August news...

It was delightful to hear from Sam White last month about the role of a celebrant. Sam is offering a freebie to give away for anyone who is interested in knowing more about going down the alternative/unconventional celebration of life route instead of the standard crematorium half hour. To find out more visit https://discover.ownyourceremony.co.uk/
 
This month, we are delighted that Ed Hall is leading another of his fascinating walks. Ed volunteers for the M Shed and runs regular tours around the harbour, displaying his amazing knowledge of the buildings, boats, and their history, picked up over the course of a long career skippering tourist and ferry boats in Bristol. Our walk this time is around the Cumberland Basin explaining how Bristol turned the tidal docks into the 'Floating Harbour.’
 
Starting at the Cottage we will walk to the Underfall Yard car park to understand its important sluices and their function. Then through to Underfall Yard itself which is a historic protected site. Part of the workshops were sadly devastated by a fire in May last year. Ed will explain the workings of the hydraulic power station and the patent slip for boat repairs.
 
Next on to the Cumberland Basin walking along the south side looking at the various locks, and bridges; including BOB -Brunel's original bridge and the first ever known use of tubular iron work for construction strength. Then on to see the bonded tobacco warehouses and their new uses, ending up with one of the most spectacular views of the Suspension Bridge. We will then amble back to the Cottage via the New Cut, the Chocolate Path, and the dockside railway line.
 
Start: 6.45pm for 7pm start at the Cottage, Baltic Wharf, Cumberland Rd, Bristol BS1 6XG
Expected duration 1 ½ hours. (NB It will be starting to get dark by the end of our walk).
 
Late arrivals – catch up with us at Underfall Yard, Cumberland Rd, Bristol BS1 6XG
NB If the Underfall Yard through route is shut we will walk round by road (Avon Crescent) to the Nova Scotia and Cumberland Basin.
 
Contact on the day: Avril mobile 0780 395 4120
 
Our members have been sent notification of the Avon Federation Annual meeting, taking place on Wednesday 25^th September. If anyone would like to attend, please contact us at wearemalagowi@gmail.com
 
Fingers crossed the weather is kind on Wednesday 28^th August for a beautiful evening walk.
 

July news.....

 We hope you enjoyed our June meeting as much as we did with the wonderful Karen Lowe, giving is advice on what colours to wear and making the most of our figures.

 
This month we will be joined by Sam White who is a celebrant based in Bristol, working all over the Southwest. Sam delivers bright, modern and inclusive ceremonies for couples, families and businesses who want their story told with authenticity and warmth. After 25 years working in education, Sam changed direction using many of her transferrable skills in setting up her business.
 
 If you are not familiar with what a celebrant does, they officiate non-religious ceremonies marking life's precious milestones - baby naming’s, weddings, vow renewals, gender affirmations and celebration of life or funerals. Ceremonies are not just limited to these moments - Sam has also been known to officiate ceremonies marking the openings of local businesses. Celebrants can bring a sense of joy and celebration to any important occasion.
 
Sam will be telling us all about how she creates personalised and bespoke ceremonies. She will also talk about doing funerals differently and the options available when it comes to how and where you can do this. Sam will delight us with her knowledge about modern weddings and how she tells the couples story and the ways in which friends and family can become involved creating a memorable experience for all the guests. You will have the opportunity to see a variety of different handfasting’s - a popular ritual that many couples are opting to include in their ceremony.
 
Some advance notice of our August meeting.  We will be undertaking a guided walk of the Cumberland Basin area with the ever knowledgable and engaging Ed Hall.  We will be meeting at the Cottage at 6:45pm to head off at 7pm.
 
We hope to see you on Wednesday 31st at 8pm.

June news....

Thank you to Robyn for her amazing Qi Gong session she led last month.  It was lovely to take part in a practice that was both relaxing and energising.
 
Our speaker this month is the wonderful Karen Lowe, a personal stylist whose aim is to help women regain confidence in themselves by taking the pain and frustration out of not knowing what to wear.  She works with clients to create the perfect style that suits your personality
 
She’ll be talking to us about colour analysis and how to identify what colours work best for you and will also be giving advice on body shapes and how to make the most of your figure and what to look for and what to avoid.
 
