The Clifton Women's Institute

Hopefully all members will have been prompted by the bursary draw to look at the Denman website or brochure to see what's on offer at the WI's own residential college. For those who haven't yet visited Denman College, the majority of the accommodation is in small modern blocks in the grounds, and each room is extremely comfortable and spacious. There are also a few rooms available in the historic manor house itself, and most of these are enormous with lovely views of the acres of grounds. The food is excellent, too, with three cooked meals a day (plus continental breakfast and salad options for the weight-conscious) and in addition there's a full bar. The two Denman Bursaries were won by Victoria Newhouse and Barbara Quin, neither of whom have yet experienced Denman so they have a treat in store. Congratulations to both of you!

We are delighted to announce that "Lady Denman" will be attending the next meeting of Clifton WI on Wednesday 24 February. Her Ladyship has graciously agreed to draw the two winning entries in the Denman Bursary Draw. For details of how to enter, scroll down this blog page. All current and recent members, and recent visitors, will have the entry form emailed to them within the next week or so.

Lorna Tarr, our lovely secretary, is spreading her wings in the wider WI and as well as her role as secretary of the Durdham Downs Group, to which she's just been re-elected for the next two years, she is joining the Membership Support team at AFWI and also training as a WI Adviser. These are important roles and we are delighted that Lorna has become involved "further up the line" at Federation level - who knows where this may lead? ;-D Lorna will of course be continuing as a member of Clifton WI but is looking to hand over to a new secretary. She will explain the Secretary's duties, which are important but not complicated, and she'll still be there to hold your hand and guide you while you settle in, so who's up for the opportunity to contribute to the running of Clifton WI? An evening committee meeting is held early in each month - the day of the week varies and is set by common consent. Meetings are lively and friendly, and aim to finish by 9pm, and the

Denman College is the WI's own education centre, running short residential courses on every subject under the sun. If you're a new member, you really need to know about Denman, so click on the tab above and start exploring. Clifton WI has not one but TWO Denman bursaries on offer, one for £150 and the other for £100, which will be awarded by draw at the end of our February meeting. To enter, you need to complete a short form and submit it with a fee of £2. All recent and current members, and recent visitors, will receive the usual email a week or so before the February meeting with the form attached, together with the full conditions for entry. You'll need to tell us which course you might choose if you're a lucky winner, so why not start browsing the courses now and whet your appetite! You may enter as many times as you like - AS LONG AS YOU'RE A FULLY PAID UP MEMBER OF CLIFTON WI! If you can't make the February meeting you'll need to get a friend to b

Clifton WI extend a very warm welcome to all members and visitors, and particularly our new members for 2016. We hope you will quickly make new friends and feel at home in the WI community. Please do make use of the website! You'll find lots of useful and interesting information and links. We look forward to welcoming more new and renewing members at our February meeting and we also hope to be saying hello to several more visitors who expressed an interest and took leaflets at the Royal York Gardens Christmas Fayre. Visitors may attend any WI branch meeting up to three times a year, by which time we hope they will have decided to join! Whether you are renewing or joining for the first time, it is hugely helpful to us all if you will print out and complete the membership form in advance, and bring it - preferably with a cheque, please, but cash if that's not possible - to the meeting. (Unfortunately the NFWI does not yet support online payments, but they're working on