meantime, be sure to support Vicky’s latest project as it reaches its climax.  Maybe you’ve already been involved in making pieces for the City of Briswool, a huge, woolly representation of our fine City.  It will be on display in Paper Village during the Arts Trail weekend of May 17^th and 18^th.

Finally, the Race for Life is happening in Bristol on Sunday 6^th July and Malago WI has entered a group.  If you’d like to be part of it, you just need to enter our Group ID code when you register and we can share our fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK as well as perhaps co-ordinate training sessions for those inclined to run!  Let us know if you’d like to be part of this wonderful event with Malago WI.

Until Wednesday,

MWI x

March in to Malago WI...

There’s a definite hint of spring in the air, isn't there?  We’ve seen more sunshine than rain recently and there was at least one day that could be described as warm since we were all together at February’s meeting with Karen Lowe.

 Have any of you spring cleaned your wardrobe with the help of Karen’s useful tips and your new found knowledge of your body shape? 

Or maybe you’ve just experimented by tying your scarf in a different way at every given opportunity!  Whichever, I hope you all enjoyed it.

We’re really getting our craft on this month; firstly March saw the inaugural get-together of the Malago WI craft Club sub-group (that doesn’t trip of the tongue – alternative suggestions on a postcard!)  It was a lovely, informal get together for members only that saw experienced and inexperienced crafters knit, crochet, and patchwork, chat and laugh together.

 

If you missed out this month, don’t worry, it’s a monthly club to be held on the Wednesday 2 weeks before our main meeting.  You don’t have to commit to coming every month or even have a craft project on the go.  Come along for inspiration and friendship.  Drop us a line for meeting details.

Continuing the craft theme with our March meeting, we’ll be getting crafty and creative with Lisa Stevens.  She’s a wonderful artist creating beautiful, small, textured porcelain pieces such as bowls, tiles and jewellery. 

Take a look at her work here and here.

We’re going to have a go at producing our own masterpieces at our March meeting, focussing on small, flat items such as beads and pendants or small tiles which Lisa is going to take them away to glaze and fire them before returning them to us to use as desired. 

How fabulous – although you might want to leave your own rings at home so they don’t get clay stuck in them!

 So get your thinking caps, Lisa has suggested that you might like to bring some items to shape or add texture to your work such as something to press into the clay, or any shaped cookie cutters that may make it more personal to them. Possibly textured fabrics; lace, brocade, knotting and crochet, all of which are fun to press into clay. Also things like textured buttons, old jewellery, bits of old ironmongery...or natural things like seed pods, leaves and shells. These can all make interesting textures in the clay.

As mentioned last month, a further craft opportunity is the lampshade workshop we’ve arranged with Quincy Lampshades for Sunday 18^th May, 1.30pm til 5pm.  

This is open to members and non-members, but spaces are limited to 25 so email us at wearemalagowi@gmail.com for details and prices and how to book.  Get your skates on and start choosing your fabric!

Finally, thanks to all who donated prizes and bought tickets at last month’s raffle – you helped raise £40 for Malago WI, yippee!

See you all next Wednesday,

MWI

February news...

How lovely to see so many of you at our first meeting of 2014!
It was a good one wasn't it? For those who missed it (why?!), Attic Tea came along and hosted a tea-tasting session.

It was a wonderfully sociable evening, the hall was decked out to reflect the fact that the Chinese New Year was upon us (did your fortune cookie bring good news and wise words?) and we had plenty of time to chat with each other as we discussed the veritable merits of the green tea blend, versus the black, white and pu'erh blends under the guidance of Anne.

So with brains boosted and stress busted we head in to February when Karen Lowe, image consultant and personal stylist, will help us with those age old problems that crop up for us all at some time or another;

Is your wardrobe full of clothes, yet you have nothing to wear?
Do you struggle in the morning deciding what goes with what?
Does shopping leave you stressed or upset?
Would you like to know your body shape and how to dress it?
Would you like to update or refresh your current image?
Karen is currently in the running for Business Mother of the Year, and at our next meeting her secrets will be uncovered to leave us brimming with self-confidence. Join us to discover a fabulous new you, looking at body shape SOS and the art of great accessorising.

