Dates for the Diary - December 2010

Hello Ladies

I am sending out this Dates for the diary email containing everything we mentioned at our last meeting and all other new items of interest that have come in since which we thought you might be interested in.

We ask you to check the blogspot & website regularly to see if there are any further updates rather than bombard you with emails in the run up to Christmas.

Blogspot address is londonwestendwi.blogspot.com/

Website address is http://www.londonwestendwi.co.uk/

Email address is londonwestendwi@gmail.com

London Westend Women's Institute

See you on Tuesday December 21st at our final WI meeting for 2010

NB Membership renewals for most of us will be due again in Jan 2011

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National Gallery Christmas Shopping evening
At National Gallery - 19th & 26th Nov in Sainsbury Wing
There will be chocolate tasting and mince pies etc
Starts at 6:30

Laughter Yoga opportunity with Carrie 27th November
Lighten up your life with 60 Minutes of Laughter Yoga, no sense of humour or jokes needed. Relax & unwind and reenergise.
10.30 to 11.30am @ Dermalogica, 7 Lancer Sq, Kensington Church st.
No charge
Bring blanket, mat or towel to lie down on, wear loose comfortable clothing
Pre-booking essential phone or text 07789954972 with your name and the date you want to come to

Thanks
Carrie

Soho Theatre trip to see Ronna & Beverly on Thurs 16th Dec 2010
Pls email Dianamath@googlemail.com or contact her on 07952 579059 if you wish to attend
Tickets cost £10

Curwen Gallery Nov 27th & 28th
Curwen Gallery on Windmill Street, WC1E just off Tottenham Court Road are having a fundraising weekend in aid of Macmillan on 27th and 28th November 11am until 6pm.
Prices for pieces from £15

Curwen have also offered to let us have a rummage evening through their bins at a discount. No date for this has been agreed as yet so watch this space.

www.curwengallery.com

Don Giovanni at the ENO
ENO are showing Don Giovanni at the Coliseum on St Martin's Lane

Cultureseekers
Message From: Robert Coleman - London Cultureseekers Group
Telephone: 07905 901 834
Email Address: robert@cultureseekers.org
Comments:
Dear LWWI,
I run a group in London called the London Cultureseekers Group and i wondered if your W.I group might be interested in getting involved?

http://www.cultureseekers.org/

We meet up most weekends to explore London's fantastic history and culture through it's museums, art galleries, historical buildings, go on guided walks and go to the theatre.

The group has over 3000 members, from 25 - 75 years old and we have been running over 4 years.

Membership fee is £12 and if you join now your membership will not expire until December 2011.

We are a very friendly group and it's a fantastic way to explore London whilst making new friends.

Regards

Robert Coleman
Organiser
London Cultureseekers Group


London Bee Summit - 16th December
Bees are in peril and there are a number of suspects, from pesticides to climate change. With human wellbeing so intimately tied to the fate of the bee, we are calling together organisations working with bees in London and the UK to ask: what’s happening to the honey bee? And what can Londoners to do help?

We'll have the inaugural London Honey Tasting, a display of hives and equipment, and refreshments courtesy of the Co-op's Plan Bee.

Speakers include:

Environment minister Lord Henley
Dr Opi Outhwaite from Greenwich University on bee health and regulation;
Nick Fraser from the National Trust on managing parks and gardens without chemicals; and
Elinor McDowall from Bungay Community Bees, the UK's first community-supported beekeeping.

Registration is essential and there's a discount for Capital Growth spaces. Find more information and the booking form at: www.capitalbee.org

Hansel & Gretel
Kate is going to try to reschedule our trip to ROH for Hansel and Gretel further details to follow.


Food Hygiene Course - Feb 2010
Food Hygiene course will be run on Feb 5th

Funny Women Challenge

Funny Women are challenging five prominent business women – Julie Hall, Karen Darby, Claire Pelenc, Mel Burgess and Nora Berge - to perform three minutes of stand up comedy for the first time to a paying audience. The event will raise awareness and funds for locally based charity, The New Victoria Medical Foundation, and takes place in the luxurious surroundings of The Bingham, boutique hotel and restaurant. Each act will be asking friends and contacts to sponsor them. Hosting the show will be television presenter and Richmond resident, Gabby Logan who is also in training to tell a few jokes and a few funny anecdotes about her life with the BBC sports presenting team. Each woman performing will have been mentored for her performance by the Funny Women team and a few of their favourite comedy acts.

Ticket price is £35, which includes good wine and delicious canapés. To book on-line visit www.funnywomen.com/tickets or call 020 8948 4444.

Jacqui from Neals Yard who is coming to talk to us at our December meeting - December 21st 2010 sent us the following link about her and her products

https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/JacquelineTodd

Love shopping on line. Free delivery until end of November. Just log in and shop. Payment by credit card. Some great gifts on offer or just treat yourself....


YOUNG & MADE IN CAMDEN
We invite you to the Launch Evening of our festive boutique pop-up shop in Leather Lane EC1 – see attached for full details and also daytime opening hours. Come and grab some beautifully crafted Christmas bargains! We look forward to seeing you there.

Festive boutique & exhibition
56-58 Leather Lane, London, EC1N 7TP

For three days only, come and explore our festive boutique in the busy thoroughfare of
Leather Lane. Show your support to young designer makers of the future, by purchasing a
unique ‘one off’ Christmas gift or treat!

Opening times

1st Dec 12 - 3pm & 5:30 - 8pm (Launch Party)
2nd Dec 12 - 3pm
3rd Dec 12 - 3pm

Launch Party

5:30 - 8pm free entry
Meet the young designers and volunteers at our launch celebration and community
exhibition. As well as take part in our one night only auction of selected art works.
Enjoy light refreshments, performances, children’s animation screenings and
interactive arts workshops.

Workshops for young people held at the boutique

2nd December 5.30 -7.30pm (free)
Screen Printing - Design and print a t-shirt or canvas bag

3rd December 5.30 -7.30pm (free)
Night Photography - Explore the wonder of Flash & Long Exposure Photography!!!

For more information contact teanne.andrews@1a-arts-etc.co.uk or call 020 7837 3332

Dates for the Diary - Nov 2010

Hello Ladies

Just thought we would pass on the various WI, Community, Charity and Christmas things we have been approached with since we last contacted you.

November WI meeting - AGM and Cider tasting
Hello!

It's that time of year again already! On Tuesday the 16th we'll be having our AGM, complete with our annual review and vote for official positions. If you’re interested in running for a position or would like to join the committee, please feel free to drop us an email at londonwestendwi@googlemail.com – we’d be happy to tell you more about the responsibilities involved.

To liven up the official procedures, we’ll also be enjoying a cider tasting, after which you’ll know your dry perrys from your scrumpies!


December 2010 - Christmas celebration and Neal's Yard talk about herbal remedies.
We have managed to line up a talk and hopefully some free samples from Jacqui a herbalist based in Neal's yard who would like to come and talk to us in December.
We hope to have her speak for 30-40mins and then we plan to celebrate Christmas together after.
Pls do bring along any food/wine/juice etc that you would like to share with the group.

Jan 2011 - Large Hadron Collider talk with Professor Butterworth
Come along all of you who are interested in pure physics and quantum theory. Understand how the universe was formed. Come with an open mind and lots of questions.

My scientific adviser described it to me as an opportunity to "Understand how things are put together at a sub atomic level."

LWWI have had their resolution proposal, submitted in July, regarding the media portrayal of positive body images accepted by Surrey. Further detais available from Carrie, Georgia or Lynne Parker. If you would like to join the campaigning committee pls approach one of the above.

Ikea Trip Thursday 25th Nov
Another free coach trip for those of us who live without cars in the Covent Garden, Bloomsbury area.

Leave from outside Majestic Wine on Drury Lane, Covent Garden at 10am on Thursday the 25th of November, spend time at IKEA, load your shopping into the big luggage spaces under the coach and leave IKEA at 3pm to return to Drury Lane by around 4pm.

The coach can carry big flat pack furniture.

