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.