Some events and ideas for Clifton WI members over this summer

Clifton WI members like to get out and about in smaller groups for outings and visits.  

We have some planned dates and ideas so do come along to our next meeting on April 26th or look out for your next newsletter in your inbox for further details.

🌸 👣 🎭 ♣🍲🚶🌉

In May a group are heading to Hanham Court Gardens, in July we have our annual meeting 'on the hoof' when we go for a walk ending in a local pub.  In addition, some will be going to find out a bit more of the shady history of life in Bedminster on a guided walk and we are also thinking of planning a visit to the hidden parts of Clifton Suspension Bridge.  

This is in addition to monthly meetings and all our social groups getting together for theatre trips, meals or to review books and play a variety of games.

Interested in joining Clifton WI?

If you would like to join us, the first step could be to visit us at a monthly meeting.

For details see the green box next to this post or contact us at our email thecliftonwi@gmail.com 

Children of the 90s Kate is coming to update us at the April meeting

 

You may recall that last year Professor Kate Northstone from Bristol University was going to give us an update on how this amazing research project is going some 30+ years after it started in Bristol?  

We had to reschedule and are giving it another try.

We are looking forward to hearing from Kate on Weds April 26th from 7.30pm so do come along to join us.  

Visitors (females) are welcome to come along with Clifton WI members for the usual £5.00 attendance fee.  We know lots of our members have had involvement in this project over the years.

If you would like to find out a bit more in advance this link should help.  The project is now called ALSPAC

What do the spring and summer months hold for Clifton WI members?

April is the annual membership renewal month and many members have already renewed for 2023/24 which is great news.

In case you are new to WI or possibly new to Bristol and wondering whether to give us a try, here are some of the the activities we have in mind for the coming months:

Our monthly meetings programme for the last Weds of each month is available so you can see the range of speakers and topics

Our social groups meet regularly and are an excellent way of getting to know us in smaller groups whilst doing something enjoyable, such as eating, playing games, chatting about books or going to the theatre

In addition our members arrange one off activities like the recent trip to the immersive experience Wake the Tiger. In May a group of us are going to visit Hanham Court for a tour and tea. We are also planning a group walking tour of the slightly more notorious side of Bedminster in July. So quite a range!

You are welcome to give us a try before deciding whether to become a member.  Come along to our monthly meetings up to 3 times as a visitor for a payment of £5.00 per visit and then if you do join us you pay a pro rata membership rate for the year.

We would love to see you and are a welcoming bunch.  Perhaps give us a try?

Clifton WI is off to the seaside in February

Well actually in truth we are virtually off to the seaside, to the Minack Theatre in fact in the south west corner of Cornwall. 

Sandy Bateman is coming to tell us all about this amazing rock based open air event venue

February is also the opportunity for you to sign up to renew your membership which is due by 1.4.23.  Look out for the reminder email sent to you by Ann our President or via this link

Welcome to 2023 at Clifton WI

After a fun Christmas Party at Starlings on Queen's Road we all emerged from our festive breaks into a somewhat damp January and new year.

However we are looking forward to a good year of events, activities and gatherings.  Find details of our programme of speakers here.  

If one of your resolutions is to try something new in 2023 why not come along to Clifton WI and give us a try?  You are always welcome.

Our first meeting of the year is on Weds 25th but no haggis or Burns poetry for us! 

Resolutions

Each year at this time we vote on the resolutions which were circulated to members in the regular magazine WI Life.  Come along to hear a bit more about each of the 4 resolutions.  You can also vote online if not able to come to the meeting.

Re-gifting and Book Stalls

These are usually popular with members and a good way of passing on your read or unwanted items for a good cause.

🎁📚🕯🍫🛀💍💄

Please bring any donations with you to the meeting and some cash.

Activity

To see how we are at following instructions in groups (and just for a bit of fun) we will be doing an activity involving a familiar task

Next few meetings

Here are some dates and details for your diaries...

Monthly Meetings

November 30th we will be joined by Maddie Green from Honeybees Florist who will demonstrate her skills and we will raffle her finished bouquet

December 14th It is Christmas Party time for all our members 🤶

We are meeting at Starlings at 99 Queen's Road at 7.30 for food, drinks, fun and games.  

Tickets to be purchased in advance £20.00 includes a buffet supper and first drink.  

Please pay (by December 1st):

• at the November meeting or 
• via BACS adding your name to the payment details so Helen knows who is coming 
• check your email inbox for a message from 14th November with BACS details 

We look forward to seeing you there, it is usually a fun evening 🎉🎉🎉

January 25th Our first meeting of 2023.  