If you, or your neighbour or your family would like to go on this trip call Suzie Herschelle on 020 7240 1738 or her mobile: 07944 544 733 or email her on: suzie@millimeep.co.uk to let her know how many places you need.


Last Opportunity to enter WI Jam Festival - Deadline for jam entries is 20th November
Last plug for the WI Real Jam Festival. www.thewirealjamfestival.com/

LWWI Royal Opera House Trip to see Hansel and Gretel December 28th
Pls contact lwwi and confirm if you would like to attend. Ideally Kate would like you to bring the money for your tickets to the November meeting so she has a firm idea of numbers. Ticket price should be circa £20

Food Hygiene Course postponed to Feb 2011.
Due to circumstances beyond our control we have had to postpone our planned Food Hygiene Certificate course which we had hoped to run in November 2010 but will now run in Feb 2011.
Pls do think about doing this as it is so useful. Lots of time to sign up now. Course should still be £30.

British Museum visit to see the Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead
The trip on Sunday to the the Ancient Egyptian Book of the dead was super. Even though we had a lower than anticipated attendance at the event it was fascinating. We shared our spare tickets within the community. We practically had the whole exhibition to ourselves so much nicer than even the special members only events. And we saw it first folks before the press, BM Members and the general public.

There might be another community date in November I think on the 25th or 27th if anyone else is interested in seeing the exhibition but was unable to make Sunday Oct 31st pls email lwwi and we will make enquiries from the BM to see if we can go again. No promises though ;-) I think tickets to this event are normally £8-£12 but on the special community events they are complimentary.

OTHER THINGS OF NOTE:

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is being shown at the Natural History Museum from October 2010 until early March 2011.
More details at www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto

For the crafters & bakers amongst our WI, Kirstie's Home made home returns to Channel Four Tuesday evenings at 8PM. Further details available on Channel 4 website I am sure.

London Children's Film Festival - Barbican - Oct 30th until Nov 7th 2010
Further details at lcff.org.uk

Turner Prize is on at the Tate Britain until Jan 3rd 2011
www.tate.org.uk

The Voices of The WI album - by The Harmonies - is in the shops from Monday 25 October 2010!
The Harmonies’ spectacular debut album – The Voices of the WI – features a new contemporary arrangement of Jerusalem and all-time favourites including:

* Wonderful World
* When I Fall in Love
* You've Got A Friend
* Imagine
* Annie's Song
* Dream a Little Dream
* Wild Mountain Thyme
* Smile
* Reach Out and Touch
* Teach Your Children Well

PLUS several stunning new original pop songs, all in the unique style of The Harmonies, winners of ‘Search for Stars of the WI’ 2010.

CIY: Craft it Yourself
A fun programme of events to satisfy your crafty urges this Winter @ Craft Central, Oct-Dec 2010 http://www.craftcentral.org.uk/craft-it-yourself
Book online now! http://craftcentralbookings.org.uk/programme/public-events

Cost: All CIY workshops cost an affordable £19.99 (including materials and complimentary wine) Book online! http://craftcentralbookings.org.uk/programme/public-events
Venue: Craft Central, 33-35 St John’s Square, London EC1M 4DS

Our enjoyable programme of Craft It Yourself workshops offers the chance for anyone to take part in craft - discover the relevance (and fun) of craft and design!

Whether you’re already an expert, or fancy trying something new, come and satisfy your crafty urges at the CIY workshops led by designers. From sharpening up your sewing skills with creating gorgeous handbags from vintage fabrics, to millinery and crafty tips to decorate your home for the festive season, this is an informal opportunity to learn from the experts and have a bit of ‘making’ fun! No experience required!

Join us this winter for the following CIY workshops...

Craft It Yourself: Hat Party! Make a Fascinator with Katherine Elizabeth http://www.katherineelizabethhats.com/ on Mon 1 Nov at 6pm
Craft It Yourself: Make a Luxury Christmas Accessory with Minnie Bats Design http://minniebats.com/ on Mon 8 Nov at 6pm
Craft It Yourself: Make a Handbag with Emily Jo Gibbs http://www.emilyjogibbs.co.uk/ on Mon 15 Nov at 6pm
Craft It Yourself: Make Jewellery with Frilly by Lily http://www.frillybylily.co.uk/ on Wed 8 Dec at 6pm

More information can be found attached and on our website http://www.craftcentral.org.uk/craft-it-yourself . Book online now! http://craftcentralbookings.org.uk/programme/public-events

Best wishes
Sarah

Sarah Hewett
Events and Professional Development Manager
Craft Central
33-35 St John's Square
London
EC1M 4DS

02072510276

sarah.hewett@craftcentral.org.uk
www.craftcentral.org.uk

Volunteering at Guide Dogs
Pippa Block wrote to us LWWI earlier in October with the following message we thought some of you who live or work locally might be interested in:

Hi,
I hope you don't mind me emailing you. I found your details on your
website.

I work in the volunteering department at Guide Dogs. We are currently
looking for volunteers to help the district team based in Euston and
wondered whether any of your members might be interested in helping us.
The district team, made up of Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, carry out
the advanced stages of training with the dogs and match the dogs to
their new owners. They have dogs in the office during normal office
hours (9 - 5ish) and then the dogs stay with volunteer boarders in the
evenings and at weekends.

We are looking for volunteers to help out our volunteer boarders by
collecting the dogs from their homes in the morning and dropping them
off at the Euston office between 8 am and 9am. We are then also looking
for volunteers to come into the office around 5pm and groom the dogs for
an hour or so before dropping them back at the boarders homes. These
volunteers would be able to use our vehicles. Most of the volunteer
boarders live around the Euston or Camden area so the role would suit
someone that lived not far from that area. We would ideally like around
4 volunteers in total for the morning and afternoon driving shifts. We
feel it would be beneficial to do the shifts in pairs on a rota basis.

We would love to talk to you and your members more about these
volunteering roles. Myself and one of the mobility instructors would be
more than happy to come along to one of your meetings (with a dog!) to
talk a bit more about what we do and about the volunteering
opportunities on offer.

My contact details are below so please feel free to get in touch.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Pippa Block
Regional Volunteering Advisor (South & East)
Tel: 0118 9830167
Mob. 07920285750

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association,Walkden House, First Floor, 10 Melton Street, London, NW1 2EB

To find out about volunteer opportunities across the region call 0845 371 7771

Get dining for Guide Dogs! To find out more, go to www.guidedogs.org.uk/gettogether

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Registered Office: Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3YG. A company limited by
guarantee registered in England and Wales (291646) and a charity registered in England and Wales
(209617) and Scotland (SC038979).

Tel: 0118 9835555 Website: www.guidedogs.org.uk Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk

A Star for Christmas’ carol concert in support of Age UK in Euston Dec 9th.
This email came in from Sara.Westrop@ageuk.org.uk advising us of the
next community based event which we thought some people might be interested in was

Her message read:
I was wondering if your members would be interested in hearing about our festive ‘A Star for Christmas’ carol concert in support of Age UK. It takes place on Thursday 9th December at St Pancras Parish Church, Euston Road from 6.30pm. We would love you to join us for an evening of Christmas cheer whilst we celebrate our achievements throughout 2010.

This year we have a host of entertainment and celebrities for you to enjoy as well as the traditional carols to get you in the festive mood. We have an early bird offer on tickets running until the 5th November costing £10 instead of £20. The price of your ticket includes refreshments after the concert.

This winter, Age UK and our partners will provide advice, support and practical services to reach over 350,000 older people who desperately need our help to keep warm, healthy and stay in touch. By joining us for this Christmas celebration you will not only enjoy a fantastic evening of entertainment, but also be reaching out to thousands of lonely older people.

You can book tickets by calling the events team on 020 7239 1922.

