Malago WI - January Meeting

Happy New Year Malagoers – hope you all had a good festive break.  Congratulations to Kelly Cotter who had a baby girl Cora on New Year’s Eve!!

With January well underway and Christmas seeming like a distant memory, you may be feeling the winter blues.  If you are in need of a boost on these cold winter nights or some new ideas, then don’t miss this month’s meeting, on Wednesday 27^th January focusing on herbal medicine and treatments from the Urban Fringe Dispensary on Christmas Steps.

This traditional herbal apothecary provides accessible, professional herbal medicine to the including free expert over-the-counter advice, private consultations, and high quality bespoke herbal medicines, many of which are made from locally grown herbs. There are also three lovely treatment rooms which offer a range of other complementary therapies and treatments.

January is also membership renewal time so if you could arrive a bit earlier it will give us time to sort out renewals before the meeting starts. This year’s WI membership is £37.50.  We are also have a special new year offer of a lovely Malago tea towel, designed by Emily Ketteringham, for only £3 when you renew.   If you have any unwanted Christmas presents, bring them along as we will raffle these at February’s meeting.

We still need additional help on the committee.  If you are a new or existing member and would be able to spare a few hours a month, then we would love to hear from you.  We are particularly looking for those who are good with spreadsheets to help maintain the register or anyone who can turn their hand to a bit of web design, although any offers for help will be gratefully received.

Finally, a big thank you to all our bakers and helpers at the December North Street Fair, who braved the elements in November.  Despite the horrendous weather, which meant the Fair closed early, we made a welcome £199 which will go towards this year’s events and trips!

We look forward to another exciting year at the Malago WI and seeing you on January 27^th.

Malago WI - November meeting

 Hello Malagowers

Last month we brought a little bit of magic to Bedminster in the form of Tony Griffith who shared his close up magic with us.  We also held our AGM were we celebrated some of the great things that we have done this year and voted in a few new committee members.

This month’s meeting on Wednesday 25^th November will be a must for all you foodies.  We are delighted that Professor Peter Barham, Emeritus Professor of Physics at University of Bristol will be taken us on a culinary journey of molecular gastronomy.  Peter, who has collaborated with Heston Blumenthal, will be sharing the mysteries of making speedy ice –cream, the physics of black forest gateau and his love of all things penguin.  You are welcome to bring a guest, but please let us know so can ensure there are enough seats.

Don’t forget that if you want to get some Christmas shopping done, Malago WI tea towels will be available to buy at the meeting.

Members will be receiving their WI Life magazine this week.   This will contain details of the WI resolution for 2016 and voting slips.  We would be grateful if you could bring your completed voting slip to the meeting.

We are still looking for volunteers for our stall at the North Street Christmas Fair on Saturday 28^th November, taking place from 10am to 5pm. If are able to make cakes or volunteer on the stand for an hour or two, please let us know.  We are grateful for any help at this festive event, but if you are planning to make and bring a cake on the day, please let us know to save the Committee having to stay up all night to make cakes. We will also be selling Christmas decorations and our signature Malago WI tea towels.

We look forward to seeing you at our last official meeting of 2015.

MWI x

Malago WI October Meeting

Well, hello Malagowers

Our next meeting is on the horizon – Wednesday October 28^th 8pm-10pm at the Methodist Church, British Road.

September's meeting saw us making clever things from paper with expert instruction from origami artist Judith Lang. This months’ photo shows a few of the fantastic folded creations from the night.

October – it’s the annual fabulousness of the Malago WI AGM where we can look back at all the great things we have done this year and celebrate our 7^th anniversary. We are going to have a twinkly ‘magic’ evening with magician Tony Griffith, with his fantastic close-up magic – so don’t be late or Tony may be tempted to pull a rabbit out of your bag!Paper Villlage have been making Maisie cats to raise money to buy things to enhance the lives of people with Dementia. For those who would like to do some knitting and craft projects, we will be talking about how you can get involved.

Then we’ll enjoy an extended break with cake and delicious autumnal savoury nibbles.

See you next Wednesday night!

MWIx

September news...

Hello Malagowers What a lovely time we had at Windmill Hill City Farm in August. Chris Lambert was such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable speaker and we had fun looking round the Farm’s growing areas, not to mention sampling the chillies! Don’t forget the Farm’s ‘Eat Local’ event this Sunday 27th September.   So after a couple of months taking Malago WI on tour over the Summer, the nights are drawing in and we are back in the hall and ‘getting crafty’ with an evening delving into the intriguing world of origami on Wednesday 30th September.    The word "origami" comes from the Japanese "oru" meaning "to fold" and "kami" or "gami" meaning paper, and a lot of its traditions, techniques and experts come from Japan.   Teaching us will be origami artist Judith Laing who has been a specialist in origami for over 25 years. She has taught all over the world and exhibited her own creations widely as well as being a long standing member of The British Origami Society.   Judith will demonstrate the various techniques involved and then teach us all how to make our own origami pieces, including some lovely Christmas decorations. She will be providing all the materials required for this crafty session, so just bring yourselves!   Priority will be given to full Malago WI members should numbers exceed our capacity.   See you on the 30th! Until Wednesday... MWI x

August news...

Well, hello Malagowers

Everyone seemed to really enjoy our lovely Summer outing last Month. The weather held for our open top bus tour, glass of fizz and photo opportunity on the Downs, followed by that scrumptious cream tea at the Avon Gorge Hotel. It was great to see so many members, guests and also friends from other WIs.

Having got a taste for the great outdoors we thought we would make the most of the last of the summer by arranging another outing for our August meeting – this time to Windmill Hill City Farm.

Please note that instead of meeting at the hall for 8pm as usual you will need to make your way to the Farm for 7.15pm prompt.
(Philip Street, Bedminster, BS3 4EA)

We will start in the  outdoor Barn Terrace where Chris Lambert, the Farm’s Gardens Manager give an introduction to the Farm and then give his expert advice and tips on how you can grow your own veg and fruit in small urban gardens, raised beds and containers and other tiny spaces.

After a break for tea and cakes Chris will give a guided tour around the Farm taking questions en route. He will show their various growing areas and also some of the allotments, giving tips  and do’s and don’ts of planting, composting, pest control and what to grow when. We will be finishing by 9.15pm as it will be starting to get dark.

You are welcome to park in the Farm car park plus there is usually on street parking nearby as well.

Also advance notice that the Crafty Women centenary celebration of arts and crafts by Avon Federation of WI members is on at M Shed over the weekend of 19 & 20 September. £5 entry (£4 for WI members)

Until Wednesday 26th.....

MWI x