As well as voting on the WI Resolutions we will be running 2 stalls for fund raising.  

These are usually popular in the post Christmas period.

Please bring along books for sale and gifts for 'regifting'

If we have time we would like to try a 'blind tasting' game for a bit of fun

Programme for the next year

Dina has been hard at work and has arranged a varied programme for our monthly meetings

Finally

Book Group 

Most of our social groups are a thriving part of Clifton WI but the Book Group would welcome a few new members if anyone is interested?  

Please either speak to Ann Pulteney at a meeting or contact via thecliftonwi@gmail.com

October meeting - looking after the health of Clifton WI (and ourselves)

We are doubling up this month

We are combining a very gentle movement workout (no need to don any special clothing or shoes) with a review of 2022 at our next monthly meeting.

• Vicki Harris a Personal Trainer is coming to deal with the former  
• The Clifton WI Annual Meeting is our chance to review and plan for a committee in the next year

Members will receive the annual reports from our Secretary(s) and Treasurer before the meeting on October 26th.  

This allows you to read and identify any queries before the meeting and hopefully allow optimal time for socialising and our session with Vicki.  

As always if members have any questions about the 'business' of Clifton WI for the Committee please get in touch via thecliftonwi@gmail.com

Despite this being what looks like a 'members only' meeting any visitors are of course very welcome to come along.  You cannot vote on the reports but otherwise do join us (£5.00 cash payment please)

Our next meeting - September 28th at 7.30 - Update on an important local long term research project

 Children of the 90s - Would you like to hear about this special healthcare research project which started 30+ years ago in Bristol?

The story of Children of the 90s is a fascinating example of what can emerge from the idea to take a long term view when looking at population health.  Now some of the children of the children of the 90s are also involved.

Questions for our Clifton WI members:

• Have you been involved as a family in this programme?
• Do you know someone who is?

If you have a female friend or relative who might like to come along they would be very welcome to attend as visitors - £5.00

Professor Kate Northstone from Bristol University is coming to our next meeting.

She will tell us about what is happening with this project in 2022 and about some of the learning which has emerged from research findings in the last 3 decades

2 requests for Clifton WI members

A night at the Ballet

Are any of you interested in joining a group of us heading to the Hippodrome in November to see the ballet production from English National Ballet called Raymonda?  It has had amazing reviews.

Please just let us know by emailing thecliftonwi@gmail.com asap and we can include you

Tell us about yourself

Also we know we have an interesting group of members at Clifton.  

If any of you might be persuaded to give a talk at a future meeting please do get in touch as we would love to hear from you.  Use the usual thecliftonwi@gmail.com address. We wondered if anyone has lived and worked overseas, had an unusual job or generally a good story to tell? 

Those of us who have the chance to get to know one another better at our subgroup events really enjoy this aspect of Clifton WI membership.

You don't have to prepare the dreaded "next slide please" type of presentation if that is not for you!  Let's chat about what might work best for you

What is it like to be a Lord Mayor?

Councillor Jos Clark is coming to the August Clifton WI meeting to give us an insight into what is involved in this role - apart from wearing splendid headgear!  

Our meeting is on Weds 31st August at 7.45 in the Alma Hall.

Benefits of a stroll on a summer's evening

Our July Clifton WI 'meeting' was a group of us meeting for a stroll across the Durdham Downs to see the Bronze Lions installed to support the Born Free Forever charity.  We chatted and some of us adjourned to a local pub to chat some more.  It was a lovely evening and good to have time to get to know a couple of new members who have joined us (and they us).  

Simple pleasures but so special to be able to do these things after our restricted life styles in the last couple of years.

Born Free Lions on Downs in Bristol before one was sadly 'liberated'

July our walk and talk with some refreshments at the conclusion

 A bit of a 'heads up' for what we will be doing next month.

Instead of meeting in the Alma Hall we will be getting outside for a walk and chat with a pause for some 'refreshments' at the end.

Wed 27th July Monthly Meeting Summer Walk 

Meet on the Downs at the café near the Water Tower at 7.00 p.m. for a walk (at a stroll pace rather than a hike).

We will aim to finish at the Kings Arms Pub, Blackboy Hill by 8.30 p.m. If you prefer you can come and join us there.

If wet on the day, an e-mail will be sent to members with an alternative plan.  Look forward to seeing as many of our members as possible

June Meeting Weds 29th - anyone for some mental well being?