With kind regards,
Sara Westrop
Events Fundraising Co-ordinator
Sara.Westrop@ageuk.org.uk

02072391922

LadyFest10
Lux Chell (no I am not making up her name contacted us and a number of our WI sisters from fellow London branches to advise us of LadyFest which is happening in North London in a few weeks time.
Full details at www.ladyfestten.com

Lux's message read:

Hi Everyone,

We're in the final push before Ladyfest 10 and we need your help. We want to get our venues looking as lovely as possible and for that, we'd love some bunting. Funds and time are in short supply so we're asking you, the crafty ladies of London, to help us out. We'd really appreciate it if you could donate us some bunting with any materials you have to hand. Feel free to get creative- you could spell out the name of your group, or inspirational words and pictures. I've attached a pattern you could follow if you want to. The only limitation is that it's ready by November 11th. Short notice, I know, but it's so simple and we know that you can represent. Give us a heads up and we'll be round to pick up your bunting whenever it's ready, and please pass this info on to whoever you think might be interested.

From myself and on behalf of Ladyfest 10, thank you so much for helping us out.
Yours, Lux Chell
abritontheside@gmail.com

British Red Cross
Final community/fundraising request has come in from the British Red Cross's Naomi Kibrit


Her message read:

I am emailing on behalf of the British Red Cross London Fundraising Team to introduce myself as your local contact. I am a Senior Community Fundraiser based in the City of London but covering fundraising activities across the whole of London - broadly speaking within the M25 boundaries.

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global network of volunteers, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when a crisis is over, we help people to recover and move on with their lives.

In local communities throughout the UK including here in London, the Red Cross is there. We provide life saving first aid training, care for people returning home from hospital when there is no one else to turn to, support refugees fleeing conflict and are ready to respond to emergencies 365 days a year.

As a fundraising team we organise various fundraising events within central London to raise money for our work at home and overseas - such as Abseils, Wine Tasting events, Christmas Markets (one held at Guildhall in the city and one at Kensington Town Hall), Disaster Response Challenge weekends, and annual fundraising collections (namely during our Red Cross Week in May).

Local centres also organise and support local events where they can, along with running local services in their communities. On top of this we have a fantastic (and ever-growing) base of supporters and organisations who organise weird and wonderful fundraising events on our behalf - such as a local quiz night or disco, through to a personal sponsorship challenge or private collection.

I would really like the opportunity to speak with you a little bit more about how the London West End WI may like to get involved with the British Red Cross either on the phone or face to face at one of your regular meetings. Please do let me know if you would be interested in finding out more information about our work and when would be a convenient time to contact you to discuss this further.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards
Naomi Kibrit
NKibrit@redcross.org.uk

Direct line: 020 7382 4651

British Red Cross, 3rd Floor, 64 London Wall, London, EC2M 5TP
www.redcross.org.uk/events

AGM and Cider Tasting. Nov 16th 2010

Hello!

It's that time of year again already! On Tuesday the 16th we'll be having out AGM, complete with our annual review and vote for official positions. If you’re interested in running for a position or would like to join the committee, please feel free to drop us an email at londonwestendwi@googlemail.com – we’d be happy to tell you more about the responsibilities involved.

To liven up the official procedures, we’ll also be enjoying a cider tasting, after which you’ll know your dry perrys from your scrumpies!

As always we’ll meet at 6.30 in the Upper Vestry Room of St.George’s, entrance on Little Russell Street. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sewing Group is meeting Tuesday November 2nd

The sewing Group is meeting Tuesday November 2nd at Seven Dials Club.

Seven Dials Club is located at 42 Earlham Street just round the corner from the theatre where Chicago is being shown.

Sewing Group will start at 6ish but please do turn up when you and if you can, pls bring along something you are working on on or bring some material and sewing equipment as we have some patterns you might be interested in making use of.

This is a very nice sociable environment and if you don't want to sew but wish to come along you would be most welcome. Drinks and bar food available from the bar at a most reasonable rate.

Would you be interested in participating in sewing a WI community patchwork quilt?

NB We are also hoping to have a quick committee meeting at the same time.

Reminder about visit to British Museum to see Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead Exhibition - 31st October 2010 12:00PM

If you have indicated that you wish to attend this exhibition at the BM, good news Kate has booked the tickets.

If you might like to attend but have not booked tickets as yet then pls do email londonwestendwi@gmail now as we may have a few spare free tickets.

The tickets are timed for 12:00 and we are meeting in the Great hall of the British Museum
Pls come and find us we will have our mobiles with us if you are running late

We will email all of you who have already booked.

Thanks

Theatre trip to see Tales of the Harrow Road - 4th November at Soho Theatre

Diana one our our LWWI members is organising a trip to see Tales of the Harrow Road at the Soho Theatre on November 4th 2010

Tickets will cost £5

If you wish to attend please email londonwestendwi@gmail.com and mark the subjact title
Diana- Theatre trip and we will forward your mail to her. Or Email Diana directly on

Pls do remember to put contact details in so she can respond to you

Enjoy ;-)

Bloomsbury Festival Oct 22nd - 24th

The Bloomsbury festival is on from 22nd until 24th of October 2010

Best visit website www.bloomsburyfestival.org.uk to see all that is occuring during this celebration.

LWWI - October Dates for the Diary

Apologies for the lengthy entry but there is infact quite a lot going on that we wanted to share with you.

Free One day Preview at the British Museum Sunday 31st October
We have been invited by the British Museum to come along to the Museum during the afternoon of Sunday 31st October in order to attend a free preview of the Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead. If you would like to attend this free event on Sunday 31st please email LWWI and we will order the appropriate number of tickets. We need you to decide ideally by the evening of Saturday 16th of October.

Rosemary Anne Sissons is coming to talk to us on Tuesday 19th of October.
She is a Novelist, playwright and script writer.
I enclose for your information a quick blurb about Rosemary from imdb.com.

Rosemary Anne Sisson
Age: 80’s (born in the 1920’s). Novelist and playwright. Lived in Grange Park, North London. Father was Professor Sisson and taught Shakespeare and Eng. Lit at UCL. First Lord Northcliffe professor. (1930’s)

Attended Cheltenahm Ladies College. Civil Service (!) took over the school when war broke out in ’39, so went to Secretarial School to learn shorthand typing and bookkeeping.

Attended UCL to do BA in English. (U.C.L. evacuated to Aberystwyth.) and left after 2 years to join the Womens’ Auxiliary Air Force (WAAFS).

After war went to Cambridge, Newman College, and took M Litt. Moved to Wisconsin in 1949 to lecture in English at the university. Stayed one year. Worked on a ranch as a kitchen help 90 miles from railway station 30 miles from town. Stayed a final week as a dude so she could ride the horses - forbidden for staff. Wrote a western novel based on her experiences – The Killer of Horseman Flats.

Returned to England and lectured at UCL in English for 2 - 3 years, but sacked for overstaying her holiday in Baghdad even though she had arranged a temporary substitute to cover her extra week’s absence.

Father had retired, but then was made first Senior Fellow of the new Shakespeare Institute at Stratford, so RAS lived with her parents and lectured at Birmingham University and became the dramatic critic for the Stratford Herald.

Wrote first play The Queen and the Welshman. Shakespeare Histories performed at Stratford with Michael Redgrave, Anthony Quayle, Richard Burton and this was the sequel.

Performed at the Edinburgh festival and toured – before being produced at the Hammersmith Lyric in 1957 with Edward Woodward and Frank Finlay. Adapted for radio BBC Wales.

Then became writer for Upstairs Downstairs, Six Wives of Henry VIII, Elizabteh R, adaptation of Wind in the Willows, etc.

Worked for Disney and wrote the screenplays for Ride a Wild Pony, Escape from the Dark, Candleshoe and Watcher in the Woods.

Among a number of other plays produced, she wrote a Ghost on Tiptoe with Robert Morley and was nominated by him to become the first woman member of the Dramatist Club, founded in 1909 by, among others, GB Shaw, Somerset Maugham, Arthur Pinero. Her nomination was seconded by W.A. Dartington of the Daily Telegraph. When she became a member two others resigned.

She became the first woman Honorary Secretary and wrote the Centennial History of the Club, sub-titled “You mean the actors don’t make it all up as they go along?”.

Is a member of the Writer’s Guild (a TU for writers, non-political) and has been Chair and President; has about 1000 members. Continues to write e.g. novels, articles, scripts for charity functions, e.g. Joy to the World.