Also at our February meeting we’ll be holding our raffle of excess and unwanted Christmas gifts, so bring along your contribution to the prize table and thank you to those of you that have already have done so!

Registration is still open too, it’s £34.70 for the year and we've got some great things planned so don’t miss out.

In other news:

WI business meant that members present at January’s meeting were able to cast a vote of support for one of four potential resolutions, which will become the key campaign backed by the WI. Our majority vote is forwarded to Avon Federation and final discussions and voting takes place at the AGM in the summer. The majority vote going forward from Malago WI is to support the campaign against female genital mutilation.

~

Are you considering entering the Race For Life this year in support of Cancer Research UK? The Bristol 5k event is on Sunday 6^th July and several committee members have decided to take part, we’d love to have you join us as well. We've registered a MalagoWI group, so we can provide you with a group id code if you’d like to take part with us, meaning all sponsorship raised will be donated as 1 submission and we’ll have a Just Giving page for easier fundraising. Nearer the time we can co-ordinate some ‘training’ sessions for those that want to and if you have daughters or friends who want to take part too but aren't WI members – well that’s fine, this isn't a members only event! Take a look at the website for further details and entry prices here. We can give you details at our next meeting too.

~

Who fancies a craft club? We’re trying to co-ordinate a monthly craft club, something fairly informal to be held at a committee member’s house probably. We've yet to sort out precise details, but are keen to find out who would be interested, so we’ll have a sign-up sheet at the next meeting to register your interest or you can email us to let us know. As a WI sub-group this will be for full Malago WI members only.

~

We’re also hoping to organise a lampshade making workshop with Quincy Lampshades, to take place on a Friday evening or weekend afternoon. Dates and costs will be sorted once we have an idea of who’s interested. This will be open to full Malago WI members first and guests afterwards if places remain. A sign-up sheet will be at the next meeting or you can email us to register your interest.

Phew, well that's all for now folks,
Hope to see on Wednesday,

MWI x

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everybody!

It seems a little late to be saying that, but it’s our first communication of 2014, so think it’s more than justified.
Hopefully you all had a wonderful time over Christmas and 2014 is moving along smoothly for you.

It was lovely to see some of you for Christmas drinks at the Tobacco Factory in December and our November meeting with Ivory Flowers was gorgeous.
Isn’t her shop looking fantastic, brightening up North Street during these drab, wet, winter days?

So here we are, January, traditionally the month for new regimes and resolutions – get fit, lose weight, stop smoking/drinking – essentially stop the fun stuff, straight after a month of indulgence.

It's just too hard, particularly with half full tins of chocolate, Christmas cake, biscuits and other delicious edibles bursting from cupboards and cluttering surfaces.
Far more practical to spend January enjoying all these tasty treats and start afresh in February, surely?

Well, with that in mind, we have Attic Tea visiting us in January for a tea tasting session.
Anne will talk us through the different types of tea available and the health benefits they offer.
Take a look at their lovely website if you’re not already aware of them and their products.
Maybe this will help kick start a healthier regime for February.
There’ll be products available for sale too, so come prepared, cash, cheque or credit card are all acceptable.
I’ll be looking out for the tea with cleansing and detoxifying properties!

As we mentioned at our last meeting, do bring along any unwanted Christmas gifts or excess boxes of chocolates, bottles of wine and so forth (unused and unopened, please!) that you want to get out of your house, ready for our raffle, which we'll hold during our February meeting.
We’ll store the donations until then and can co-ordinate the raffle draw and prizes in to something a little more orderly.

Importantly, please remember that it’s membership renewal month so you will need to pay your annual fee of £34.70 or the £5.00 visitors’ fee. You can pay by cash or cheque, but you only need to fill in the membership form if you’re a brand new member or if any of your details have changed.

Finally, we’d love more volunteers to help with the smooth running of our meetings, so if you can offer your services to help set up the hall before the meeting – committee members are usually there from 7.15pm, or help out with serving the tea and cakes during the break or to make/bring a cake to be served, that would be wonderful.
We’ll be creating a roster for helpers for each month which will be available at our meetings, or you can contact us through the usual channels to offer your help.

Until Wednesday...
MWI x

November news...

