November News....

October’s meeting was on a cold dark, night which was perfect for Kim Thomson to show us how to produce our own light graffiti.  For a lot of first timers, we did pretty well.

November is our last meeting of the year and what better than getting the creative juices following with a lino printing workshop hosted by Lucy Dabner.  Lucy started learning printmaking techniques in the late 1990s whilst attending Chelsea College of Art and Design (The London Institute) and Falmouth College of Art.  Although her career then took her into another direction, she has recently taken up lino printing again focusing mainly on Arabic/Islamic patterns. 

Lucy will be showing us the lino printing process from choosing and transferring an image onto the lino, through to a final finished print in a single colour.  As it will be the run-up to Christmas, we will be producing lino cut Christmas cards and festive tags to take-away. All the tools and ink will be provided, but please bring any card or tags you would like to print on.  As we will be using ink, you may want to bring something to cover your clothes as the ink can stain.

All members now have the opportunity to vote for the WI resolutions which will go to the WI AGM in June 2017.  The 2017 resolutions are:

1. Alleviating loneliness.
2. FGM. More awareness for more action.
3. Equal access for all who need specialised maternal mental health services.
4. Provision of appropriate welfare and safe spaces for women & children in refugee camps.
5. Supporting women's refuges.
6. Plastic Soup. Keep microplastic fibres out of our oceans.

Voting slips and further details of the resolutions are in this month’s WI Life.  Please bring your voting slip along to the meeting.

We hope to see you on Wednesday 30^th for our last meeting of 2016.  If you are not able to make it, we wish you best for the festive period and see you in January 2017.

October news...

September’s meeting saw us upcycling courtesy of Sarah from My English Home.  We got to learn about different upcycling techniques using Annie Sloan paints.  If you have caught the upcycling bug, Sarah would love you to visit her at My English Home.  Don’t forget your voucher for a 10% discount.

October means it’s time to celebrate as it will be Malago WI’s 8^th birthday.  This year we will have a Diwali theme, so we will be enjoying a feast of savoury and sweet snacks.  For those bringing refreshments, you might like to try creating some Diwali inspired treats.  Here are some delicious recipes to inspire you!

Autumn is well and truly here and although we might not like the nights during in, it is perfect for our October meeting hosted by Kim Thomson.  Kim is a multi-disciplinary artist specialising in silversmithing and alternative photography.  She has been delivering creative art workshops to a range of groups in Bristol for over 12 years.  Kim will be teaching us to create light graffiti where we will be designing and producing our own light graffiti light pictures using a range of light sources and digital SLR cameras.  Kim will be providing all the equipment required and we will have the opportunity to get prints of the finished articles.

We look forward to seeing you all for our birthday celebration on Wednesday 26^th.

MWIx

September News....

After a summer of outings and with the night’s drawing in, we are returning to the hall to be treated to a feast of upcycling!!

We will be joined by Sarah from My English Home  exclusive Bristol stockists of Annie Sloan paint and products in the beautiful Clifton Arcade. Sarah was trained by Annie herself and now holds courses using these paints for furniture renovations. Annie first developed the paint some 25 years ago wanting something that allowed her to be creative and spontaneous with no need for prep!  Once you’ve tried it – you won’t go back to sanding!

Sarah will be showing us all how to upcycle and revive that old piece of furniture you keep thinking you should throw out! She will be giving us demonstrations of painting, upholstering, and various effects and finishes.  You be will inspired to go home and breathe new life into your own chairs and tables!

You will then get a chance to create your own Annie Sloan piece – please bring a small photo frame (or mirror) to try your hand at the 2 colour paint effect! Please do wear something you don’t mind getting paint on!

You will have the opportunity to buy a number of products including books, brushes and mini project packs consisting of two 100ml tester pots of Annie Sloan chalk paint, Annie Sloan clear and dark and an Annie Sloan natural bristle brush. The pack retails for £29.95.

You will also be able to order 1 litre tins of paint and anything else that takes your fancy!   Sarah will accept cash or cheque.  All attendees will be given 10% off their purchase on their 1st visit to Sarah’s shop.

We look forward to seeing you back at Bedminster Methodist Church on 28^th September.