Sewing Circle
Sewing Circle will now be on the first Tuesday of each month at Seven Dials in Covent Garden

Food Hygiene Course
We are trying to organise a Food Hygiene course for November for interested members
We will have further details about this following the final committee meeting for 2009/2010 LWWI committee.
We will try to keep the cost for this down to a minimum
If you would like to gain your food hygiene certificate which is valid for 3 years and allows you to make and sell produce to the public please email LWWI. The cost of doing this course at a college is usally about £60 per person we hope to offer it to you all at no more than £30 at a maximum.

Concessions may be available depending on the number of people who wish to attend.

Final committee meeting for 2009/2010
We hope to have our final committee meeting for 2009/2010 shortly. Committee pls check your email in the next few days for suggested dates for this meeting.
We have some paper work that must be completed before the AGM in November for both Surrey Federation and NFWI
We need to discuss the food hygiene course.
Website
AGM
Whatsonstage renewal
Potential diary events for 2010 and early 2011
AOB

AGM and Cider Tasting for November 2010
AGM and Cider tasting will occur on November 16 2010
We would appreciate as many members as possible attending this meeting
New and potential members pls do come along

Joining the LWWI committee for 2010/2011
If you would like to join the LWWI committee for 2010/2011 please do feel free to put yourself forward.
The commitment from ordinary committee members is minimum. Most of the committee initially joined as ordinary members before taking formal positions.
If you would like to stand for a formal nominated position like secretary, president, treasurer etc please do email LWWI to nominate yourself.
If you are worried about the amount of work involved in taking a position then rest assured you can always job share as Kate and I have for 2009/2010.

National Baking week
National Baking week occurs this month from 18th to 24th of October
See nationalbakingweek.co.uk

Possible Phoenix Gardens Autumn Event
Following the success of Phoenix gardens event in September we raised circa £275 we have potentially been invited to take part in a Autumn event with them. Further details will be available as soon as Kate has them.

Joining LWWI for 2010/2011
Please do not forget that it is currently possible to join LWWI now and your membership will cost £30 and not expire until the end of December 2011. Please see Maggie our treasurer for further details. We are hoping to make it possible for members to pay via paypal if they wish and will have further details about this shortly.
There are certain perks to being a member rather than paying per visit pls see either Claude, Kate or Heather for further details

Hänsel & Gretel at the Royal Opera House
on Tuesday 28th December 2010 at 12.30pm, tickets will be approximately £20 or less and we will start taking bookings soon.
For more information about the production see the Opera House website www.roh.org.uk
Hopefully we will have the means of allowing you to pay via paypal shortly for these tickets.
Pls email Kate via londonwestendwi@gmail.com if you want to attend so she has some idea of numbers and she can let you know the last date by which you have to book.

Wear it Pink Day 29th October - Breast Cancer Campaign
Is Tuesday 29th October
Pls see website www.WearItPink.co.uk

Breast Cancer Campaign uses all wear it pink donations to fund innovative, world-class research throughout the UK and Ireland to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.

The charity currently supports around 106 projects worth £16.3 million in 38 centres across the UK and Ireland.

When you wear it pink you're part of something amazing - finding a cure for breast cancer, by funding some of the world's most promising and innovative research projects.

The money you have raised in the past has helped to fund projects like Dr Ingunn Holen's award-winning research, which found that if two drugs were given in a particular order at specific intervals, breast tumours were almost completely destroyed. This discovery could ultimately lead to improved chances of survival for thousands of women undergoing treatment.

Breast cancer research has made considerable progress over the past two decades and vital work is still underway. Past research has resulted in improvements in quality of life and survival. However, one woman in nine in the UK will be diagnosed during her lifetime. Each research project funded by the charity brings us a step closer to beating breast cancer.

Heather - the President of LWWI is currently climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

If anyone would like to sponsor her the link is below.

http://www.justgiving.com/Heather-Willensky

Heather wrote: On October 1st I will be climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in aid of the National Autistic Society. The National Autistic society champions the rights and interests of all people with autism and aim to provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and services that they can access, trust and rely upon and which can make a positive difference to their lives. Thank you all in advance for all of your donations and support.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Book now for the Funny Women Awards Charity Final

Monday 20th September in support of OBJECT

We’ve done it again! 24 heats around the UK, 350 new acts and now it’s down to the very last 12. The final of this year’s Funny Women Awards takes place on Monday 20th September at the Leicester Square Theatre, one of London’s leading comedy venues.

The show will be hosted by 2007 Funny Women Awards Winner, Andi Osho, now a major breakthrough act with a host of TV credits including the first series of Channel 4's Tonightly, regular appearances on BBC2 panel show, Mock the Week, and the new Friday night show, Stand Up for The Week on Channel 4. Andi will guide 12 of the newest acts through their best five minutes in front of an impressive array of judges from all corners of the comedy industry. Plus a very special guest performance by 2009 winner, Miss London.

The 10 acts through to the final (so far) are: Jessica Fostekew, Sarah Hendrickx, Alison Thea-Skot, Helen Arney, Rachel Parris, Abigoliah Schamaun, Iona Dudley-Ward, Thankless Child (Liz Black & Freya Slipper), Gemma Whelan and Julia Clark.

Tickets: full price £18.00, or £16.50 if you are on this mailing list and receive our regular e-bulletins – quote ‘Funny’ to get your concessionary rate. BOOK NOW or call 0844 847 2475.

Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX.

Doors 7.00 p.m. for show 7.30 p.m.

We've selected OBJECT, an award-winning human rights organisation that addresses the challenging issues of the pornography and sex industries and their increasing normalisation, to benefit from the final of this year's Funny Women Awards.

If you become a fully paid up member of OBJECT there is an even better discount for the final. JOIN HERE now and find out more.

Best wishes from the Funny Women Team.

PLEASE NOTE: your continued support is very important to us and we very much appreciate the opportunity to send you news about our events and those of some of our partners. However, if you no longer wish to receive these updates, please return this email complete with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject bar. Please note that we really do our best to de-list you if unsubscribe is requested, but with limited resources a few of you slip through the net, for which we apologise.

WI

Funny Women Ltd.

St. David's House, 15 Worple Way,

Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 6DG

Office 020 8948 4444 Mobile 07973 470577

www.funnywomen.com

Frozen Food Cookery Day at Denman on Monday 4 October 2010.

Dear all

Please find below details of a Frozen Food Cookery Day at Denman on Monday 4 October 2010. If anyone is interested please see below and contact Denman College direct.

Subject: Frozen Food Cookery Day with chef Serge Nollent and Findus at Denman College - Free Day - Monday 4 Oct 10

Dear All,

Please see the attached information about an exciting free Denman Day, I would be grateful if you could advertise to your members. Please note that applications will only be accepted via post, email or fax (not telephone)

Many thanks

Lynn

l.heffernan@denman.org.uk

Lynn Heffernan
Events and Conference Co-ordinator
Courses Department
Denman College, Marcham, Abingdon, Oxon OX13 6NW
T: 01865 391991 Ext. 237
Fax: 01865 391966

E: info@denman.org.uk
www.theWI.org.uk/college

06 September 2010

Dear Federation Secretary,

Frozen Food Cookery Day with chef Serge Nollent and Findus

Monday 4th October 2010 Denman College, Oxfordshire, Attendance is FREE
Discover the benefits of your freezer with a little help from chef Serge Nollent
and the new Findus Fresher Taste range

A staggering £17bn worth of food sits in our freezers every year, but only a third of this is purchased frozen. The rest is bought fresh and then frozen at home.

So we obviously know how to use our freezers but do we really understand how to freeze food
properly? Do we know the best way to ‘freeze-fresh’? What foods freeze best and what shouldn’t we freeze? What are the ‘rules’ surrounding defrosting? How long can food really stay in the freezer? And how can frozen food help to reduce food waste?

To tell us how, we’ve invited Findus, the experts in frozen food, at Denman College on Monday 4th October. Findus’ head chef, Serge Nollent, will host a unique day where WI members can learn all about the benefits of frozen food.

