Fulham WI

Fulham WI February Meeting - 1 February from 7:30pm

Hello Ladies!
 
The February Fulham WI meeting will take place on Monday 1 February at 7:30pm.  Our speaker will be Christine Hodgson of the Chelsea Physic Garden.
 
Members will have to complete new membership forms for 2010 with their annual subs (£29.50) by the end of February or risk losing their membership.  These forms will be available at the February meeting.
 
 
SPEAKER

Christine Hodgson: Chelsea Physic Garden
The Chelsea Physic Garden is a jewel on our doorstep. Founded in 1673 as the Apothecaries’ Garden with the purpose of training apprentices in identifying plants, Chelsea Physic Garden has been in continual cultivation ever since, maintaining its importance as a centre for education and  research.  Today, as well as being a fascinating oasis in stunning surroundings, the garden has developed a major role in public education focusing on the renewed interest in natural medicine.
We are delighted to be welcoming Christine Hodgson, an historian who is also a volunteer guide. Christine will be giving us an introduction to the garden and brightening up what is likely to be a dark winter evening with some wonderful pictures of the garden!

As always, the meeting will be in the upstairs room at the Peterborough/Southern Cross pub on the New Kings Road (on the junction of Wandsworth Bridge Road) nearest tube is Fulham Broadway.  Please find here a link to Streetmap for directions.  We look forward to welcoming new members and returning members alike.
 
EVENTS

Fulham WI Fencing Taster Session
Wednesday, 3 February from 7-9pm
 
A fun introduction to fencing - the ancient art of swordplay!  Only a normal level of fitness is required.  All equipment is provided. 
 
The cost is £20 per person,  cash or cheques payable to 'Central London Fencing Club.'  If you would like to attend, please email us with your contact details.  You will also be able to sign up and pay at the February meeting.
 
 
International Women's Day
Monday, 8 March from 10:30am - 2pm
 
This is an important day for many women all around the world. On this day, many people celebrate the achievements and strengths of women.  As part of the NFWI's Women Reaching Women project, this year we will celebrate International Women's Day by supporting Women for Women Internationals' "Join me on the Bridge" campaign. This campaign will bring women together by meeting on bridges all around the world to show that women everywhere are united in building the bridges of peace and development for our global future.
Together we aim to pressure the international community to fulfil its obligations to meet the Millennium Development Goals, promises made by world leaders in 2000. Each has specific targets, most of which are not on track to be fully achieved by 2015, meaning that millions more women die unnecessarily in childbirth, and millions of girls are denied the basic education which would improve their lives and the lives of future generations.

We don't want women and girls to be forgotten. To raise awareness, we will be leading a walk in London at 10:30am from Victoria Embankment Gardens to the Millennium Bridge where all participants will join together on the bridge for a photo opportunity at 12:00. Please do join us for this significant day and show your solidarity with women worldwide. Please bring either a white banner, sheet, piece of fabric or t-shirt (if you are artistic, painted with your vision of peace).  If you would like to attend, please email us with your contact details.

 
Theatre Group : Private Lives Starring Kim Cattrall
Tuesday, 9 March from 7:30pm
 
We are planning to see Private Lives starring Kim Cattrall at the Vaudeville Theatre.  We are unable to get group tickets as yet but are hoping to have them for around £35 - £40 each.  Please let us know if you would like to attend please email us your contact details.  You will also be able to sign up at the February meeting.
 
 
Fulham WI Archery Taster Session
Saturday, 27 March at 2pm
 
Fun, have-a-go, 1.5 hour archery session at an Islington venue.  Includes a safety briefing to start the session, insurance, equipment hire, individual instruction for each person to shoot the first three arrows, tips and advice from an archery instructor throughout the session. The session lasts for 1.5 hours and they've promised to get everyone hitting the target.
 
Friends are welcome.  The cost is £20 per person, cash or cheques payable to '2020 Archery.'  If you would like to attend, please email us your contact details.  You will also be able to sign up and pay at the February meeting.
 
 
Theatre Group Dates
We have se the following dates for 2010 theatre outings.  Please enter them into your diary and we will work out what we want to go and see nearer the time.
 
