October Fulham WI meeting, Monday, 1st October from 7.30pm
Venue, as usual, is the upstairs function room at THE PETERBOROUGH
This meeting will be our 4th Birthday and also our AGM too-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!
The meeting will include talks from:
Alex Boyd: The mess in the Middle East
As a nation, we have been tied to the Middle East for nearly a century. We all have seen young O’Toole dashing across the desert with a moody Sharif in tow. We have carried this alliance on for decades, helping to draw the lines that formed their countries and even creating new ones along the way.
We now face numerous issues as there is an indeterminate amount of oil still to be bought: the Americans enjoy a disproportionate degree of power and the Islamic fundamentalists are seeking an unfeasible Utopia. What we don’t hear much about is how the US concentrates its foreign policy on energy protection, the Brits will play the long game backing whoever they deem to be favourable and we have to indulge a concept of religion that is, frankly, stuck in the Middle Ages.
If we pulled out, would there be carnage for eternity? If we are there to influence the region into a democratic benign area, then who are we dealing with and why should they change?
Having spent time working in that part of the world for both governmental departments (theirs, not ours!) and private companies, Alex is fascinated to find out how Fulham WI members feel and what we think the way forward is.
Carolyn Murison: It’s a Man’s World in the Army…..or so they think!
Major Carolyn Murison, Officer Commanding 5 Signal, Squadron, 31st Signal Regiment joined the TA in 1994. Major Murison will be talking to us about her time in the TA, particularly her experiences in Iraq on Op Telic in 2003 where, as well as experiencing both the good and the bad of Iraqi life she also met a variety of key personalities including Tony Blair, Gen Sir Mike Jackson and Nell McAndrew!
This will be a fascinating opportunity to hear about the role of women in today’s British army 1st hand.
Rick Brunwin: Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation
In 2000 it was discovered that up to 1 in 4 homeless people have a background in the armed services. The Oswald Stoll Foundation exists to ensure that vulnerable and disabled ex-serviceman and women live as independently as possible, enabling ex-service personnel to flourish and rebuild their lives by bringing them together with appropriate support within a community where they consider they belong.
The Oswald Stoll Foundation is our chosen charity for the 2007 Christmas Ball. A representative of the foundation will give us a brief introduction to its work and be available for our questions.
Fulham WI News and Events:
FWI Christmas Ball – “Viva Las Vegas”
The FWI Christmas Ball is a “Viva Las Vegas” theme … with live entertainment, disco and fun-casino and it’s on Saturday 01 December from 7.30pm to 1am at Fulham Town Hall (bang opposite Fulham Broadway tube/Centre)
The tickets are £60 per person and this includes a champagne reception, 3-course “Thanks-giving themed” meal and ½ bottle of wine (per person) on the table. There will be a cash bar selling wine, beer, champagne and soft drinks etc!
There will also be a raffle – we have some amazing prizes coming in such as: Tandem Sky-dive (thanks to the Bee-keeping Major!); £60 Dermalogica facial; Session with Image Trees – make up lesson or colour consultation; Session with a personal stylist; a years’ subscription to The Economist; bottles of wine and some other treats J Any other ideas – more than welcome!
Most importantly the money we raise from the Ball will be going to a local Fulham charity the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation – who we will hear from at this month’s meeting.
If anything it is a fun-packed evening and a great way to kick-start the Christmas season ………so, if you like the sound of it, want to dust off those party frocks and party the night away, tickets can be purchased at the October meeting – cheques should be payable to Fulham WI. We will be sending out a Ball mailer later on in the week with full details and also how to pay online!
All friends/partners or random good-looking people off the street welcome too – the more the merrier!! We are hoping to beat the £2,500 that we raised for last years’ charity!
Please keep an eye-open for further info on www.fulhamwi.org.uk and on Facebook – yes we have a FWI group on there too!
Nordic Walking
The Nordic Walking scheduled for Wednesday, 19th September has been cancelled by the organiser due to a personal matter. For anybody that has signed up to this activity, the organiser should have been in contact with you directly and is looking to re-arrange for another suitable date – perhaps the 26th September.
When I have any further information I will let you all know.
BBC Ready, Steady Cook
A BIG THANK YOU to the ladies who got involved with the filming for BBC Ready, Steady Cook. As soon as I have details of when it will be aired I will let you all know!
See you all there ... for those who cannot make it, see you very soon!
Fulham WI Committee xx
Comments