May 2012 - Midwives resolution debate, quiz and pizzaIn May we engaged in a debate to decide whether we support the yearly resolution voted for by our members earlier this year. We will eventually take action on this cause with local and national campaigns. In the past we have lobbied our MPs, written letters to local councils and engaged in activities.
This year's resolution is EMPLOYMENT OF MORE MIDWIVES and we are very pleased to be joined in the debate by Midwife and campaigner Sheena Byrom OBE who wrote Catching Babies. The arguments will be led by N1 member Laura and everyone is encouraged to share their opinion.
The arguments can be found here
After the debate we enjoyed some delicious pizza and a pub quiz with the ever popluar team of Mr Dawson and Lucy.
April 2012 - The Roots of Feminism and the Memoirs of a Sufferagette
This was a double-whammy meeting where were educated about local feminist Mary Wollstonecraft by fellow WI member and local campaigner, Roberta Wedge. She has been leading a campaign to erect a statue of Mary on her home turf of Newington Green. More info here
We also had a private theatre experience with a one woman show by actress Gill Stoker. Gill performs the memoirs of the composer and sufferagette Dame Ethel Smyth. She has performed for other London WIs, so we were very excited to welcome her to N1. We opened the meeting with a verse of Jerusalem in only the second time in N1 WI history.
March 2012 - Unleash Your Inner Artist
In March we are pleased to be joined by Michael Atavar who will be talking about his books 12 rules of creativity and how to be an artist. He will be getting us to participate in an interactive creativity session. What do you think you could achieve? You may be surprised!
Michael is an artist and a creative consultant with a practice that mixes business, art, creativity and psychology. As part of the Year of the Artist, he was the first artist in residence at the The Guardian, producing a print insert in an unlimited edition of 400,000 copies. He has created over thirty public works in a variety of forms – performance, installation, digital media, publishing. His last piece ‘Dusk’ was shown at the Hayward Gallery.
Bring your inner artist with you!
http://www.creativepractice.com
February 2012 - Flirtology AKA the art of flirting
Let's face it, as the female species, we are pretty fluent in social graces. However, there is always room for improvement! Please join us to meet social anthropologist and flirting expert, Jean Smith, who will give us insight into such topics as how to influence people's moods, factors which can influence attraction, signs which reveal when someone is attracted to you, and how to 'be big' on small talk.
The evening will consist of theory, Smith's own research, and interactive activities. Don't miss this event, one which will surely be both informative and entertaining!
If you can't wait to start flirting, have a look at Jean's flirting tours http://www.flirtology.co.uk/
January 2012 - Housebites
In January 2012 we are welcoming Housebites to N1 WI. They have been making waves in the take away food market by creating a network of local home chefs and cooks who make gourmet food. This means that you can enjoy a restaurant quality meal without leaving the sofa.
They will be telling us all about their services, including how you can become one of their chefs and we’ll be receiving our very own delivery. They will be chatting to us about important issues in cuisine such as sustainability, local produce and diet.
If that’s got you hungry then check out the housebites website: http://www.housebites.com/
November 2011 - How to walk in high heels...
This month we are super pleased to announce that we will be joined by Sarah Toner who is going to teach a class on 21st Century Deportment AKA “How to walk in High Heels” - just in time for those Christmas parties.
Please bring a pair of heels to the meeting!
Sarah will be showing us that with the right training you can learn how to hold yourself with confidence even on days when you don’t feel on top form.
There is an art to walking in high heels, and with a little attention to the entire body it is easy to carry it off. The class pays attention to the feet and legs, stomach, back and shoulders, but it is also encourages relaxation which is paramount before a big event when you really need to feel on top form and in control.
Sarah is a professional ballerina with an amazing career that has taken her all over the world and currently she’s a local resident in Islington. She has done modelling, jazz dance, teaching, and she currently has a book out which she will be telling us about. Copies will be available on the night at half price (£5). Here’s Sarah’s website:
http://www.sarahtoner.co.uk/index.htm
October 2011 - Happy Birthday N1WI!
It's N1 WI's 5th birthday in October and to celebrate we will be hosting a birthday party delicious food, wine, party games and a birthday cake. Not only that, it's the AGM.
The AGM is very important as we see our current President, Traciy, and our Treasurer, Sandra, step down from their roles after 3 years in service. A new committee is being formed from members who were nominated at the September meeting. There will be elections and speeches, so please join us for this auspicious event.
If you would you like to nominate anyone for committee membership please email n1wi@yahoo.co.uk before 12pm on the 24th October.
Have you got friends who would like to join? Good news for newbies who join in October or November because the WI offers membership until January 2013. That means up to 3 months extra free.
Ladies who have been nominated for the election, please be informed that there is a short committee meeting at the end of the AGM. More details at the meeting..
September 2011 - SWISHING!
As Autumn creeps in it’s time for all of us to put away those flip flops and shorts and delve into our winter wardrobes.
