Fulham WI

April Meeting: travel adventures & musical nostalgia

Monday, 2^nd April from 7.30pm

The Arbiter, which is on North End Road in Fulham.

Please find a link here to Google Maps for directions:

The April meeting will include:-

Jonny Bealby:  1996 travel writer Jonny Bealby set out across the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province to follow in the footsteps of his two heroes from English literature, Peachy Carnehan and Daniel Dravot, from Kipling's classic tale, The Man Who Would Be King.

Travelling on foot, on an often gruelling and dangerous journey, he became captivated by a land of harsh natural beauty, political intrigues and a diverse and fascinating population. And when he finally emerged from Afghanistan back into Pakistan and the valleys of the Kalash - the last of the pagan tribes to inhabit the Hindu Kush - he was so taken with these warm and welcoming people that he put down his bags and stayed for three months.

Since then, Jonny has written 3 books covering his adventures in fascinating parts of Central Asia and Africa and will be coming to speak to us of his exploits.

And also ……

Victoria Hart:  Is coming to sing to us.  Victoria is just 18 years old but when she sings she transports you back to the 1940's with all the glamour of Rita Haywoth and Ava Gardener, she sums up all that was romantic from that era.

Victoria is releasing her first single at the end of April and is keen to meet Fulham WI.

Return to Glory: Will let us know what their service - the original team of in home beauty and health professionals - can offer us ladies.

Fulham WI News and Events:-

Theatre Trip

Sorry about the short notice but the date for the trip to the Theatre to see “Guys and Dolls” has been changed to 4^th April. If anyone is still interested in going please let us know ASAP.

FWI Ball 2007

Please let us know if you would be interested in helping to organise the annual FWI Ball this year. Either talk to one of the committee members at the April meeting or drop Niki Hutchinson an email on niki@liberycomms.com

Subs Reminder

All subs are due in this month – this year the amount is £26 and includes a copy of WI magazine delivered to your door! There is a small membership form to fill out and cheques should be made payable to the Fulham WI.

Please speak to Sarah Cook, Membership Secretary at the meetings for further information and the membership form.

See you all there ... for those who cannot make it, see you very soon!

Fulham WI Committee xx   

Alice Rose: Exclusive S/S 07 Collection Launch Evening

Alice Rose is pleased to announce that their new Spring Summer '07 collection is now in store. As well as our usual range of fabulous designs and stunning occasion wear, they are also pleased to announce that they now stock a wonderful range of the latest summer must-haves and elegant party dresses all for under £100.

 

They would be delighted if you would join them for an evening with cakes and drinks and 20% off everything in store on:

Wednesday 28th March from 5 - 7.30pm at

Alice Rose

70 New King's Road, London, SW6.

www.alicerose.net

WI Carbon Challenge

Article extracted from NFWI website

Take action against climate change

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident all around the world and, consequently, we all need to reduce our contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.

This is why we are inviting our members to reduce their carbon footprints by taking part in the WI Carbon Challenge. We are delighted to announce that the WI Carbon Challenge is being supported by Marks & Spencer.

The WI Carbon Challenge will be officially launched at our AGM on 6 June 2007. In the meantime you can register for updates to help you start thinking about reducing your carbon footprint.

The WI Carbon Challenge will use the WWF One Planet Living Calculator to enable you to track your carbon emissions. Once you have registered, you will receive a personalised results summary showing how you can reduce your carbon footprint.

The project is designed to help WI members measure and reduce their carbon footprints and has the potential to be one of the most effective projects of its kind in the UK.

Marks & Spencer is supporting the WI Carbon Challenge as part of its recently announced £200m eco-plan ‘Plan A’, which includes a commitment to become carbon neutral in its own operations by 2012 and to help individuals to make changes in their own lives.

Reducing our carbon footprint is something that each and every one of us can do in order to make a real difference in the world we live in. And an even bigger difference to the world that our children and our grandchildren will inherit from us. 