With Andy Workman, Mindset Specialist 

Using a humorous but informative approach showing you how to improve your mental wellbeing.

A 'Jubbly" Time for All

 In a red white and blue kind of way Clifton WI members gathered for an indoor picnic to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in advance of the big day at our May meeting.  Quizzes, games remembering previous anniversaries involving the Royal Family and of course lots to eat and drink.

Cutting the party cake and getting ready to raise a toast

Pinning the jewel on the crown

It was lovely to see so many members and have a chance to get together and celebrate

May meeting - Indoor Garden Party and celebration - 25th May

 2022 is the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.  

At Clifton WI we have decided to mark the Platinum Jubilee (or Jubbly!) with a party.  

All members are invited to come along for games, reminiscences, a chance to raise a toast and enjoy party food together. 

8.00pm start (or a little earlier if you would like to help us set up)

We will have a quiz, plant stall, some suitably royal themed games and a memorabilia 'show and tell'

Members are welcome to invite visitors to join us.  

It would be helpful if you could let us know (thecliftonwi@gmail.com) in advance to ensure we have enough food and drink to share.  We will charge the usual £5.00 visitor attendance rate but the evening is free for members.  

What do you have to do?

Wear something in red 🔴, white ⚪and blue 🔵if possible.  If you run to a hat 👒and handbag 👜for a bit of fun all the better!

Bring your memorabilia

If you have anything linked to previous royal anniversaries you would be happy to show us, please bring it to the meeting perhaps with an explanation of how you came to own it

Donate and/or buy some plants or seedlings 🌱🌿🌼🌹

We will be running a plant stall and any donations for the stall will be appreciated on the evening.  Please bring some change for your purchases and a suitable bag to take home your goodies

Bring your Bar Cash Cards and some loose change for our fundraising

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Weds May 25th at Alma Hall

April meeting - Climate Change with Nikki Jones - some further information

 Nikki came to our April meeting and provided some interesting if rather troubling details about the challenge we all face with climate change and its impact on the world's environment.  Ironically in a chilly hall we all had a chance to ask Nikki lots of questions.  She has since forwarded some suggested further resources:

For those with a Netflix subscription the programme Breaking Boundaries hosted by David Attenborough is recommended 

On U Tube a webinar from Australia was recommended: Climate Change - how worried should we be?

Closer to home the West Bristol Climate Action Group is a helpful resource with lots of information leaflets and links to local organisations and businesses providing services aimed at reducing our individual climate 'footprint'

March meeting review and what's in store for April?

 March

One of our own members Gill Bridge treated us to an evening of wellness and relaxation including breathing techniques, face, neck and hand massages which went down very well along with the chance to try some products from Temple Spa.

April

We turn our attention towards two things in particular at our meeting on Weds April 27th - one is huge and somewhat daunting and one is more light hearted and fun.

Our speaker will be Nikki Jones from Wicked Weather Watch a charity set up by the explorer David Hempleman-Adams which works with school aged children on the topic of climate change.  

As Nikki says “Climate change is the defining issue of our time. Being able to really engage and inspire younger children to take action, however small, is not only vital, it is also so much fun!”

We want to confirm our plans to mark the Platinum Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II.  We will be holding an Indoor Garden Party at our May 25th meeting.  The Committee have taken some steps to arrange a party but would always welcome some more great ideas from our members.

Any budding gardeners out there....?  

If you are currently sewing seeds, taking cuttings, dividing plants or generally getting busy with matters green: please could you keep some extras on one side for the May 25th meeting.  There will be a plant stall as our fundraising event and all donations will be welcome.  Anyone wanting to purchase plants seedlings etc please being your loose change and a plastic bag or two to grab a bargain!

Queens Jubilee Celebration - any ideas for how we could celebrate? 👑

 This summer sees the platinum anniversary of the Queen's reign.  A lot has happened since 1952 and the committee would really welcome your ideas for how we could mark the occasion.  Drop us an email thecliftonwi@gmail.com or chat to one of us at the March meeting.  We have partied well on previous occasions so we are sure we can come up with something good this time! 

  👑  👑  👑  👑   🎉🎉🎉🎉🎂🎂🎂

Feb Meeting review and what's coming up in March?

 Again a small and select group gathered to meet Alyson Hurst of Hives and Herbals on a chilly evening in February.  Alyson's enthusiasm was infectious and she had lot of questions from us as well as beeswax, honey and propolis to purchase.  We tried out our new COVID sensitive seating plan which seemed to work well.  Unfortunately we had to remain in our coats due to a heating problem but we have the solution for that should it recur. Thanks to all for coping with the discomfort.