Tuesday 15th June
Tuesday 14th September
Tuesday 30th November

 

x Fulham WI Committee

http://www.fulhamwi.org.uk

Contact Us:

Fulham WI January Meeting - 4 January from 7:30pm

Happy New Year! 
 
The January Fulham WI meeting will take place on Monday 4 January at 7:30pm.  Our speakers will be Oliver Symons of the Royal Ballet and Christopher Millard of London Transport Police.

Members will have to complete new membership forms for 2010 with their annual subs (£29.50) by the end of February or risk losing their membership.  These forms will be available at the January and February meetings.
 
 
SPEAKERS

Oliver Symons: In and Around The Royal Ballet

Local Fulham resident Oliver Symons has been involved in dance, in one form or another, since 1954. He retired in 2001 after 36 years with The Royal Ballet, 15 as Ballet Master of ‘Ballet for All’, the remainder as Assistant Ballet Master with the Company at Covent Garden.  He appeared in a number of ballets, most notably as an Ugly Sister, Widow Simone and Mrs Tiggywinkle, as well as in many similar roles.  Oliver was a teacher for the Company and supervised its education programme for several years.

Prior to his career with The Royal Ballet Oliver was a founder member of Western Theatre Ballet, dancing with the company for seven years, following which he danced at the Zurich Opera House for a year.

Since his retirement Oliver has become an experienced raconteur, having given over 100 talks, so we look forward to hearing his tales entitled ‘In and Around The Royal Ballet’.

 

Christopher Millard from the London Transport Police will also be coming to give us all some quick tips on keeping safe on the tube.  He will briefly introduce our local British Transport Police Neighbourhood Policing Team, what their aims are and how they intend to achieve them.  He will also take any questions that we may have. 
 

As always, the meeting will be in the upstairs room at the Peterborough/Southern Cross pub on the New Kings Road (on the junction of Wandsworth Bridge Road) nearest tube is Fulham Broadway.  Please find here a link to Streetmap for directions. We look forward to welcoming new members and returning members alike.

EVENTS

Fulham WI Fencing Taster Session

Wednesday, 3 February from 7-9pm

 

A fun introduction to fencing - the ancient art of swordplay!  £20 per person, cheques payable to 'Central London Fencing Club.'  Only a normal level of fitness is required.  All equipment is provided.  Just wear tracksuit bottoms, a t-shirt, and trainers.  If you would like to attend, please email us with your contact details and 'Fencing Taster' in the subject line.

 

 

International Women's Day

Monday, 8 March from 10:30am - 2pm

 

This is an important day for many women all around the world. On this day, many people celebrate the achievements and strengths of women.  As part of the NFWI's Women Reaching Women project, this year we will celebrate International Women's Day by supporting Women for Women Internationals' "Join me on the Bridge" campaign. This campaign will bring women together by meeting on bridges all around the world to show that women everywhere are united in building the bridges of peace and development for our global future.

Together we aim to pressure the international community to fulfil its obligations to meet the Millennium Development Goals, promises made by world leaders in 2000. Each has specific targets, most of which are not on track to be fully achieved by 2015,
meaning that millions more women die unnecessarily in childbirth, and millions of girls are denied the basic education which would improve their lives and the lives of future generations.

We don't want women and girls to be forgotten. To raise awareness, we will be leading a walk in London at 10:30am from Victoria Embankment Gardens to the Millennium Bridge where all participants will join together on the bridge for a photo opportunity at 12:00. Please do join us for this significant day and show your solidarity with women worldwide. Please bring either a white banner, sheet, piece of fabric or t-shirt (if you are artistic, painted with your vision of peace).  If you would like to attend, please email us your details with the subject line 'International Women's Day.'

 

 

Fulham WI Archery Taster Session

Saturday, 27 March at 2pm

 

Fun, have-a-go, 1.5 hour archery session.  £20 per person, cheques payable to '2020 Archery.'  Includes a safety briefing to start the session, insurance, equipment hire, individual instruction for each person to shoot the first three arrows, tips and advice from an archery instructor throughout the session. The session lasts for 1.5 hours and they've promised to get everyone hitting the target.  Strictly no alcohol beforehand.  Please wear comfortable and footwear, warm clothes, no heels, no baggy sleeves.  Robin hood hats entirely optional!  Islington venue.  Friends welcome.