What a great October Blackout party!
We enjoyed a sociable and relaxed evening of themed food, music and movies. The hall had never looked so good, decked out in fantastic vintage bunting and 1940s memorabilia.
Hats off to all those who entered into the spirit of the occasion and came dressed up in style and huge thanks to the girls from the pop-up parlour who performed their 1940s hair and make-up magic on lots of lucky Malagowers.

We also got down to business with the formalities of the AGM, looking back on another successful year for Malago WI and feeling in good shape as we look ahead to an exciting programme of activities for 2014.
Thanks to our hard-working committee, with special thanks going to Nancy, Shelly, Jacqui and Emma who are taking a well earned break from committee duties and a very warm welcome to new members Lucy Culliford and Suzanne Bech.

We do need more committee members so would you just like to join us in helping to keep Malago WI a thriving, fun group?
Maybe you have a flair for photography or a great idea or contact for a future meeting? Maybe you’re keen to get a spin off WI group off the ground – a crochet club, book group or knitting circle? Whatever your reason, a warm and friendly welcome awaits you, not to mention tea and cake! Just get in touch or speak to one of us at the meeting and we’ll go from there!

Looking ahead to our final meeting of the year on Wednesday 27th November we’ll be getting into a Christmassy mood with a glass of punch and mince pies before Xanthe from Ivory Flowers demonstrates how to make a Christmas floral arrangement.

We’d like you to bring along some flowers and foliage from your own garden (or foraged if you prefer) and maybe you have a container that you think would be great for a flower arrangement but have never quite got round to working out how to make it look good?
Bring it along and Xanthe will create some impromptu displays using some of these and give us tips on how to create a lovely display with often overlooked foliage.

Xanthe will also have some goodies for sale so bring along some cash or your credit card, she’ll be telling us all about her new shop that’s soon to open on North Street too…exciting times!

Don’t forget that membership is open for new members to join for £34.70, existing members will need to renew in January, although if you’d like to do it at November’s meeting – that’s fine with us!

And if that hasn’t got you in a festive mood, don’t forget our December informal Christmas drinks get together, on 11th December from 8pm in the Tobacco Factory.

See you next week,

MWI x

Let's get ready to party!

Well hello Malagowers,

I think it’s time to admit that the summer – Indian or otherwise, is definitely over! 

We saw it out in style with some tasty seasonal recipes brought to us by Shannon Smith as she demonstrated some recipes using seasonal produce.

We sampled wasabi pea dip, courgette kofte, polenta pan bread and my personal favourite, the lovely, fresh potato and apple salad – why hasn’t it occurred to me before to use yoghurt for the dressing rather than the usual mayonnaise?   I hope you and your taste buds approved.

Now as the nights draw in and the temperature drops, what do we have to look forward to?

Only Malago WI’s 5^th Birthday Party and AGM!!!

We can’t wait – no we really can’t.  So we’re having it 1 week early on Wednesday 23rd October.

We’ve got lots in store for our 1940’s blackout party; food, music, movies, memorabilia and a fabulous pop-up parlour specialising in hair and make-up in the 1940’s style.

Do come dressed for the occasion, you may also get the chance to have your hair or make-up done by our parlour professionals – you’ll definitely be able to watch and learn and pick up some tips.

And as if that isn’t enough for you, membership also opens for new members, so if you’ve been coming along as a visitor until now, this is your chance to join up for 2014 for the small sum of £34.70 (and you get the last 2 meetings of 2013 for free – irresistible huh?)

We also have the AGM formalities, which will be confirming our committee for the coming year.  It shouldn’t take up too much time and then we can all enjoy a good, fun and very sociable evening.

Do say you’ll be there!

See you on the 23^rd

MWI x

Plenty, Bounty...Glut

So, before we bid a fond farewell to a well deserved warm and sunny Summer, let's recap on our August meeting with Bracey Interiors.
It proved a lively session with Malagowers sifting through an array of sumptuous fabrics brought in to dazzle and inspire.
Ben Bracey and his team romped through some of their style and design tips and completed projects to an appreciative audience who left the hall buzzing with design ideas and laden with tantalising brochures and catalogues.