But this month we all get the chance to switch our old clothes and accessories for something totally different!
Each of us will be bringing up to 5 items including clothing, accessories, shoes, bags, hats, books and exchange them for vouchers. Our items will then be laid out on tables across the room and then the fun begins!
We can browse and try on each others items and then choose to take the ones we like home again!
There will also be an ‘Up-Cycling’ table where you can bring your old well-loved garments and accessories and give them a much needed makeover with ribbons and buttons and a whole lot more.
There’ll also be loads of nibbles and drinks for us to enjoy and loads of chance to catch up with friends.
Can’t wait!
July 2011 - Beer Tasting
At our meeting on Tuesday 26th July Peter Haydon director of Meantime Brewing Company came to talk to us about beer from his award-winning Greenwich based brewery. Founded in 1999 Meantime have gone from strength to strength producing world class beers, winning a whole host of international awards. After learning a bit about the brewing process we sampled some of their fabulous beers and matched them with some delicious nibbles!
June 2011 - Nutrition with Anna Mason
This month we were joined by top Nutritionist Anna Mason from Distance Dieters who discussed how eating the right foods can do wonders for our bodies and minds. Anna Mason is a fitness and health coach with a practical and straightforward approach to helping people reach their desired weight and stay there.
May 2011 - Quiz, Pizza and Resolutions
Join us for a meeting of heated debate and healthy competition with our annual vote on the WI’s Resolutions for 2011-2012 as well as our well-loved yearly quiz.
The meeting will begin with the debate and vote over the two shortlisted Resolutions:
Proposed Mega Farms
“This meeting abhors the practice of factory farming particularly large animals such as pigs and cows and urges H.M. Government to ensure planning permission is not granted for such projects.”
The Closure of Local Libraries
“This meeting urges H.M. Government to maintain support for local libraries, as an essential local educational and information resource.”
This will be followed by a fantastic quiz hosted by the one and only Steve Dawson. He will be testing our brains to the very core with questions on categories ranging from periodic tables to pop music.
There will be prizes for best team, best name and… worst team! Oh... and there'll be loads of yummy pizza to get those brain cells working.
So get your thinking caps on and head to St John’s Church Hall on Tuesday 31st May at 6:45pm.
Find out more about the WI Resolutions
April 2011 - Cake Pop Making
Thanks to everyone for your fantastic contributions to the Cakepop meeting - and a huge well done to all the winners of the Cakepop competition...very impressive.
It was generally agreed that whatever the size or shape of the Cakepop - they all tasted pretty fantastic and that's what counts!
For all those who want to re-create their tiny/tragic treats, below is a link to the instructions.
Happy baking all!
Images and recipe from Veronica Miller's blog
March 2011 - Staying in tune with the Harmonies
Gemma Woznicki from the Harmonies – the singing group comprising of WI members spoke to us about the highs and lows of her experiences and even gave us a rendition of the first verse of Jerusalem. She is an active member of the East London branch and spoke highly of her group and the WI as a whole.
If you are interested in purchasing one of their cd's – please contact her by email:-
We finished the meeting with us all standing up and singing Jerusalem. We left feeling uplifted and very happy to be part of such a great organisation. Hurrah!
February 2011 - Happy and Healthy
At our February meeting we had a real treat! We were joined by two chiropractors, an acupuncturist, two homeopaths and two massage therapists from the Islington Chiropractic Clinic who have provided health care services to the local community for the last 14 years and are due to move into a new base opposite our own St James Hall.
They discussed and demonstrated how each therapy worked, answered questions and gave taster massages. Some members had the chance to practice improving their core by using a Swiss ball or a wobble board. Money off vouchers for consultations were given out to anyone who wanted to try out the therapies themselves.
January 2011 - N1WI Joins the Chocolution
Happy New Year everyone!
We started 2011 with a talk on chocolate (start as we mean to go on!) and each table was given a plate of cacao in its various stages before it becomes what we know as chocolate. Kieren runs a company based in Kent and he explained to us the highs and low's of high street chocolate.
We were very pleased to hear that raw cacao and chocolate with high cacao content is really good for us!! www.thechocolution.com
November 2011 - How to be a Christmas party goddess
Yes ladies, that time of year is fast approaching with office parties and Christmas drinks heading our way.
In order to prepare for the festive season we have organised for some experts in style to join us for our November meeting to ensure we are all looking and feeling our best.
Activities at our Christmas Goddess meeting include:
Hairstyling with Alice from The Blow Bar...
The Blow Bar, a concept styling salon in Islington's trendy Camden Passage providing 30 minute fashion hair styling to busy women. The Blow Bar has been designed to create a relaxing environment for women to enjoy getting their hair done while sipping on our signature cocktail or a Champagne and orange for those early saturday morning clients. While in the salon you can watch Sex and the City, access the free WIFI, re-charge your phone or chill out and listen to one of the many ipods we have to hand. No booking necessary just walk in.