If you have not had the chance to renew your membership, we encourage to do so when we meet. The membership fee for 2024/25 is £48. As part of your membership, you can attend eleven meetings throughout the year and have membership to WI Avon Fed and National WI. Of the £48, we receive £23.60 of your membership, and this go towards covering the cost of speakers, materials, hall rent (which is £34 per meeting) and outings.
 
Membership can be paid by bank transfer or cash.
 
We hope to see you on Wednesday 26^th at 8pm.

May news....

 Thank you to our very own Suze for sharing her story and showing us how to make colourful and fun jewellery. A welcome bit of colour to welcome summer.

 
This month one of our members, Robyn, will be leading us in a session of gentle movement and self-care through Qi Gong.
 
Shibashi is a Chinese form of exercise called qi gong. Shibashi means '18 moves' and Qi Gong means 'energy work'. Qi or energy is in all living things and permeates the universe.
 
Qi Gong dates back thousands of years and was practiced by the shaolin monks to promote the smooth flow of energy through the body.
 
Chinese medicine is based on the principle that the smooth flow of energy through the energy channels (meridians) in the body is the basis of good health and that illness is caused by the stagnation of qi or blockages in these energy pathways.
 
The Shibashi sequence of eighteen soft, gentle movements was developed in the early 20th Century to help patients recover from injury, regain their strength, and improve their health. The exercises were found to be so effective at improving health and wellbeing that it is taught and practiced all over China.
 
No skill is required to practice, the movements are very simple, and the students simply copy the teacher, it can be practiced seated or standing.
 
No effort or competition is intended in the practice. It does involve raising the arms above the head and soft gentle twists from side to side but if one is unable to do so it is perfectly OK to leave bits out. Only do what is comfortable.
 
Please wear comfortable clothing and flat comfortable shoes.
 
If you have not had the chance to renew your membership, we encourage to do so when we meet. The membership fee for 2024/25 is £48. As part of your membership, you can attend eleven meetings throughout the year and have membership to WI Avon Fed and National WI. Of the £48, we receive £23.60 of your membership, and this go towards covering the cost of speakers, materials, hall rent (which is £34 per meeting) and outings.
 
Membership can be paid by bank transfer or cash.
 
We hope to see you on Wednesday 29^th at 8pm.

 

We hope you enjoyed our Easter crafting, hot cross buns, and chat at our last meeting as much as we did. We also hope you had a lovely Easter with an abundance of chocolate, treats and time with loved ones.
 
This month, we continue our crafting theme which is hosted by our very own Suze.
 
Lock down and constant video meetings, inspired Suze to set up SuzieEstherJewellery to try and add a bit of variety and colour into days spent at home staring at a camera!
 
All pieces are handmade by Suze in sunny Bristol, in her cosy garage workspace. She brings a pop of colour to the wearers day and aims to make pieces that the recipient can dress up or down.
 
She combines traditional silversmithing with cold enamel, and polymer clay to give that pop of colour and something a little different. Due to the nature of the processes, each piece will be unique.
 
The pieces are made using recycled silver where possible, and all clay, enamel & waste metal is saved to reused in future projects
 
Suze will show us how we can make our own earrings with polymer clay. All materials will be provided, however if you have a glass work top safer or shining ceramic tile you can bring, this will be helpful to roll out your clay.
 
April is also membership renewals. The membership fee for 2024/25 is £48. As part of your membership, you can attend eleven meetings throughout the year and have membership to WI Avon Fed and National WI. Of the £48, we receive £23.60 of your membership, and this go towards covering the cost of speakers, materials, hall rent (£34 per meeting) and outings.
 
We want to ensure that we offer our members and guests a diverse range of meetings and outings. We have seen a significant increase in our costs and will therefore be increasing the cost of a guest to £8.
 
Membership can be paid by bank transfer or cash.
 
We have another exciting programme planned for the year. We hope to see you on Wednesday 24^th April at 8pm.