 

 

Theatre Group Dates
We have se the following dates for 2010 theatre outings.  Please enter them into your diary and we will work out what we want to go and see nearer the time.
 
Tuesday 9th March
Tuesday 15th June
Tuesday 14th September
Tuesday 30th November

 

 

x Fulham WI Committee

 

http://www.fulhamwi.org.uk

Contact Us:

Join The Wave - London, 5 December - Climate Change March

As you may be aware, there is a climate change march taking place in Central London on 5 December, which the WI is involved with.  The march is organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, of which the WI is a founder member, and is timed to coincide with the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen.  They are really looking forward to seeing lots of WI members at the march.  Members are coming from
around the country and it would be great to have a really fantastic showing from the London area.

SNAPSHOT
What:    a march around the Houses of Parliament, starting from Grosvenor Square
When:   5 December, meet at 11am. The march should finish at around 3.30pm.
Where: meet in the event room, Mayfair Library, 25 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2PB
Why:     to draw attention to the dangers of runaway climate change and provide decision-makers with the grassroots mandate to take strong action at the UN Climate Change talks in Copenhagen
Wear:    something blue!!

What - march in London

Before the march, WI members will gather in the events room of the Mayfair Library (see 'where' details below).  This is an opportunity to meet members who have similar interests, catch up with people you haven't seen for a while, enjoy some light lunch and to feel a little more at home if you've never been on a march before.  During this gathering, we'll be handing out banners and placards for people to carry with them on the march - if you have any from your federation or WI, please feel free to bring them along!

At midday, we will head over to Grosvenor Square for the start of the march, staying together as a WI group.  There will be a rally in Grosvenor Square whilst people assemble, then we'll move towards Westminster via Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and 10 Downing Street before encircling Parliament. The climax will be as Big Ben chimes 3pm, when a wave of blue will flow through the people circling parliament. The Wave will then pass over Westminster Bridge and disperse.

This event is being organised to demonstrate the diversity of support across the UK to tackle climate change.  Other organisations attending include the RSPB, Oxfam, Cafod, Christian Aid and many more, and the event is designed to be family-friendly and welcoming.  Throughout the planning, safety and security of the event have been a priority and the organisers are working in close cooperation with the police and other agencies to ensure that the day enables safe, peaceful and lawful protest.

Please see the Stop Climate Chaos website for more information:
http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-wave

When - 11am, 5 December 2009

WI members should meet at the Mayfair Library from 11am.  We will leave to join the march at approximately midday.

Where - meet in the Mayfair Library, South Audley Street

WI members should meet in the events room of the Mayfair Library, 25 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2PB.  A map of the location can be found by clicking here.  We will then move to Grosvenor Square, which is approximately a 10 minute walk from the Mayfair Library.

Why - to raise awareness for Climate Change

This march coincides with the start of the UN Climate Change talks in Copenhagen - these are probably the most important discussions which world leaders have taken part in for the last decade, if not generation, and have the power to secure or destroy our world for the future.  By turning out in great numbers, we're signifying to our leaders in the UK that we want urgent action to tackle climate change and we want it now.  As WI members, this supports our Women and Climate Change campaign, as women around the world will be the ones who suffer first and hardest from the effects of climate change.  We urgently need to make our voices heard.

Wear - something blue!

Please make sure that you are wearing something blue on the day - a hat, some gloves, a scarf, a coat, a whole blue outfit, even just bringing a blue umbrella will do!  We're trying to create a blue wave around Parliament, to symbolise the rising waters which will be a direct result of climate change.

How (to get there and away)

The Mayfair Library is located within easy reach of Marble Arch, Green Park and Bond Street tube stations, as well as many bus routes.  The closest station to the end of the march is Westminster.  To check the best way of getting there for you, please use the TFL journey planner, using your start point and the library's postcode (W1K 2PB) to find the best route.

November Meeting Details and Events

The November Fulham WI meeting will take place on Monday 2 November at 7:30pm.

NOVEMBER SPEAKER

For centuries people have told stories of encounters with ghosts and fascination with the subject continues to this day.  It is said that 1 out of 10 people believes they have seen a ghost, but what exactly does this mean?  What is a ghost, what do these experiences have in common, and why and how do people go looking for them? 