Serge will talk through the rules of freezing, provide handy hints and tips and host cookery
demonstrations to show you how to create some great tasting recipes that are perfect for freezing. He will also talk through the development of the new, luxury Fresher Taste range from Findus and will challenge you to a blind taste test to see if you can spot the difference between a frozen meal and a fresh one!

Freezing is a great way to reduce food waste and an expert from WRAP (Waste & Resources
Action Programme) will be coming in to talk to members all about how they can do their bit for the environment (and their pockets) by effective use of their freezers.

And finally, we’ve invited a top class sommelier who will provide some fabulous wines to complement Serge’s cooking. Our sommelier will be able to provide top tips on how to match wines to a range of different frozen recipes and will host a mini wine tasting session.

Just make sure you don’t leave without your free, exclusive Findus vouchers so you can try out the new Fresher Taste range with your fellow members and friends!

This is a unique event where we hope even the most expert WI member will gain some invaluable knowledge!

We would be grateful if you would inform your Federation members of this Denman Day. Any
members who would like to attend are asked to complete and return the enclosed application
form or email with the relevant information. Please note that bookings will not be accepted by
phone. Attendance is free and places will be allocated via ballot. The ballot will be drawn on 22nd
September. Attendees are asked to arrive at 10.00am for refreshments in time for a 10.30am start.

The day will finish at 4pm. We appreciate that this is relatively short notice. Please note that we have to work with the marketing schedules of the company concerned. We look forward to seeing some of your members on 4th October.

With best regards,

Head of Programmes

September Dates for Diary

Emma Bridgewater talk 15th September at V&A- Special invite to WI's.

Details: Emma will discuss the iconic British pottery company's 25 years of growth, and its plans for the future.
Date: Wednesday 15 September,
Time:19.00-20.45 (talk 19.00-20.00, wine reception 20.00-20.45) Doors open 18.30
Venue: Held at the V&A, South Kensington, London, SW7 2RL (Please use the side entrance on Exhibition Road)
Cost: tickets are £10 (cash / cheque) - spaces are limited and to reserve a place please email Alex Gibbs at the V&A WI on a.gibbs@vam.ac.uk or call 020 7942 2277

Vicar's inauguration on Tuesday 21st of September.
The vicar of St Georges is having his inauguration / installation on Tuesday 21st which is why we are not meeting on this date.
If you would like to attend pls feel free to attend. Kate/Helena have more details about this.

Tube "Ghost" Tours at Aldwych, 24th to 26th of September.
See where Londoners took refuge from the Blitz, open for 3 days to mark the 70th Anniversary of the 2nd world war air raids.

Tickets available at www.ltmuseum.co.uk

Tours last 45mins

Grace Kelly at the V&A finishes on the 26th of September

Fashion, room 40

£6, £4 concessions (seniors, students, 12-17 year olds, ES40 holders)
Free to V&A Members

The spectacular wardrobe of Grace Kelly is on display at the V&A. Tracing the evolution of her style from her days as one of Hollywoods most popular actresses in the 1950s and as Princess Grace of Monaco, the display presents over 50 of Grace Kelly's outfits together with hats, jewellery and the original Hermès Kelly bag. Dresses from her films, including High Society, are on show as well as the gown she wore to accept her Oscar award in 1955. These are accompanied by film clips and posters, photographs and her Oscar statuette. The display also includes the lace ensemble worn by Grace Kelly for her civil marriage ceremony to Prince Rainier in 1956 and 35 haute couture gowns from the 1960s and 70s by her favourite couturiers Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Yves St Laurent.

Other things of interest this month

• Proms at Royal Albert Hall or Proms in the Park on 11th of September
• Battle of Britain at Royal Festival Hall on 11th of September
• LWWI Sewing Group, Kate will send out details of the date for this

Ladies pls can we take the opportunity to encourage you to seriously consider joining the WI for 2011 (You can join for 2011 from November 2010 so you end up with 14 months membership) as we at LWWI are working on finding even more perks to being a member of LWWI in particular.

Have a good month, pls get in touch if you need anything

Claude & Kate
LWWI Secretaries

August Meeting and other events for your WI diaries for the next month.

Tuesday 17th August 6.30ish – WI Meeting
Upper Vestry Room, St Georges-Bloomsbury
Maggie Gaunt will demonstrate & advise on
“Small arrangements for small places- tricks of the Florist Trade ”
(or how to create a stunning floral masterpiece with supermarket flowers & a bit of cunning )
Pls bring some flowers if you wish to be a bit more hands on during this meeting
Pls also bring some food / juice you would like to share with the group as we might pop outside for part of the meeting if the weather is nice.

If anyone has any receipts left over from Covent Garden that they want to claim money back from please bring the receipts to the meeting on Tuesday.

Tuesday 19th August 10am-5pm - Fruit Picking Trip
The coach will leave outside Majestic Wines in Drury Lane 10am & return there at 5pm. Bring a picnic lunch.
This trip has been organised by the Covent Garden Community Association & is free.
You will just have to pay for the fruit that you pick.
Lots of you came to pesto/jams and curd making in June so why not pick your own fruit and put your new knoweldge into practice. Remember NFWI are running the real jam festival this year.


NB Another trip to IKEA is being planned for later in the year also arranged by Covent Garden Community Association.


Saturday 4th September 12 – 6pm - Phoenix Gardens Fair
This will be our last fund raising cake stall this year so anyone who would like to volunteer to help: baking, jam making or manning the stall – contact Claude or Kate via email address londonwestendwi@gmail.com (please remember to keep any receipts for ingredients if you want to claim them back.)

Hot topics & Resolutions

This has been a year in the planning. Last August we had a talk about campaigning and it touch a chord with our members. Georgia and Carrie worked on resolutions around body image.

At the July 2010 meeting the following resolutions were amended & passed by our members.
It's a hot topic in the news at the moment see the Girl Guide http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10865582 and some well known politicians have picked up the topic too.

We have the agreement of our membership to campaign on these issues which are very much in the media at the moment. We are also putting them resolutions forward for selection by the NFWI ... look out for the opportunity to vote on WI resolutions in the November issue of WI life. If it is successful then our WI will be presenting it at the NFWI conference in Liverpool next June.

If you would like to get involved in the planning to campaign on these issues then please contact Carrie Graham or Georgia Machell via londonwestendwi@googlemail.com.

Resolution 1: Disclosing the use of enhanced images of people in advertising
"This resolution urges the NFWI to use its influence to induce advertisers and media owners to explicitly disclose the use of enhanced or air brushed images"

Resolution 2: Media, body image and health
"This resolution urges HM Government and industry bodies to recognise the negative impact overly idealist and unattainable portrayal of men and women in advertising are having on mental health, particularly body image and self esteem, An ideal response would be a Media Code of Conduct for Body Image."

Resolution 3: Opposing the promotion of rapid weight-loss diet plans
"Whilst we recognise that the maintenance of a healthy weight is essential, this resolution urges the NFWI to oppose the promotion of rapid weight diet plans and also urges HM Government to recognize the long term negative physical and emotional impact of extreme weight loss."

September meeting date change to 14th Sept

The meeting has been moved to Tuesday 14th September because the new Vicar will be installed on our usual 3rd Tuesday (21st Sept) and they need the hall. We are invited to the service on 21st September and have volunteered to make cakes for the event!

So WI members and visitors same time, same place just a one off change to 14th September.

The subject for this meeting is the garden project - we won a grant to create a garden in the courtyard and start off our Beehive on the roof subject to Church agreement. A speaker is coming from the St James Park allotment volunteers.

Tuesday 20th July

Tuesday 20th July 6.30pm start.

This meeting will be about a chaired discussion and voting for our WI to adopt a resolution. What's the issue - The airburshing of photographs in newspapers and magazines, the use of doctored body images that imply perfection and happiness is only obtainable if one looks like this/that. This affects men & women, boys and girls. Carrie (writer of this blog) & Georgia were inspired by our WIs response at a WI Campaigning talk last year and now we'd like to do something about it and it feels like this may be the time to take it into the WI arena for discussion. We would like our WI to adopt a resolution and put forward a resolution to the National Federation of WIs. Come and be part of the conversation on Tuesday - members & non members are welcome though only members will be able to vote on us adopting the resolutions. Please RSVP to the londonwestendwi@googlemail.com to let us know you intend to join us. Members cannot vote unless present!

