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.

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