Just a few days later, Malago WI were providing cakes to the masses at the International Kite Festival at Ashton Court. The weather was warm and sunny and the cakes were a hit with just about everything selling out by the end of the Sunday.
Thanks so much to everyone who helped out and made this a success, we've boosted our funds by over £650, and hopefully raised our profile too.
 

Now as September lives up to its reputation as the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness we look forward to this month’s meeting, entitled Plenty, Bounty…. Glut.
The session will be led by experienced food and cooking tutor and gardener Shannon Smith who is also involved in the Horfield Organic Community Orchard project
 

The full flow of late-summer harvest can feel both a blessing and a curse but Shannon will show us how to enjoy one more courgette, and that there’s more to apples than crumble.
This ‘cook and taste’ session features savoury and sweet foods –as well as recipes that children can help cook.
 

Members are invited to bring samples of seasonal produce – familiar and unusual – from the garden, allotment, or gathered from the wild, for tasting and inspiration.
 

It's gonna be a good 'un, see you there...

MWI x

Summer Summer Summer time...

Well, hello Malagowers
It was lovely to see so many of you at July's meeting.
What a fun and lively session we had with Liz Ferguson giving lovely idea's and tips for creating an eyecatching and appealing stand or stall for an event and sharing her wonderful albums of projects (not least of all her daughters wedding) and regaling us with her plentiful supply of warm and funny anecdotes .. all that and then on to the hands on activity of making tissue paper pompoms.
Weren't they fabulously frou-frou?
So simple and effective, but a real punch of colour - I like them a lot!

At August's meeting Bracey Interiors will be talking to us about interior design, less paper pompoms and more paint palettes I suspect!

I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice that we are nearing Kite Festival weekend, it's not too late to offer your services if you haven't already and we'd love to have you with us whether it's helping on the stall over the weekend or bumping up our cake numbers.
The money raised will go towards making your WI even better by keeping up our tradition of interesting, varied and fun speakers so any little contribution you make, really helps your Malago WI.
Drop us a line at wearemalagowi@gmail.com and make us an offer or hopefully we'll see you at Wednesday's meeting and we can talk then.

Until Wednesday...
MWI x

July..

So firstly we must extend a huge thank you to Deb Pearson for the fantastic life drawing class she brought to our June meeting. It was the most enjoyable, inspiring and meditative drawing lesson I’ve ever had and I hope you all feel the same.

Another first for Malago WI, this was an opportunity to try drawing for some, for others a chance to improve their craft, but for all a very calm and peaceful time studying the human form.

 It was great to hear so many positive comments from everyone there when we paused for tea and cake.

Her relaxed air and handy hints meant that everyone at the meeting learnt new skills and came away with a picture or 2 to be proud of and maybe even the inspiration needed to check out some local drawing classes.

Another creative month for July sees us welcoming Liz Ferguson who will be teaching us simple, effective ways to style and dress a party or event. 

This is a hands on session which will have us making some decorations as well as getting lots of tips and advice from Liz that will help us with hosting anything from a small children’s party up to, ooh, I don’t know … having a cake stall at a large, successful event such as The Bristol International Kite Festival!

We hope to see you all there,

MWI

Drawing you in to June...

 

So, how good was May’s meeting?  It really was a huge success and proved a great social occasion as well, a great set up for a good chat with edible treats to boot!

 

Sue Duggan from Teach Me Sugarcraft let us into some of the secrets of decorating cupcakes and under her skilled tuition, within minutes we were all turning out artistic creations everyone could be proud of. A big thank you to Sue and also to our May cake makers.

 

The relaxed format of the session meant we also had a chance to chat and meet one another which has resulted in lots of suggestions for our 2014 programme, but do keep the suggestions coming through all the usual channels as this will take some time to finalise.

June’s meeting will be challenging our skills in the art of life drawing. Deb Pearson has spent her life around art – she is a life drawing model, passionate collector of art and a regular at the RWA Drawing School.

 

Deb will lead our session, starting with tips and advice on life drawing before taking up a series of poses for us. (NB there will be nudity involved!!)

Please can everyone bring a sharpener and rubber and if you have your a favourite sketch book do bring this along too. But don’t worry if you don’t have your own as there will be paper, art pencils and charcoal provided – so avoid pale clothing with all that charcoal and graphite around.

