The Clifton Women's Institute

WI Markets have a long and distinguished history. They  were started as outlets for surplus produce from members' gardens and smallholdings, and allowed women (and men) to supplement their incomes. The first WI Market took place in Sussex in December 1919!   By 1992 the annual turnover of country Markets was £10m but NFWI, having become a registered charity in 1990, was a 'not for profit' organisation, so in 1995 Markets separated from NFWI, adopting a new name 'WI Country Markets Ltd'. It moved into separate offices and became self financing. In 2004 the use of the WI initials was discontinued but the organisation Country Markets remains a thriving national institution. Our own local arm, Avon Country Markets, has its own separate website   www.avoncountrymarket.co.uk and our nearest market takes place at the Methodist Church Hall, Westbury Hill BS9 3AA every Friday from 10.30am

The NFWI will host its Annual Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 4 June 2015 from 10.30am to 5pm, with a 90 minute interval at lunch time. "In celebration of the WI's centenary, the event will be streamed live via the internet in order that members can arrange their own celebrations to watch the proceedings. The online broadcast will be available on  YouTube  and on a dedicated centenary website - for further details and a link to the dedicated website, see http://www.thewi.org.uk/centenary/nfwi-annual-meeting . "We are truly honoured to be welcoming HRH The Princess Royal and HM The Queen to this year's very special meeting.  HRH The Princess Royal is a long-standing NFWI Associate, and HM The Queen is President of Sandringham WI, and we are so thrilled that both are able to attend the meeting.  "We have truly inspirational line up with three confirmed speakers:  Lucy Worsley , English historian, curator and television presenter on history;...

It's a big year for Bristol as European Green Capital of 2015.  Come and hear how we can all bring sustainability into our daily lives and learn what Sustainable Redland is all about. See details over on the "Next Meeting" page. Rather than a raffle our fundraising this month will be on a recycling theme. Please bring small items for a sales table - jewellery, books, CDs/DVDs, accessories, seedlings ... anything you think might appeal to fellow members.  

The Bridge Club still has 2 vacancies & would welcome any new members who have played just a little but aren’t serious players. We meet on Wednesdays at 7.30-9.30pm, except on WI nights, at our houses. We have a tutor who helps us & it is all free of charge. For details email Eli on  elinorwhitaker @blueyonder.co.uk

The board games group continues to meet fortnightly and Eli invites anybody to drop in:- "The Game Birds will be meeting next on Tuesday 28 April at 2.00-3.45pm to learn ‘Pass the Pigs’ & then on 12 May to learn ‘Sequence’. We meet fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons in the Alma Tavern, Alma Rd & anyone who is free can just turn up & join us for a drink & game."

The UK’s largest urban walking festival is taking place in Bristol for the third year in a row from Friday 1 st  to Sunday 31 st  May. Following its success in previous years, the festival is now a month-long event with over 160 walks from over 80 organisations. The programme offers a great  opportunity to explore Bristol, meet new people, learn something new and enjoy some fresh air and exercise. The walks cover nature, history, architecture, wellbeing, families and much more. All walks have easy-to-follow grading and descriptions, with most offered free of charge.  Eileen Bartlett will be bringing copies of the Walks Fest programme to hand out at our April meeting.   Programmes are also available from your local library, tourist information centre and online at www.bristolwalkingfestival.co.uk  www.bristolwalkingfestival.co. uk .   So please join in - the routes are designed to give you the chance to explore Bristol in a whol...

Four Clifton WI members will be proudly exhibiting their winning entries at the M Shed in September after winning gold awards at the Centenary Arts & Crafts competition. Sue, Lorna and Heather won gold for their paintings and Patsy earned a gold in the photography class. Ruth won 2 bronze awards in calligraphy and painting, Sue and Heather each won a further bronze for a second painting and Patsy was also awarded a bronze for another photographic entry. Altogether Clifton won 11 out of the 36 awards for DDG group. Well done everybody!