 

Rosie Murdie's talk will attempt to answer some of these questions and will include a history of the Ghost Club (the oldest paranormal association in England) and the speaker's own experience of hunting ghosts in locations such as Ham House in Richmond and The Kings Ams in Aylesbury.  There will also be a chance to hear some famous tales of ghosts who haunt the streets of London.

 

 

As always, the meeting will be in the upstairs room at the Peterborough/Southern Cross pub on the New Kings Road (on the junction of Wandsworth Bridge Road) nearest tube is Fulham Broadway.  Please find here a link to Streetmap for directions. We look forward to welcoming new members and returning members alike.

 

 

EVENTS

 

Thrive Volunteer Sunday - 1 November

 

This year's charity, Thrive, always welcomes new volunteers, either during the week to work alongside their disabled client gardeners or at weekends. From May to November they hold monthly volunteer Sundays (to work in the gardens) and weekly Saturday plant sales where volunteers man the plant stall.  The next Volunteer Sunday will be 1 November, and the ladies from Fulham WI will be there to help!

 

To confirm your interest, please email us with your contact details.

 

 

Holiday Gift-Making at Pottery Cafe - Thursday 19 November

7:30pm - 10pm

 

We will be spending the evening of 19 November painting pottery at the Pottery Cafe in Fulham.  Choose from the menu of handmade pottery, select your paints and sponges, and have a go!  If you aren't comfortable decorating freehand, don't worry - they have their own unique range of decorating sponges that are very easy to use.  You will be amazed how professional your finished item looks - perfect for personalised gift-giving.

 

There is a £5.95 studio fee (per person, per session - NOT per item) to cover all materials plus glazing and firing of your decorated items, which are charged separately.  A list of available pottery can be found on the website: http://www.pottery-cafe.com/index.html. 

 

Final numbers must be given by Monday, 2 November.  To book your place, please email us with your contact details.

 

 

Reclaim The Night - Saturday 21 November

from 6pm

As part of the NFWI's 'End Violence Against Women' campaign members have been invited to join other organisations working for women and to end violence on a march to demand justice for rape survivors.

According to the Reclaim the Night website: The British Crime Survey (2001) found that there are an estimated 47,000 rapes every year, around 40,000 attempted rapes and over 300,000 sexual assaults. Yet our conviction rate is the lowest it has ever been, one of the lowest in Europe, at only 5.3%. This means that more rapists were convicted in the 1970s when Reclaim The Night marches first started than they are now. Did you know that the maximum sentence possible for rape is life imprisonment? Probably not, because rarely are rapists even reported or convicted, let alone with a realistic sentence. This situation has to change.  This is a women-only march, details below:

Assemble 6pm (march to start promptly at 6.30pm)

Whitehall Place, Central London Map here

 

To confirm your attendance, please email us with your contact details.

 

 

ETC.

 

Keep Your Promise Campaign Petition

 

The following petition may be of interest to members of Fulham WI, as we have been active in the No More Violence Against Women campaign.

 

The Boris Keep Your Promise campaign is calling on the Mayor of London to meet his campaign pledge to fund four Rape Crisis Centres for London.  At present London's 4 million women are served by just one centre in Croydon, although plans are underway to develop a further Rape Crisis centre in Ealing. The campaign calls on the Mayor of London to meet his promise to provide immediate funding for four centres across the city. The mayor has previously thanked campaigners for raising the public profile of this goal. To sign the petition please visit: http://38degrees.org.uk/page/s/rapecrisis
For further details on the campaign please visit:
http://www.boriskeepyourpromise.org.uk/

 

 

ITV House Gift Opportunity

 

ITV’s hugely successful daytime show, ‘House Gift’ is returning for a brand new series.  They're looking for stylish homes to take part in this unique interior design challenge. Their three interior design gurus will find you three fabulous house gifts, and all you have to do is choose which one is perfect for your home.  Their challenge is to find something that fits your home, your challenge is to judge how well they’ve succeeded.  If you’re up for some fun, and you think you’d be great on TV, get in touch. Whether you live in a townhouse or a semi, a loft apartment or a basement flat - they'd love to hear from you. 

 

If you are interested, please reply to this email with your contact details

Reclaim the Night!