Lynne Parker of Funny Women will chair a discussion on the issues with the aim of helping us agree and vote on one or more resolutions relating to this. There is a skill to crafting a resolution that can be acted upon so here are 3 that Georgia & I have worked on. We would like to put these forward for discussion and adoption by the London West End WI

This resolution urges HM Government and industry bodies to recognise the negative impact overly idealist and unattainable portrayal of women in advertising are having on mental health, particularly body image and self esteem, An ideal response would be a Media Code of Conduct for Body Image."

"This resolution urges the NFWI uses its influence to induce advertisers to explicitly disclose the use of enhanced or air brushed images"

"This resolution urges the NFWI to stop the promotion of rapid weight loss diets and also urges HM Government to recognize the negative physical and emotional impact rapid weight loss diets have on those who engage with them"

The voting is only open to members. Non members are welcome to join the discussion. We need a two thirds majority of members present for a resolution to be adopted.

If you would like to do some reading or surfing on the subject have a look at the following links
Article in Evening standard on 17th June had some interesting images!
http://www.fmwf.com/taxonomy/lifestyle/2010/06/debenhams-bans-the-airbrush-from-swimwear-ad-campaign-and-lays-bare-all-the-sneaky-tricks-of-the-trade/

Radio 4 Front Row 30th June : Interview with Elle Macpherson about 7 minutes into the programme about her views and involvement in the programme Britain's Next Top Model http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00stcrn

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/digitalAssets/36471_Reportof_the_Media_Code_of_Conduct_Working_Group_on_Body_Image_2007__v2.pdf
http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2010/03/campaign-for-body-confidence.htm
Body Image Summit in 2000 - type in body image and lots of interesting articles/webpages show up here's one http://sydney.edu.au/education_social_work/professional_learning/teachers/2008/body_image_conference.shtml
B-Eat has some good resources http://www.b-eat.co.uk/ProfessionalStudentResources/Studentinformation-1/Effectsofthemedia

Fundraiser for Women@theWell

Laughing & Relief for Hayfever Suffers in Lincolns Inn Fields
nr Holborn Tube Station

Raising funds for Women @ the Well to buy underwear for the women who connect with this charity. It is the simple things that make a difference! Carrie will be leading some events to raise money these sessions are open to members, non members and men.

Laughter & Laughter Yoga in Lincoln's Inn Fields, close to Holborn Tube station on 6.30pm 7th, 14th & 22nd July £8pp conc rate £3pp. Bring a towel or yoga mat to lie down on.

Learn the EFT for Hayfever Recipe Lincoln's Inn Fields 13th July 6.30pm £8pp, £3pp conc. There are also sessions planned in South London - Brockwell, Dulwich & Norwood Parks. Bring a towel or mat to sit on.

To book a place contact Carrie via a text message to 07789954972. Remember to give your name and the date you want to come along.

Date clashes with the football?..... Never fear there is a Wetherspoons just around the corner with lots of screens & atmosphere or stay in the park to escape the football....

Laughing: Please tell your friends and invite them to the laughing, no sense of humour, jokes or special equipment required! A towel or mat to lie down on is very helpful. If there are clashes with the football then the Wetherspoons just around the corner will be available!

EFT... we sold some copies of the recipe at the Covent Garden stall last weekend so if you have hayfever... it's worth a go and probably less expensive than the antihistamines most hayfever sufferers go through in a week!

Would you like to join the WI

This is our fifth year and there is still room for new members. Visitors and new members say we " are very welcoming & friendly" so that may account for our recent growing spurt!

What will it cost you to join the WI? Just £29.50! This will cover your subscription till the end of December 2010. If you join part way through the year then it stills costs £29.50 so join sooner rather than later. Anyone who joins between Oct to Dec gets a few extra months as an incentive.

About half of the subs is given to the National Federation & Surrey Federation - we get the remainder! So come to the next meeting with cash or a cheque and complete a membership form. The NFWI will send you a welcome pack and add you to the mailing list for the WI Life magazine. You'll be entitled to attend the montly meeting, vote on WI resolutions and take part in our events & activities. We think the friendship, networking and meetings are great value so we hope to see you soon.

Kent Fruit Picking - 10th July

Hewitts farm nr Knockholt railway station
Meet 9am at the farm gates

Want to make jam or freeze fruit for other occasions? We are venturing out of the city for an early morning fruit picking session.

Hewitts pick your own farm near Knockholt train station in Kent about 30 mins from Charing Cross. Expect raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, gooseberries plus whatever else is ripe! There are some veggies too. It gets very busy with coach trips by 10.30ish so we are opting for an early start.

Travel - take the 8.15am from Charing Cross...the farm is about 10 to 15 mins walk from Knockholt station. Adult ticket costs £10 return or less with a travel card. remember there are other reductions from group save if 3 or more people travel together or check if someone has a season ticket for shared savings on the goldcard offers. And accompanying children can travel for £1 on group save.

We plan to meet at Hewitts farm gate at 9am, yes it is an early start and picking fruit is quite pleasant early in the day before it heats up.

The farm provides baskets and if you are travelling by train consider bringing some tupperware boxes for easy handling.

If anyone is planning to travel by car from central london/south London/anywhere on the south circular then email Carrie/Claude at londonwestendwi@googlemail.com to coordinate lifts. Carrie & Claude are travelling via West Norwood and Honor Oak, so there is room for 2 more in the car if you can arrange to be on that route between 7.45 & 8.15am (whatever happened to a Sat morning lie in?). Carrie will bring flasks & stove for tea-making! Bring a mid morning snack or lunch if you plan to stay longer.

Contact Carrie via the above email address to let her know if you plan to come along.

Covent Garden Sell out

We had an outstanding two days in Covent Garden Piazza, when the Covent Garden owners offered stalls to around 8 different community grounds (thank you and please offer us space again). There was lots of 'competition' from other community groups and private businesses so we think the £350 gross that we raised is outstanding!

A special thankyou to our secretary Claude who gave encouragement & organising time to making it happen so easily. Thankyou to all those who baked- please bring your receipts to the next meeting to claim back your ingredient expenses (see Claude). A little goes a long way - with £6 of ingredients producing about £40 net profit

The WIs from around the country were out in force that day... we met fellow members from WIs in Norwich, Sussex, Derby. We posed for photos for our fellow WIs and were told our cakes & jams were keeping up the high standards of our fellow WIs (phew says this cook... my slightly well done/singed scones had sold by this point in time)

We made lots of new contacts as a result of being there including potential new members, other community groups and networked with lots of interesting people to spread the word that we are based in this area.

Our next event is at St Giles' in early September so consider some jam/chutney making to stock our stall or keep a space in your diary for the first weekend of Sept.

Make your own Elderflower Champagne

The Elderflowers are out, you may just have time to make a batch of champagne before the flowers fade. This gives a non-alcoholic refreshing drink for the summer. Serve chilled. Very fizzy just like champagne... I love the tangy lemon flavour

7 Elderflower Heads
2 Lemons
1 Gallon of water
1 1/2 lbs of sugar
2 tablespoons of white vinegar

Boil up the water, dissolve the sugar in the water. Allow to cool
Slice the lemons, & place in a large container (a brewing bucket is ideal) & crush slightly to release the lemon juice. Add the water & sugar liquid to the lemons, add the white wine vinegar. Cover & leave for 24 hours.... bottle. Leave for at least 4 weeks. Take care when opening and remember to label the bottle with date and contents!

Enjoy, I'm hoping mine will be ready for our August meeting
Carrie

10 minute miracle fruit jam

Quick but delicious frozen fruit jam in the microwave. (You could have a pot in 10 minutes)
Recipe as promised following WI jam demonstration on Tuesday 15th of June by Claude, Nuala and Nathalie.