MWIx

August News.....

Hello Malagoers

July saw us leave the Bedminster Methodist Hall and venture to Windmill Hill City Farm for an evening full of food.  Thank you to our members and guests who were able to attend and take part in an extremely enjoyable evening.  We were able to taste a number of local cheeses provided Rosie Morgan aka The Bristol Cheesemonger and everyone had a go at making their own pizzas which were delicious.

Summer is still with us, so we are out and about once more in August.  Many of you attended our June meeting where Tim Mowl gave us an alternative view of the architecture in Bristol. We are delighted that Tim will be leading a walk to bring this to life.  From a pugilistic pub to a hospital of alternative medicine, our route will start at The Hatchet Inn and take us via the Red Lodge to various medieval buildings and alms-houses, then on to Lodge Street, round Christmas Steps and by Hotel du Vin.  We will then tackle St Michael's Hill to the Homeopathic Hospital where we will be rewarded with its lovely gardens, finishing at the Highbury Vaults for a well-deserved drink.

If you are thinking of attending, drop us an email so we can gage numbers or just come along on the night.

For any of you who are inspired by our walk around Bristol, The Architecture Centre are asking local bakers, designers and architects to recreate their favourite Bristol building in a cake to help celebrate their 20^th anniversary.  Visit The Architecture Centre - Architectural Cake Competition for more information.

We will be starting the meeting a bit earlier than normal, meeting at the Hatchet at 7:15 for a 7:30 start. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 31^st.

MWI x

July news...

Hello Malagoers

After a highly entertaining meeting with Tim Mowl, it is time for us to leave Bedminster Methodist Hall, enjoy the evening sunshine and go for our annual summer outing.

This year’s outing will be to Windmill Hill City Farm on Philip Street, Bedminster.  We have been able to arrange a packed evening for you to take part in.  We will start the evening with a tutored cheese tasting hosted by Rosie Morgan aka The Bristol Cheesemonger.  Already a regular at food markets, Rosie now has a permanent shop in St Nicholas Street which stocks up to 100 different cheeses mainly from the West Country.  Continuing on with the food theme, we will be cooking our own pizzas in the Farm’s wood burning oven.  Dough, sauce and toppings will be provided.  Soft drinks will be available, but please feel free to bring along any other drinks such as wine or beer.

In order to fit everyone into the barn and ensure it is not too much of a squeeze, we have to limit numbers.  Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.  If you would like to attend, please email us by Monday 18^th July to reserve your space and let us know if you have any particular dietary requirements. We will be allocating spaces to members first and we can then offer places to guests at a cost of £10.  This will also be allocated on a first come first served basis.

There were sunshine and showers on 25^th June where we had a very successful day at the North Street Summer Fair raising nearly £300.  Thank you to everyone who helped out with setup, staffing the stall and baking a range of delicious cakes.  Without your continued help and support, we would not be able to take part in such fundraising events which are essential to fund activities such as our summer outing.

We will be starting the meeting a bit earlier than normal at 7:15 for a welcome glass of fizz and be finishing by 9:30. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 27^th  at Windmill Hill City Farm.

MWI x

June news.....

 

 

Hello Malagoers

Our May meeting was jam packed with talks and demonstrations from Mary Hall on lip reading and Zoe Hunt from Mini First Aid on paediatric first aid.  Both speakers contributed to a highly entertaining meeting.

This month we are delighted to welcome well known writer Tim Mowl. Aside from his many architectural and landscape books he recently published a series of 12 urban walks called Bristol Explored. Unlike conventional guide books he encourages the walker to view the city through fresh eyes giving a light hearted but fascinating insight into its architectural past as well as social history, new buildings, sculptures and even street art.  Tim will also touch on his current project a book on Regency gardens to coincide with the bicentenaries of Jane Austen and Humphry Repton, entitled ‘All around is Fairy ground – Pleasure and the Regency Garden’.  Then for our August meeting, Tim has offered to lead a walk around the Harbourside finishing at a suitable waterfront pub.