The WWF One Planet Living Calculator will be available on this site shortly, why not register your details for updates to help you start thinking about reducing your carbon footprint? You will also receive an email reminder to come back and start the WI Carbon Challenge.

WI members will receive a series of WI Carbon Challenge guidance leaflets in the membership magazine WI Life. Look out for the first leaflet in the April edition.

Please register straight away by filling in the form.

'Guys & Dolls': Theatre Event for Central London WIs

Wednesday 4th April from 7.30pm
WI Theatre Event for central London WIs
'Guys & Dolls' at the Piccadilly Theatre

 The Ambassador Theatre Group has been in contact with the FWI committee to offer tickets for "Guys & Dolls" at the Piccadilly Theatre for a reduced rate of £25 (usually £55) as long as a minimum 12 seats are purchased together. N1WI have reserved a row of 20 top priced seats in mid stalls.

If FWI Members would like to attend please let us know ASAP. Payment for the tickets is required by 28th March.

'Guys & Dolls' is a super award-winning show and this event should be a superb opportunity for N1 and Fulham members to meet. If you have any questions or would like any further information please contact Niki.

All friends and partners welcome, so please feel free to bring them along.

Hope you can join us.

Fulham WI Committee

FWI Social Event: Drinks at The White Horse

Thursday 22nd March from 7pm
White Horse Public House, Parsons Green

For a map click here

An informal get-together for no particular celebration, just a great opportunity to socialise, really get to know each other and have a chat outside the usual monthly meetings.

All  friends and partners welcome so please feel free to bring them along.

Hope to see you all there.

Fulham WI Committee

International Women's Day

International Women’s Day has been observed since 1910, when an International Women’s Day was proposed in Copenhagen to honour the women’s rights movement and to assist in the fight for universal suffrage. Today, the event commemorates the stories of ordinary women as makers of history and is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. History is full of impressive female movements – such as Lysistrata initiating a sexual strike against men in ancient Greece in order to end war and Parisian women marching on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage during the French Revolution.

From film screenings and comedy to creative writing events, there are all sorts of ways you can join the fun. For even more ways to participate in International Women’s Day events. Check out this link.

Amazon Associates

You can now shop and support Fulham WI at the same time! Our WI is now an 'Amazon Associate' which means that everytime you make a purchase by clicking on the Amazon icon (see example above) situated on the bottom left-hand corner of the blog homepage we will receive up to 10% of the proceeds- which will go a long way to making our branch even better. For any of you interested in WI-specific merchandise we have gathered them together in our 'wish list'. Happy shopping!

Exclusive Offer for FWI members

Lisa Barnwell from Me & My Baby Clinic who spoke at our March meeting has very kindly offered Fulham WI members a one hour aromatherapy treatment for the special price of £60 (normal price £65), which also includes a sample personal blend to use at home.

"Me & My Baby Therapy Rooms & Clinic provide a unique nurturing and holistic environment. We focus on treatments to care for women before, during and after pregnancy. Located directly opposite Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, the clinic offers a calm and relaxing space where we offer a range of one-to-one therapies, exercise, information and support for women and their partners."

This offer is valid until end May 2007 and is subject to availability. For more details please visit www.meandmybabyclinic.co.uk or telephone 020 7751 4170

New WI website

Along with the new WI magazine, the NFWI have also updated their website. In fact, you may recognise a few familiar faces on the homepage! The new website also has a new address: http://www.thewi.org.uk. Do you have an opinion on the new magazine and website? Then let us know by leaving a comment below.

Have your say about Fulham Women's Institute

The Committee want to hear your thoughts and feelings on all aspects of our wonderful branch: meeting content, speakers, venues, extracurricular events...the Christmas Ball. We really value your feedback so please be as honest as possible.

Use this questionnaire to help us make FWI even better with your ingenious and original ideas to make membership more enjoyable for you and others.

A copy of the questionnaire is available below for you to download. There will be paper copies available for you to complete at the March meeting as well.

Long live Fulham WI!

Download fulham_wi_questionnaire.doc