Recipe:

• Put about 800g of frozen berries in a plastic jar
• Add 1KG of Tate & Lyle jam sugar with added pectin
• Add a knob of butter

Stir well and cook in microwave for about 10-15 minutes if using fresh fruit especially strawberries, it will probably be very watery and you may need to add more jam sugar to make it set or may need to cook it for 20 minutes plus in total.

In my experience frozen raspberries take 10 minutes and make about 3 small 200-250g pots of jam.

My top tip is keep watching it and stir it regularly.

Oh and never put anything metal in the microwave as that would seriously be quite dangerous ;-)

Also remember that the jam is going to be piping hot. Use oven gloves and wear an apron and be safe in the kitchen.

Ofcourse you could do all of this almost as easily on the hob, but where is the fun in that?

Covent Garden Piazza opportunity

LWWI havebeen invited to take a stall from Friday June 18th to Sunday June 20th.
After our success inBloomsbury it would be churlish not to.

More details to come.

Needless to say we are very keen to take up this opportunity

If you bake, sew, craft, pot, embroider, knit, crochet etc and want to sell something on the stall that you have made pls do get in touch via londonwestendwi@googlemail.com

I will post more details as soon as I have them.

If you would like to help on the stall pls also do not hesitate to get in touch

Thanks

Village Fete resounding success for LWWI

London West End WI raised lots of money at the Bloomsbury Village Fete Saturday May 15th.

We connected with lots of women. And raised our profile in the local area among local women.

Well done to all involved.

WI - V&A Quilting exhibition social evening - 7th June 2010

Monday June 7^th WOMEN'S INSTITUTE QUILT SOCIAL AT THE V&A LONDON (see email below)

You book through the V&A box office 020 7942 2211 mention the WI when you book

Cost should be £5

I think everyone is meeting outside before all going in together.

Event starts at 6 I believe

The deadline to reply is in May

WI meeting tonight 18th May

We are having a 80's style Cheese and Wine evening as our May meeting, Gardening unfortunately had to be cancelled.

Please Do come along.

It will be lovely.

Tuesday's Meeting

hello!
Firstly, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped out with the bake sale, especially Grace, Claude, Rebecca and Jennifer. All together we raised 233 pounds, which will come in very handy! We also spoke to lots of enthusiastic women about the WI, so don't be surprised to see some new faces!

This tuesday night, we'll be having an 80s themed cheese and wine party! We'll have 80s music and hopefully some 80s board games, along with a cheese tasting, wine, and loads of fun. Feel free to bring your favourite cheese or wine for everyone to taste, and to come in 80s clothing (optional!) - bright colours, shoulder pads, bangles and spangles.

If you have any questions, give us a shout. We can't wait to see you on tuesday!

Cinderella - Royal Opera House - 5th June

Saturday 5^th June

Matinee of “Cinderella” at the Royal Opera House

Pls contact kate via londonwestendwi@googlemail.com if you want more information about this or have not already ordered your ticket.

Bloomsbury Fete WI stall - 15th May - Brunswick Centre -

Saturday 15^th May

The annual Village Fete event at the Brunswick centre is in its third year

the WI will be having a stall, please do come along and either make something or else help.

We had a laugh last year but do need some help and some produce.

If you want to help and need more information regarding logistics etc please either
call Claude or Heather or email londonwestendwi@googlemail.com

Guided walk - 11th May 2010 - Suffragettes in the City

11^th May Tuesday

Suffragettes in the City guided walk 6.30-7.30pm

Duration: 1 hour

Meet: just before 6.20pm by orange information kiosk outside Holborn tube station

End: By LSE south end of Kingsway

Cost: no charge to LWEWI

Garden Centre Coach Trip - May1st 2010.

Coach Trip

Saturday May 1st. 10.00am.
Meet outside Majestic Wine at the top of Drury Lane, Covent Garden.
Don't be late!

The coach takes us for free to Crewe's Hill in Enfield to a road lined with about a dozen garden centres (and pet shops and basic cafes) The coach has big luggage spaces so you can bring back big bags of compost and crates of plants. We return in the late afternoon to Covent Garden.

It's organised by Suzie Herschelle and Covent Garden Community Association. If you want to go, call her and let her know before the 28th April on 07944 544 733 or email her on suzie@millimeep.co.uk

Helana and Kate said this was fab last year. Be quick ladies if you want to go ;-)
What better way to start the May Bank holiday.

Date for the Diary - Table Top Sale - may 15th 2010

Table Top Sale

Saturday 15th May 12.30 to 5.00pm. Seven Dials Club, 42 Earlham Street, Covent Garden

WI Meeting - 20th April 2010 - Climate Change & the OPAL Project

The talk on Tuesday April 20th will be conducted by Dr Claire Ryder, a post doctoral Research Assistant in Space and Atmospheric Science at Imperial College. She will cover the following topics:

Climate change - what it means; a summary of the key scientific evidence; key questions still open to debate. The Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) project, its objectives and methodology

How the WI can get involved in the OPAL project

After the presentation, Emily Cleevely, Research and Campaigns Officer, National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) will give a short explanation of how the OPAL project meshes with the NFWI climate change campaign.

If anyone has specific questions for Dr Ryder could you please send them to jennyanderson47@gmail.com by April 16th. Many thanks.

March 2010 WI Meeting

Apologies for my failure to post details of this meeting online
Apparently a wonderful meeting was had by one and all.

"Not Just a Pretty Face Forum" 2 for 1 ticket offer

There are lots of events taking place around International Women's Day (on 8th March) and some link to particular WI campaigns such as the Stop Violence against Women. Check out this event on 15th March

This event may link in with the work we want to do on body image & the media.
Funny Women and Candied Thinking present
"NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE FORUM"
Monday 15th March 2010
Shows Start: 5.30pm, doors at 5pm
Tickets: £25.00
See website below for details of how to book - There is a special 2 for 1 offer to Womens Institute members & friends, watch this space for more details very soon.

If women were running things, how would the world be different?
Women are a powerful force in effecting change in the world; we need to learn how to get our voices heard.
The approach; conversation not combat, supporting the idea that we can effect social change.
Speakers include: TV’s Dr Linda Papadopoulos, political advisor Ayesha Hazarika; Davina James-Hanman of the Greater London Domestic Violence Project; PR guru, author and broadcaster Lynne Franks; Dianne Nelmes, creator of TV’s Loose Women, semiotician Malcolm Evans & social entrepreneur Karen Darby.
Whether you are creative or in business, man or woman, you can be part of this conversation.
Ticket price includes tea and cake and a donation to V-day.
Check out the events at this website Http://www.newplayerstheatre.com/london/events/seeyounexttuesday.asp

See also http://www.birds-eye-view.co.uk/2010/festival between 4th & 12th March for films dedicated to women & women's creativity.

Fundraiser Saturday 15th May - help needed

Saturday 15th May 10am to 4pm tbc – Village Fete at The Brunswick Centre
A local shopping centre has invited us to have a stall as part of their Village Fete. We went to a similar event last year & sold cakes. This is a great opportunity for us to raise funds, our local profile and recruit local women to our WI. To make this happen we need one or two coordinators to recruit volunteers, bakers & makers for the day. It is good fun and members/friends helping out on the day have often enjoyed working as a team to make it happen. We’ve raised over £200 at this type of event in the past and last year we spoke to lots of women about our WI & WI campaigns. If you would be willing to take on a coordinator role or bake/make/ sell goods then please email londonwestendwi@googlemail with your offer ASAP! Remember we will reimburse the cost of ingredients. Keep the receipt and remember to tell us the cost/cake/bun so that we can charge appropriately.

Monday 22nd Feb WI Social

Come along to this friendly social. 6pm to 8pm Mon 22nd Feb @ The 52 Club, 52 Gower St, nearest Tube s Goodge st ( 5 mins walk), opposite Cheney St. Down the outside steps to the basement entrance for this UCL hospital health & fitness club. The bar is closed that night but there are drinks vending machines but we suggest you bring a tea or coffee with you from Pret/Starbucks nr Goodge St Tube and meet us in the bar area. Bar is on the left as you walk through the door. Next time we'll go for a night when the bar is open.