 

As the summer kicks in just a reminder that July’s meeting will be a hands on craft session with Liz Ferguson making all sorts of beautiful decorations for our WI stand at the Bristol International Kite Festival (31 August/1 September).

 

If you can help with our Kite Festival stand in any way, whether it's baking cakes, loaning props or decorations, your time to (wo)man the stand over the event weekend, advice, previous experience, storage space... anything!  Please do let us know, many hands make light work as they say.

 

See you all next week,

 

MWI x

May the sun shine!

 

 

With a spring in their step Malagowers arrived ready for an evening of style tips and image-boosting with Karen Lowe, only to find, instead, local JP Bob Bennett, as Karen had to cancel at the very last minute!

So with a quick switch to our mind set, from clothing and fashion, to crimes of passion (ahem!), the energetic Bob quickly won us over with an insight into the role of a magistrate, followed by a mock crime which, through filmed interviews with the victim and suspect, encouraged us to question our attitudes and perceptions as the case progressed. 

An interesting fact of the evening: Bristol has the highest number of female magistrates in the country, go us!!

Huge thanks to Bob who stepped in at the eleventh hour and we’ll be seeing Karen at our February 2014 meeting.

On to this month’s meeting, Sue Duggan from the wonderful Teach Me Sugar Craft  will be inspiring us with her crafty cake creations.

 She will demonstrate how to decorate our cupcakes before letting us loose on four of our very own to take home…or eat in the break. They may or may not look something like the wonderful picture above - but that's really down to you!

Sue is a font of knowledge when it comes to cake decorating both large and small scale, and will be happy to answer any of your decorating questions or queries, she'll also be bringing some decorating paraphernalia which will be for sale so you may want to bring some extra money with you.

We will provide everything you need to decorate the cakes, but you might want to bring an apron just in case, or our fabulous Malago WI aprons will be on sale for you to purchase on the night for the new, reduced price of £8.00.

For those who took a WI Spring bulbs catalogue at the end of April’s meeting, please make sure you bring your order form and either a cheque for the total amount payable to ‘Malago WI’ or cash, so we can make the order before the beginning of June.

As a committee, we've begun thinking about our programme for 2014 meetings and would love to have some input from our members, so we'll be looking for your suggestions this month. 

We will have an anonymous suggestions box in the hall, and suggestions slips on every table. Malago is your WI and we really value any ideas you have for meetings. If you know anyone who might be willing to run a meeting or maybe you have a skill that you would like to share or a topic area that you'd like to see included, then this is your opportunity to let us know.

Finally, we are looking for new members on the committee, so if you are interested or would like a bit more information about what being on the committee involves, please speak to any of us during May’s meeting and we will be happy to tell you more. We will all be wearing blue name stickers on the night so you can spot us!

 

See you soon,

 

MWI x

 

Spring in to April

 

Having enjoyed a Magical March meeting with professional storyteller Martin Maudsley, huddled around candlelit tables listening to tales of enchanted forests, river gods and hidden treasure which, in turn, lead on to musical interludes of apples, sunshine and cider and a bit of riddle solving,  it felt like a fitting end to the dark, cold months of winter.

But now, here we are in April, enjoying longer, lighter evenings and the occasional, teasing glimpse of what spring has to offer, yet still waiting for it to fully unfurl!

So while we continue the wait, let’s get on top of our wardrobe woes with the help of renowned image consultant Karen Lowe.

Have you been shopping for jeans recently and thought ‘Which style will best suit me?’

Do you know which garment is the best style for you?

With Karen’s help we have the chance to indulge in body shape SOS.

Bring some items you struggle to wear, get ready to wardrobe de-junk and learn the style of great accessorising, the importance of correctly fitting underwear and how to dress in a way to flatter our bodies.

Karen has helped a number of clients refresh their style and increase their self-esteem to boot, now who wouldn’t benefit from a little bit of that?!

We look forward to seeing you all on the 24^th April!

 

Toodle pip!

MWI x

Storytelling March

With more than a hint of spring in the air it’s time to stimulate your imagination and  join in a magical evening of storytelling at the March meeting of Malago WI.

 

Leading us on our journey will be Martin Maudsley – storyteller supreme and master of traditional tales, local legends and oral stories who has wowed many a festival audience with his inspiring performances, including Malago WI back in 2011.