In addition to our monthly meetings, we have set up other groups to allow our members to explore some of their interests.  The Sock club has already met on two occasions and three knitters are learning the tricks of the trade with Judi Edwards.  The Craft club and Cocktail club have held their first meetings and a great time was had by all.  The Craft club will be meeting next on 23^rd June and the Cocktail Club at the beginning of July with an outing to The Pump House.  If you are a member and would like take part in these clubs, but haven’t had a chance to sign up, please email us.

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes AGM was held at the beginning of June.  Over 5300 women attended and that both motions, avoid food waste, address food poverty and appropriate care in hospitals for people with dementia, were carried by a significant majority.

We are hoping that the sun will be shining on Saturday 25^th June when Malago WI will have a stall at the very popular North Street Summer Fair.  Thank you to those who have volunteered to help out on the stall and bake cakes.  We would like to exceed the funds we raised last year of over £600, so if you can bake a cake or spare some time on the day, please email us.  We will have cake drop off points the day before as well for those who aren’t able to come to the stall on the day.

We look forward to seeing you at 8pm on Wednesday 29^th.

May news...

Hello Malagoers

Thank you to everyone who was able to come to our April meeting.  The creative juices were following and we were able to make some fantastic bunting to help brighten up the hall and decorate the Malago WI stall at upcoming fairs.  If you took some home to finish, it would be great if you could bring it with you.

This month, we are lucky to have two speakers, Mary Hall and Zoe Hunt.

Mary has been teaching lip-reading classes to hard of hearing, and deaf people, for over 15 years.  Having grown up with two profoundly deaf parents, she feels strongly that deafness is an isolating condition but that it needn’t be like that.   Lip-reading lessons helps empower people to learn skills to help overcome communication barriers.  Mary will talk about her experience, explain the mechanics of lip reading and take us through a hands on exercise.

Zoe is a mumpreneur.  She set up the first franchise of Mini First Aid nearly 3 years ago.  The organisation provides training in infant and paediatric first aid to parents, grandparents and carers.  There are now 14 franchises across the country and it continues to expand week by week.  Mini First Aid was the winner of the Mumpreneur Awards 2015.  As well as sharing her experience of setting up a new business, Zoe will also demonstrate techniques for dealing with choking incidents.

We have now set up a number of additional groups outside of our monthly meeting for Malago WI members and dates for the initial meetings have been arranged.  If you would like to take part in these and haven’t signed up yet, please email wearemalagowi@gmail.com.

Sock Knitting
The first course of sock knitting with Judi Edwards is taking place over 4 sessions in June and is now full. There will be an update about the possibility of a further course if you missed out.

Cocktail Club
Following a great response from members to the Cocktail Club will launch on Thursday 9 June from 8pm.  At this meeting we will have some celebratory drinks and plan how we want to go forward to suit people’s interest in different activities, possible themed visits and rough costs depending on numbers.

Craft Club
The initial meeting will be taking place on Thursday 19^th May.  It's a chance to hang out, chat and make stuff (with tea and cake of course!).  You can bring whatever you're working on or just come and browse crafty books for inspiration!  Further dates will be arranged shortly.

As part of the May meeting, we will be asking members to vote For or Against this year’s WI resolutions:
 

• Avoid food waste, address food poverty
• Appropriate care in hospitals for people with dementia

Further information is available in on the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) website. The outcome of our vote will be taken to the NFWI AGM in June.

To help with our fundraising, Malago WI will have a stall at this year’s North Street Summer Fair on Saturday 25^th June.  We had a very successful day last year and raised over £600.  We still need volunteers to provide cakes and help out on the stall.  Sign-up sheets will be circulated during the meeting.  Any help you can provide, either baking a cake or staffing the stall for an hour or so, means we can make this year’s fair even more successful.

We look forward to seeing you at 8pm on Wednesday 25^th

April News....

Hello Malagoers

March’s meeting was a fascinating look at the making of BBC Natural History programmes by Sara Douglas assistant producer and researcher.  Sara shared her experience of working on a number of ground-breaking programmes including the recent Big Blue Live.

This month, we are going to get crafty, with bunting making workshop hosted by Kirsten Clark from Make and Do.  Kirsten and her team, provide inspiration for novice and experienced Crafters, including a wide range of materials for all types of crafts and regular workshops.  Kirsten will be teaching us all about bunting making from cutting to sewing and embellishment with applique techniques.