On March 30th our meeting involves one of our own members as our speaker.  Gill Bridge will be talking about skin care and we will have a bit of a pampering session.  Temple Spa

Do you know anyone who is curious about Clifton WI?

Visitors are welcome at any of our meetings but we have a big invitation out there to all members to see if a friend or family member would like to come along to our March meeting and see what we get up to.  All visitors will be offered a free drink as part of their attendance which costs £5.00 on the evening.  It would be lovely to see as many as possible

March is also the final opportunity to rejoin Clifton WI as the new year starts in April.  Please can anyone still to pay their subscription look out for the email in their inbox sent on 11th March or come along ready to pay at the March meeting.  BACS payments are preferred but of course we can accept cheque payment.

February Meeting Bees and Re-gifting

 We look forward to seeing you at our February meeting where we will have a presentation on Bees from Alyson Hurst + a fundraising stall where any duplicate, surplus or otherwise unsuitable gifts you may have received can be donated.  

We have a charity in mind to donate to in 2022 that supports local women living precarious lives in their personal needs

We can also process subs for 2022 at the February meeting so please let us know if you have made a BACS transfer and give us your completed Membership Form or give us your cheque payments with Membership Form.

**Please Note** 

In March we are encouraging all members to invite a friend or family member who might like to see what we get up to at our WI meetings

We will have a promotion to make them feel extra welcome and a Wellness Pamper with Temple Spa and our own Gil Bridge who is one of our own members

January meeting and first look at resolutions for 2022

 At our January meeting a small group of Clifton WI members had a good opportunity to meet and chat after the festive break. They also looked at the resolutions together.  

The 5 resolutions shortlisted by the NFWI are:

1. Fit for Purpose – Fit for Girls
2. Appropriate Sentencing of Non-Violent Women Offenders
3. Equality in Law for the Menopause
4. Women and Girls with ASD and ADHD Under-Identified, Under-Diagnosed and Under-Supported
5. Tackling Digital Exclusion

Resolution 2 on sentencing for non violent women offenders received the most support from the Clifton WI members at the January meeting.

Fundraising ideas for our next few meetings

 ** Wherever possible, please bring change and small denomination cash to our meetings to purchase goodies, take part in our fund raising or make a donation for refreshments**

🎂🍷☕

**Each meeting we offer refreshments and home made cake for a very modest donation**

February meeting - we will have our 'regifting' sale so please bring any duplicate or unwanted gifts to be sold and raise funds for a local women's health charity 🎁

March meeting - Bring A Friend 👭👭👭👭👭

Members are welcome to bring friends as visitors to any of our meetings in Alma Hall.  This month we are hoping to introduce a number of visitors to Clifton WI with a promotion and excellent presentation from one of our own members Gill Bridge 💅💆👄

April meeting - raffle for Clifton WI 🎫

May meeting - any gardeners with seedlings, cuttings or spare plants are invited to bring them along

🌱🌱🌱🌱

26th January monthly meeting - The realities of fostering and Resolutions

 Leona Blenman from Capstones  Fostercare will join us this month to explain what is happening in the world of fostering at this time. It is likely to be an interesting and thought provoking session to start our new year of meetings.

Resolutions

Each year the WI follows a democratic process to adopt resolutions focussed on women and girls. The first step is for each branch or group to decide which to support

The WI Life Magazine which is sent to current members has details of the proposed resolutions for 2022.  There are more details about each available.  We will vote for our preferred resolution and forward this to join other local groups and then the national view.

COVID 

We are also going to try a new layout of our seating in the Alma Hall to ensure we reduce risks associated from COVID and leave more doors open or ajar for ventilation.  Please let any of the committee know what you think about these changes or any other suggestions to make us as safe as possible.

Many thanks

2022 speakers for January, February and March

 

An excellent way to finish our WI year - belly dancing, quizzes and pizza

 As 2021 drew to a close the final meeting for Clifton WI involved an excellent session of learning to belly dance, or as it was described to us - Eastern dancing - with Pat Wright.  We had lots of fun and there are some pictures in our gallery of our attempts. Colourful and enthusiastic probably sums us up!

December is our annual party.  This year we went to Rustica on Whiteladies Road for an evening of chat, quizzes hosted by Victoria, pizza of many types and plentiful supply plus of course the odd glass of Prosecco. An excellent venue and we were made very welcome.  Perhaps a return visit is on the cards for 2022?