 

After all the energy and glamour of the wonderful Sambazinhas, last month, we are looking forward to a slight change in mood and pace with a more gentle evening of story telling .

 

March is also marks the highlight of the Comic Relief year. Please show your support by sporting a dash of red in your attire with all donations from our cakes on the night going to Comic Relief. So let’s really make it a night to remember.

 

To round off a big thank you to the Sambazinhas for taking us through our paces last month and bringing such enthusiasm and rhythm to our lovely ladies. Special thanks also to the wonderful cake bakers who helped to keep us going through the evening’s exertions.

 

Don’t forget to renew your membership subscriptions or if you are new to WI please come along and see what we are about. We have a great programme for the year ahead

 

February forever

Doesn't it feel like this month has dragged its feet? We'll be kicking up a storm in our dancing shoes this week, however, with the February meeting of Malago WI!

The Sambazinhas will be joining us on Wednesday 27 February at 8pm, giving us a high-kicking demo of their festival show. And, of course, we'll all get the chance to join in, so don't forget your (flat) dancing shoes and clothes suitable for copious amounts of jiggling and shaking.

Don't worry if you were expecting the rather more sedate Farrow & Ball - they will be coming up at the August meeting.

Just a brief one this month, without further ado allow me to thank the wonderful Janine Chisholm who inspired us all to make-do-and-mend last month, plus the cake-bakers from January's meeting - resolution-busting deliciousness all round. And don't forget to sign up for your membership at Wednesday's meeting - places are going FAST! (Just like our samba-dancing feet...)

Tchau, Malagozinhas!
MWI x

Happy noo year!

Well, hello Malagowers

It's been a while since we've seen you all (at November's glorious chocolate-making extravaganza). Christmas chaos and new years have come and gone, and we're ready to get Malago WI all set for 2013.

Kicking of the year in style is our January meeting - Wednesday 30 January, 8pm. Janine Chisholm of Custard Clothing is coming to talk thrifty style, something we could all learn something about. Janine is an expert in customisation, alteration, and all things fashion, darling. As well as talking us through the basics, Janine will be able to advise on revamping individual items so bring along a lack-lustre linen or a fading frock and find out how to breath new life into your wardrobe.

Don't forget to bring along cash or cheques (£12.99) if you're interested in buying Janine's book - Thrifty Style: Clever ways to revamp your wardrobe.

If you haven't already joined up, we're still accepting Malago WI memberships for 2013. For just £33, you get a year of thrilling meetings, sociable events, and the finest cakes known to humanity.

Speaking of which, we need refreshment executives to volunteer their services please. Make a cake or help out in the kitchen - either way, drop us a line to let us know.

And finally, we do like to eke out the Christmas cheer just as long as we can, so we're holding a raffle. Bring along an unwanted gift to add to the pile, and together we'll beat those January blues.

Until Wednesday...
MWI x

November rain....

Hic! Did you enjoy October's wine-tasting? We had a blast. After a couple of away matches, we're heading back to our usual haunt, Bedminster Methodist Church, for the final meeting of the year on Wednesday 28 November. To get us in the mood for the impending festive season, we'll be welcoming Frances Cooley of Clifton Cakes, who'll be making Christmas truffles with us. But only if you've been good.

Frances will also be making one of her famed chocolate shoes before your very eyes, and you can be in with a chance to win this delicious creation as part of our raffle - don't forget to bring a bit of spare change for your raffle tickets. We'll have a whole host of exciting prizes.

We're on the hunt for cake-bakers - reckon you could knock something up for the meeting? We'll be your best friend. Go on, make us your fave cake or biscuits - could even be something with a Christmas twist. Drop us a line to tell us you'll be bringing something - just email wearemalagowi@gmail.com.

And finally, we're thinking of having a stall at the North Street Christmas Fayre on Saturday 8 December. Could you spare an hour or two to help out? Sign up at next week's meeting.

Oh, and are you 2013 members yet? We are OPEN! Go Malago!
Until next week,
MWI x

Happy Birthday Malago!

We love Jane Brocket. It was a total pleasure to welcome her back to Malago WI and we hope you enjoyed hearing her speak, seeing her fabulous crafts, and buying those beautiful books. Thanks Jane, until the next time...