Reclaim the Night Event- Saturday 22nd November 2008

As part of the NFWI's 'End Violence Against Women' campaign members have been invited to join other organisations working for women and to end violence on a march to demand justice for rape survivors.

According to the Reclaim the Night website: The British Crime Survey (2001) found that there are an estimated 47,000 rapes every year, around 40,000 attempted rapes and over 300,000 sexual assaults. Yet our conviction rate is the lowest it has ever been, one of the lowest in Europe, at only 5.3%. This means that more rapists were convicted in the 1970s when Reclaim The Night marches first started than they are now. Did you know that the maximum sentence possible for rape is life imprisonment? Probably not, because rarely are rapists even reported or convicted, let alone with a realistic sentence. This situation has to change.

Details of the event are below:

Assemble 6pm
March to start promptly at 6.30pm

Whitehall Place
Central London Map here
Women-only march

Followed by rally with speakers and stalls, open to all women, children and men and fully accessible at:
Friends Meeting House, Main Hall, Euston Road. Map here

Please contact Niki or Sarah if you are interested in taking part in this event.

'A World Without Jam'

'Extracted from the NFWI website'

"A World Without Jam is a visually striking short film which captures our members’ knowledge and enthusiasm for fighting climate change. We hope this film will motivate more people to start up new conversations about climate change and inspire them to take action together.."

' A World Without Jam' can be viewed on Quicktime or Windows Media Player here

New NFWI Public Affairs Blog

(Extracted from the NFWI website 29/11/09)

The NFWI Public Affairs Department works on the WI campaigns and projects, advises on specific policy issues and researches the resolutions submitted by members each year.

You will find information on past resolutions as well as the latest notes and developments of this year’s resolutions in our Resolutions and Mandates section.

Why not check out their new blog and read about the WI's recent activities on campaigns and projects.

Who's paying the real cost of supermarket price wars? Support the ActionAid campaign

ActionAid are coming to speak to us next year about British supermarkets and female workers. Currently though they are about to complete a campaign calling for binding regulation and an  independent watchdog to be put in place to ensure that supermarkets play fair in the developing countries where they do business.

Please find below the background to the campaign and also the link here to read their reports.

As part of this campaign they are asking for people to sign up to their Loyalty Pledge to give support.

If you are interested, please do have a look at their website and consider signing the pledge.

Your chance to vote on a plastic bag ban in London

As you will know plastic carrier bags are a target of the NFWI environment campaigns due to the amount of pollution they cause. It seems that that London Councils, as part of the 10th Amendment of the London Local Authorities Bill have started a public consultation to see what London residents would think about a city-wide ban on plastic carrier bags.

To make your voice heard, follow this link

Background to the NFWI campaigns can be found here

The consultation ends at 5pm on Friday 26th October 2007. So don't delay your chance to make a real improvement to our environment; both for London's residents and for London's wildlife.

Simple Solutions for your New Year's Resolutions

Original post 01/01/07. Links updated Sept 2007. 'Simple Solutions' booklet as featured on the Alan Titchmarsh Show!

Get your New Year off to an environmentally-friendly start with some easy-to-keep resolutions inspired by the NFWI:

Spent too much over Christmas? Save pennies, and the planet with this little booklet full of 'Simple Solutions' for making your own beauty products and cleaners using simple ingredients that are probably already in your home. Produced as part of the 'Chemicals and Health Campaign', 'Simple Solutions' is packed full of tips from WI members on how to leave your skin glowing and your home sparkling! To order a copy, please call the Public Affairs Department on 020 7371 9300.

Over-packaging of food was the focus of a day of direct action by WI members across the country in 2006. Do your bit to stop the pollution caused by the 167 plastic bags you use each year by purchasing a long-lasting jute shopper from the NFWI website. Larger, stronger and longer-lasting than your average carrier- it's even compostable at the end of its very long life! The WI Jute Shopper measures W47cm x H32cm x B18cm and costs £7.50 (incl p&p). Buy yours today from the NFWI website. For day-to-day use why not keep a smaller cotton one in your handbag? These are available for £3 (incl p&p) again from the same source.

For further inspiration and information on how to make 2007 even greener, visit the 'Campaigns' page of the NFWI website.