As the Malago WI bunting is in need of a bit of a refresh, will be focusing on making bunting to help decorate our stall at up and coming events.  All materials and equipment will be provided, but if you have any materials you are able to donate in Malago WI colours, leaf green and cerise pink, they will be grateful received.

At the March meeting, we circulated sign-up sheets for a number of additional groups for Malago WI members; cocktail club, craft club, sock knitting and a number of our members have signed up.  We have also had a request for a Pub Quiz team.  The sign-up sheets will be circulated again at the April meeting, and following this will contact those interested with details of initial meetings.

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) AGM will be taking place in June and Malago WI has been fortunate to be able to send a delegate this year.  As part of the AGM, we will be required to vote For or Against this year’s WI resolutions:
 

• Avoid food waste, address food poverty
• Appropriate care in hospitals for people with dementia

Further information is available in on the NFWI website.  We will also be providing information at the April meeting and will be asking members to vote at the May meeting.

To help with our fundraising, Malago WI will have a stall at this year’s North Street Summer Fair on Saturday 25^th June.  We had a very successful day last year and raised enough funds to pay for two outings in 2015 and are hoping to do even better this year.  We will be asking for volunteers to provide cakes and help out on the stall.  Sign-up sheets will be circulated during the meeting.  Those who have helped out previously can tell you what a fun day it is.

For those of you who are thinking of becoming a member but haven’t got round to it yet, membership fees are £28.10 for the rest of the year.  This includes for eight meetings, two of which are summer outings!

We look forward to seeing you at 8pm on Wednesday 27^th.

MWI x

March news...

Hello Malagoers

February at Malago WI saw us enjoy the delicious delights of Zara’s chocolates who very generously provided samples of her incredible chocolate and we learnt that chocolate is a lot more than your favourite bar.

For this month’s meeting we are delighted to be hosting Sara Douglas.  Sara works in natural history film making.  Sara spent 2 and a half years with the BBC Natural History Unit as assistant producer/researcher on several ground-breaking series including;  the recent Big Blue Live – from Monterey Bay in California and Japan – Earths Enchanted Islands as well as favourites such as Springwatch.  She is currently with Keo Films, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s company, working on a documentary Pushed to Extinction.

Sara will give an insight into how wildlife programmes are made from the initial research and filming to the final edits and screenings. We will get the chance to see extracts from various programmes she has worked on; including 'Big Blue Live' and we will be providing some cinema related treats.  Sara will be delighted to answer any questions you have about her work or natural history film making.

We hope as the days are getting longer and the nights are not so chilly, that we will see many familiar and new faces at our March meeting.  We appreciate for those of you who drive, parking can be tricky, but there is ample parking on West Street and at the free car park on Diamond Street.

We try to shape the meetings around our members and their interests.  If you have any suggestions for future meetings, please let us know.
                                                                                                                                                                                                      
We look forward to seeing you at 8pm on Wednesday 30^th  

February news....

 

January saw us learn more about herbal medicine especially all things bitter courtesy of Max Drake from the Urban Fringe Dispensary.  February’s meeting looks at another type of medicine – Chocolate.

Zara Narrocott, will be joining us from Zara’s Chocolates.  Zara started making chocolates in 2010.  Starting from home, and selling markets, the company started to grow and in 2013 opened a shop on North Street, partnering with Ivory Flowers. All chocolates are made on site, using fairly traded chocolate, good quality ingredients and no unnecessary nasties!

Zara will be talking about the history of chocolate and chocolate making.  But perhaps, more importantly, there will be the opportunity to do some chocolate tasting!  You will also be able to buy some of Zara’s fabulous chocolates.  It would be helpful if you would bring cash along if you think you will be interesting in buying anything.

If haven’t had the chance to do so, you can still renew your membership at the meeting.

We will also be holding a raffle to help raise funds for Malago WI.  If you have any unwanted gifts you would like to donate, please bring them along.

Don’t forget to visit the Malago WI website for information about future meetings!

We look forward to seeing you at 8pm on Wednesday 24^th.

 

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.