The theme for tonight is body image & media & a possible LWEWI campaign. The WI has a long and impressive history around taking up issues that matter to women ( & men). We'd like to test out the interest in our WI for a campaign and WI national resolution on the way the impact that media advertising and articles have on our perception and satisfaction with our body & appearance. There lots of interesting articles on this subject via the internet and we'd like to sound out members for taking up this issue. One possibility is to put forward a resolution to the National Federation of WIs and ask them to campaign for it in the same way that they & we campaign for Stop Violence against women, climate change and Bees! The reason we are holding this meeting now is that we need to get planning to get a resolution voted on by our WI before we put it forward for selection and time is passing. If you can't make the 22nd then do let either Carrie or Georgia know of your interest asap

Bring your knitting /crochet or other craft projects to this session, a warm comfortable venue that are keen to have us there.

Phone Carrie 07789954972 to let her know you are planning to join us.

WI theatre club - 19th May Theatre Trip

Anyone interested in a theatre Trip. Mrs Warren's Profession George Bernard Shaw

Ambassador theatres have set up WI nights and offering a half price rate on this one. Needs a minimum of 8 people to pay their money in advance £29.50pp. Late payment date is 28th February. Members - You are welcome to invite a female friend for the same price.

Bring your cash on 16th February and speak to Carrie or send her a text before 16th if you cannot be there on the night.

What is Mrs Warren’s profession? Her daughter Vivie has never really known much about her mother. A prim young woman, she has enjoyed a comfortable upbringing, a Cambridge education and a generous monthly allowance. Now she has ambitions to go into Law. Is it conceivable that all this privilege and respectability has been financed from the proceeds of the oldest profession? How will Vivie react when she finds out the awful truth about her mother’s ill-gotten gains?

Shaw’s ultimate test of a mother-daughter relationship is one of his most witty and provocative plays. Written in 1894 but banned from performance until the racy 1920s, Mrs Warren’s Profession lays bare the rampant hypocrisy of Victorian society and its constrained morals.
Felicity Kendal’s television credits include The Good Life and Rosemary and Thyme. Her numerous stage appearances include The Vortex and most recently, The Last Cigarette.
‘It is much my best play. Ah, when I wrote it, I had some nerve’
Bernard Shaw
'Felicity Kendal…superb, Lucy Briggs-Owen…brilliant. A witty and gripping production of one of Shaw’s greatest plays' Daily Telegraph

Women at the Well needs volunteers

Our WI links with a local charity called Women at the Well based at Kings Cross. It provides a drop in centre for women who have been trafficked or are working as prostitutes. Some of our members volunteer in the drop in centre.

More volunteers are needed to help at the drop in centre, if you think you would like to help then get in touch with them to find out more. CRB clearance will be needed and there are lots of ways to help them including fund raising, baking for the drop in centre, filling in forms.

Email info@watw.org.uk or phone 020-7520 1710

2nd February WI social

Update from Tuesday night social - A very successful social/mixer hosted evening was held at Imagination. We knitted, sewed, crocheted, chatted and put the world to rights. New member Laura discovered the delights of knitting under the expert help of Jenny who was onto her 5th cosy crocheted jumper for the battery hens... lucky hens. Georgia and Carrie started the prep needed for a WI resolution on Body image, diets and the media. The WI has a long history of making change happen and we wonder if you would be interested in our projects on this and climate change. More information will follow... watch this space. Thank you to Claude & her employer for gifting us the use of this comfy meeting space ... we will be back. If you have something that you would like to do as a social thing with fellow WI members. Pls do let us know. Other suggestions have been maybe a book club, or a museum/gallery trip, or maybe a trip out to a shopping village.

At the moment we just meet once a month as a group and if I miss a meeting it feels like a long gap till the next so we are organising an in between social hosted by Claude at her great workplace which also has a socialising area that we can use for the price of a drink each. Warm & welcoming and it's even possible to buy a meal too. If you want to come along then you will need to email londonwestendwi@googlemail.com for more details & invite.

The first one of these evenings will be on Tuesday 2nd February starts 6pm till 8pm. This friendly venue is close to Tottenham Court Road - just 5 minutes walk from the Tube. There will be a knitting surgery for anyone needing help getting started with the Jumpers for retired battery hens project or bring along other knitting or craft projects. Bring your own knitting needles & wool for the battery hen jumpers - pattern available. Or just come for a some friendly chat.

PS Members - your What's on Stage membership is ready for collection when you sign up for this year's membership. Kate has the details.

16th February Meeting - History of the World in 100 objects & pancake supper

Our February meeting speaker will talk about the History of the world in 100 Objects - a joint project between the British Musuem and BBC Radio 4 from another of our multi-talented members Pam an archaelogist by background though now working on this project at the British Museum. Pam says Archaeology is less Indiana Jones & more mud & backache. Come for an insiders view of how they chose the objects for the programme and how museum objects can be used to tell a variety of stories. Find out more about the project and how to get involved at www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld

We also had an offer from our friends at St George's Bloomsbury to join their Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper. We said Yes please. So members & visitors if you are planning to come on 16th February, please remember to bring your favourite pancake topping with you and rsvp to let us know you are coming along. Helena is going to make the batter and let it stand (hot cooking tip for a great pancake from one of our culinary whizzes). We are starting promptly at 6.30pm with talk soon after this time followed by a Pancake supper. Be prepared to stay a little later this evening and note that we are breaking with WI tradition and inviting the gentlemen attending the Shrove Tuesday service & Pancake supper... to our talk/meeting. A first for LWEWI and perhaps for the gentlemen too!

2010 Members subscriptions were due at the January meeting £29.50, cheques or cash to London West End WI via our Treasurer Maggie.

January's monster making

As usual Helena inspired us to find our creative side, providing a positive aladdin's cave of delights to make our monsterts. She had raided her craft boxes and we had two tables full of embroidery threads, socks, lace, ribbon, buttons and beads to choose from. I forgot to bring my camera so we no photo's at the moment. Bring your finished monsters to the February meeting for a photo shoot.

19th January 2010 - Monster making craft evening

Tuesday 19th January @ 6.30pm Upper Vestry Hall

Existing members renew your WI membership tonight.. cheques or cash welcomed. See our Treasurer Maggie Carville at the Welcome desk.

As we come out of hibernation after the snow, we are whiling away the dark evenings with creative projects... SOCK MONSTERS. Bring your sewing & craft bits & bobs to the next meeting. Helena Roden our resident artist & long standing committee member will be leading this very sociable and fun session. If you have never got crafty before this is your chance or just come along to say hello to 'old & new faces'
If you have any of these items bring them along
Socks (old without holes recommended)
Bits & Bobs... Buttons, ribbons, anything that takes your fancy
Needle & thread
Wool
clean holey tights for stuffing your monster,
Scissors

Who knows these could be a fund raiser for us or just a celebration of new & rediscovered skills.

We welcome visitors and say come along to a meeting and find out if you like us and our style... friendly & informal. If you do decide to join us... do so as soon as possible because we will soon have a year long membership waiting list!

The next meetings are 16th Feb & 16th March though we expect to organise an
in-between Social evening hosted by Claude near Tottenham Court Road. Look out for details on this blogspot.

Best Wishes
Carrie Graham

December Meeting

We started the evening with our brand new President Heather Willensky welcoming visitors & new members. Heather was our secretary and blogspot designer and has now moved into leading our WI out of the Noughties into the second decade of the 21st Century

This was our 4th Christmas celebration and we ended the year style with a great quiz night testing our knowledge of the WI, London Underground, famous faces from past & present and a music quiz. Thankyou to our host Steve Wickham who had clearly put a lot of time & effort into creating this event for us. It was helped along with mulled wine & nibbles.

We were so busy that night that every chair in the house was occupied with new members and visitors joining in the fun.

Thank you to all for making it such a fun evening.

We meet again on 19th January 2010 and remember the annual subscription is due that night, bring cheques or cash ( approx £29 for the year). For those women who joined between October & December your next payment is due January 2011 you canny folk!

If you came along for the first time in 2009 and want to join us then January 2010 is the time to join and get a full year's membership of the WI.