Well, we're fast approaching our 4th birthday - haven't we grown? Which means a rather special October meeting/party.

On Wednesday 31 October we will be celebrating this milestone with a spot of wine tasting. Because our usual venue is teetotal, we're changing venue again. Same time though - 8-10pm.

October's meeting will take place at:
St Paul's Church Hall
Coronation Road
Bristol
Here's a map.

Seeing as we're vino quaffing, we thought we'd park the cake for the month (gasp!) and go for cheese and biscuits. We'll provide the dairy, but we're after bakers who'd like to make crackers, biscuits or bread to go alongside. Email us with your carbohydrate offers.

And as if that's not exciting enough, our birthday party is also our AGM which means the swearing-in of our brand new 2013 committee. These wonderful women are stepping up to make sure Malago continues to be a well-oiled WI.

Talking of 2013, the programme is shaping up nicely. Don't forget to sign up for next year's membership - the guest list opens at the October meeting so you lot are first in the queue. We'll be changing the rules slightly, making it possible to come along as a guest for £5 (2013 membership is £33 for 11 meetings).

Another new development - we've changed our Facebook group/profile to a page so please 'like' us (please!).

Don't go changing...
MWI x

September with Malago WI

We're so very excited to announce the return of Jane Brocket - writer, knitter, embroiderer, blogger, domestic goddess extraordinaire. Jane visited us back in 2010, and her talk was the highlight of the year.

In September's meeting, Jane will talk Domestic Delights: Stitching, Knitting and Cakes, the subjects of the three books she's published this year. Jane was kind enough to write about her visit last time and we'd love to offer her a very warm welcome for her return visit - if you would like to bake a cake for the meeting, please drop us an email.

*CHANGE OF VENUE*
September's meeting will be at ACTA, Gladstone Street, Bedminster BS3 3AY - click here for a map. Same times though, 8-10pm. And we will be opening the meeting to guests - tickets £5 - so invite all your friends for a truly special evening. We'll kick the night off with a glass of fizz, and there'll be soft drinks available too, but no tea. I know!

Jane will bring along a batch of books to sign and sell, so don't forget cash or cheques (no plastic). It's all so very exciting.

Moving onto October's meeting which is our fourth birthday party and AGM, this will also take place at ACTA, and we'll be wine tasting. Instead of cake, expect an array of cheeses so we're asking for bakers to make homemade crackers and biscuits, pickles and garnishes. Drop us a line to volunteer.

Talking of volunteers, we have several vacancies on the committee for next year. Are you an accountant or book-keeper? Perhaps you're a budding photographer, florist, or stylist? Have an interest in events & marketing, a big little black book, or just want to develop your skills in many different areas? Malago WI committee is a great way to make friends, get involved, and give a bit more to your WI. Everyone who has been a committee member has had a fantastic experience - it's a great way to enjoy collaborating, learn new things and help shape the future of Malago. Have we piqued your interest? During the break at September's meeting, members of the committee will be on hand for an informal chat and to answer any questions (you are always welcome to email as well), and we look forward to welcoming lots of new faces to the 2013 committee.

Don't forget the change of venue, beautiful people.
See you very soon,
MWI x

Green and pleasant

Malago's July meeting was a triumph - hot weather, beautiful gardens, and a glut of jolly banter and generous cake. The Ethicurean folk could not be lovelier, and we thank them for their hospitality.

August - we're making felt beads so be prepared to get your hands soapy. We'll show you how it's done, give you a chance to make a few of your own, after which we'll make a few bits and bobs with more beads. If anyone has any fleece tops (balls of fleecy felt wool not old jumpers, you understand) bring them along to add to our multicoloured wool mountain. But we have a request - WE NEED CAKE BAKERS! Please come forward if you can muster up something delicious for August, drop us an email.

Looking forward, September is Jane Brocket (woo hoo!) and October is our 4th birthday party. Both these meetings involve a temporary relocation but we'll give you all the deets nearer the time. And if you've been wanting to get more involved with Malago, we're recruiting for new committee members - come and say hi if you think you might like to join the Malago gang.

See you on Wednesday 29 August,

MWI x