The Clifton Women's Institute

Tonight's Talk Big Data and Artificial Intelligence! The title of tonight's presentation by Heather Child seems really timely in light of recent scandals with Cambridge Analytica, Facebook and Instagram involving improper use of our data and online threats to our democratic process. Heather is an author living locally. Your blogger has read her first novel, "Everything About You", and was completely absorbed in her compelling presentation of a possible near future where the online world threads through every aspect of life, almost taking on a life of its own. Her next novel, "The Undoing of Arlo Knott", is out later this year and looks just as interesting. Alongside writing, Heather is a marketer and communications professional working in the charity sector. Last Month Jane Duffus flooded us with stories of local women through history. So many women! It was strange to realise how many important local people were largely lost to history, probably because...

University of Bristol Botanic Garden Visit. The Holmes Stoke Park Road Stoke Bishop Bristol BS9 1JG Durdham Down Group (DDG) Saturday 6 th July 2109 at 2.00pm Guided tours, lasting approximately an hour and a half, have been arranged for the DDG at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden. This will be the opportunity to experience a unique display of plants to enchant us all; explore the glasshouses to find succulents, orchids and a Giant Amazon Waterlily; visit the unique Sacred Lotus collection; discover prehistoric plants that dinosaurs ate and learn about the collection of rare and threatened natives. The cost of the tour will be £8.00 per person (includes £6.00 entrance fee), however, “ Friends of the Garden” pay a reduced rate of £2/head for the tour. Tours do take place in most weathers so please come suitably equipped. The Guides will make full use of the glasshouses if the weather is inclement. There will be the opportunity to have tea/ coffee ...

Well! Our last meeting was lots of fun! Emma Britton talked about her life in the BBC and we raffled a nice collection of regifted Christmas presents.  Before our next meeting will be our tour of BBC Bristol, so those of us going will have the chance to see where Emma works her magic. Next Meeting, March 27 th This should be interesting!  Jane Duffus is coming to tell us about  “The Women Who Built Bristol” . As well as being a long term freelance journalist and editor, Jane is well known locally for running ‘What the Frock’ comedy events, showcasing female comedians at a time when space for them in the mainstream of comedy was limited. She is also an active feminist, member of the Fawcett Society and endurance runner. She is telling us about some of the characters she assembled for her celebratory book about Bristol’s amazing women over the ages. There will be a little bit of business to attend to, including the result of the Resolutions vote, feedback on ...

Renewal: We are delighted to announce that our membership renewal is going well. There are a few members who have not yet got round to it, mostly because they could not attend the January meeting, so could those few please check out the emailed newsletter for a reminder of the ways in which renewal can be done. Radio:  This month's special guest is Emma Britton, breakfast presenter on BBC Radio Bristol. She is a brilliant speaker; warm, funny and engaging. It should be a great evening. Re-gifting: Christmas is just a memory but we are sure that, once again, several members will have received nice presents that simply don't fit in their homes. We are inviting you to bring them along so we can help them find new places to live, via a fund-raising raffle. Resolutions:  We posted off our votes to Avon just in time for their inclusion in the National numbers. The votes cast were as follows: 1. Improving Plant Biosecurity in the UK  -   3 2. Trees - I...

Welcome to 2019! After the joys of the Christmas  Party, we all need to calm down, so this month we have a presentation from  Diane Rodgers, Holistic Massage Therapist on Massage for Wellbeing. She will speak on the benefits of massage for physical, mental and emotional health. She will also give a demo and tips on how we can share this with family and friends, and there will be an opportunity to practice together in the workshop.  We will also be processing this year's membership forms and handing out membership cards, and finally, we will be thinking about this year's resolutions. Add in time to chat and catch up on news and it's going to be a busy meeting! Membership: forms are available on-line. You can now pay this month's subscription by BACS in advance. If you pay online, please do so as soon as possible, so that Sally has time to process all the payments, and remember to put who you are on the payment. Whet...

Royal York Crescent Christmas Fair We will have a stand at the Fair on 8th December, opposite 42 Royal York Crescent. Come along for some nice cakes and preserves and maybe even the odd craft item. Our Christmas Party Is at Nettle and Rye, 7.45 till it ends on December 12th, admission by ticket only (or if you haven't actually received your ticket, so long as we have had your payment, you'll be on the list!) The Committee look forward to seeing many of our members at the Fair, the Party or the remaining group parties, but whether we see you or not, we are sending festive thoughts your way!  Happy Christmas!

OUR WEB PRESENCE IS CHANGING. WE WILL SHORTLY HAVE A NEW WEBSITE FOR YOU TO ENJOY. IN THE MEANTIME, YOU CAN FIND LOTS ABOUT OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES ON FACEBOOK: CLIFTON W.I. OR ON INSTAGRAM. Meanwhile, our next event is our Christmas Party on Wednesday 12th at Nettle and Rye in Clifton Village. After that, it looks like this: January: Massage for Wellbeing Diane Rogers, Holistic Massage Therapist February: “My Somewhat Unusual Journey into Broadcasting” Emma Britton, from BBC Radio, Bristol March: Ladies W ho Made Bristol Jane Duffus, author April:   Zentangle – a relaxing way to create beautiful images Heather Lucie May: Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Heather Child, author June: Antibiotics Sue Easmon July Walk and ‘refreshments’ Our popular annual walk lead by a member