The Clifton Women's Institute

To mark the centenary of the WI, the "best of the best" arts and crafts created by Avon Federation members will be shown at a special public exhibition at the M Shed next autumn. This is a highly prestigious event and exhibits will be selected from amongst winners of Group Competitions in the early spring. Durdham Downs Group Arts and Crafts Competition will take place in late March and entries need to be booked with Lorna, Durdham Downs Group Secretary, by the end of December (not January as previously advertised). Please support Clifton WI and the Durdham Downs Group - you're sure to find something that appeals as there are classes for drawing, painting and photography, all manner of needlecrafts including patchwork and embroidery, enamelling and beadwork, decorated eggs ... for a schedule please contact thecliftonwi@gmail.com or see Lorna at the Christmas party.

Another very happy member has recently returned from a wonderful course at Denman – Talking Proper: Is English really going to the dogs? The answer? Not necessarily, but it's adjusting to the needs of its users as it has done since our grunts became more specific! Tutor Jackie Wilkes, a recently retired university lecturer in linguistics, was awesome and funny with it. Denman are currently offering seasonal discounts on bookings for courses in December. What fires you up? There's sure to be a course on it at Denman! Please let us know if you've been to Denman this year or last year - we've been asked to report numbers attending from Clifton WI. You'll find a feedback book on the desk at every WI meeting so please note any Denman visits in it.

Fellow Durdham Downs Group members Brislington WI invite everybody to their lovely Christmas Fair. There will be all manner of gifts and treats made by local producers, so you're bound to be able to tick a few things off your list!

Our Christmas party will be quite different this year - on Wednesday 17 December we'll be having a fun evening at the Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, with skittles and a Christmas buffet supper in their newly refurbished skittle alley. Tickets are £10 and MUST be booked in advance - see Lorna at the next WI meeting on 26 November, or if you can't make the meeting email thecliftonwi@gmail.com to make sure of your ticket.