Beautiful Bras with Charlene from Sistersize...
Sistersize will be hosting a Beautiful Bra table. They will be helping members with bra measurements, products on show and interesting facts about finding the correct bra.
Sister Size is the first Professional Mobile Bra Fitting service based in London. They are dedicated to once and for all setting the record straight and empowering women about how a bra should fit and feel once fitted correctly. Charlene believes that we are all sister's in size so ladies, whether you bare satsumas or melons, jelly moulds or jugs we provide sizes ranging from 28 -38 back size and cups in D-K in fabulous styles for your everyday wear or for that 'little something special'.
It is their mission to provide ladies with the best possible bra fitting in a relaxed and fun setting. They feel that a correctly fitted bra can not only improve your silhouette but it can also raise self 'boobie' awareness and leave you feeling an improved you.... If you look good then you'll feel great.
Manicures with the nailgirls...
nailgirls London was created by two sisters, Jo and Lynda-Louise Burrell. nailgirls is THE authority on nail care and colour, launching a new limited edition range to match the fashion catwalk collections each season. A guilt free, superstylish way to keep on trend, nailgirls is the affordable fashion accessory.
Also, there will be plenty of mulled wine and merriment and a fantastic raffle where you will get the chance to win some faboulous goodies kindly donated by our guests – please bring along some extra cash to take part.
September 2010 - We're Jammin!
This month we went back to WI basics and learned to make scrummy jam! We had a fantastic turn out for this great evening and also had some great raffle prizes to give away.
Thanks to all those who helped out on the day and made some delicious jams and dips for us to enjoy (and try to re-create!)
Next month? AGM!
August 2010 - Party in the Park!
August's meeting was held at our yearly spot on Highbury Fields for some fun and games. No rain, not too chilly - there was no holding us back! Everyone was game on for a sack race, stone and spoon race (!), three legged race, blindfolded balancing game (very impressive, girls!
That yoga has paid off) and a relay race that involved tasks along the way such as making an impressive napkin shape, singing jerusalem etc! After all this excitement we retreated to the Junction pub for pizza and wine - a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
July 2010 - Become a dinner party master
Hooray! Summer has finally arrived and the warm weather is the perfect excuse to get friends round for some fabulous food. But as fans of 'Come Dine With Me' will know, organising a dinner party is no easy task.
From the music to the starters, being the perfect host is never as easy as it seems. But this month at N1WI you can lear to be the perfect Dinner Party Goddess - with top tips on tasty starters, napkin folding and how to make the perfect cocktail to get the party started. There will also be some fun quizes and opportunities to win some fabulous prizes! Come armed with some coins for the raffle and feel free to bring along any burning questions for our dinner party experts!
June 2010 - Jo Budden offers up a bit of vintage glamour
Jo, who usually works with actors, singers etc gave us a “50's glamour” make up demonstration on one of our members.
We all asked her lots of questions along the way and one of her top tips was:-
It is very important to get the base of the make up right and then everything sits well and lasts longer – a good primer and a moisturising foundation – don't forget the eyelids!
The end result was fantastic and with red lips to boot – she was ready for a night out on the town!
May 2010 - Quiz and Pizza!
On Tuesday the N1WI battled it out over the best of the brain cells with our annual quiz and pizza night.
Stephen Dawson (Sandra's husband) was acting quizmaster in what turned out to be a fantastic meeting - minutes coming soon!
April - Ms Marmite Lover
We were lucky enough to have Ms Marmite come to talk to us on Tuesday about setting up her underground restaurant. And consequently dedicate a blog post to the N1WI on her famous blog! Tracie introduced the guest speak Miss Marmite Lover who runs an “underground” restaurant. Miss Marmite spoke to the group for 45 minutes. She told us about her supper club, paladare, guerrilla dining. Asked why “Miss Marmite” – the simple reply was because she likes it (Marmite that is).
She told the group about her exciting year with her Harry Potter problems, her issues with London underground and about her Underground Farmers & Craft Market and also about making Marmite cupcakes. Miss Marmite was a wonderful guest who answered many of our member’s questions. “How many nights do you open every week?”; “How do you charge for wine?”; “Do you mind so many strangers using your loo?” We learnt that catering was hard work, long hours and not very profitable but great fun and worthwhile. Miss Marmite told us that she is presently writing a book: a manual on how to run a Supper Club. The evening ended with all members giving Miss Marmite a well deserved round of applause for being a great speaker.
Whether you call them 'supper clubs', ‘secret’, ‘guerrilla’ or ‘undercover’ operations, thrilling little private kitchens have mushroomed all over the capital during the last year. One of the better-known pseudonyms in this new alternative industry is the affable Ms Marmite Lover, whose Underground Restaurant in Kilburn is a showcase for creative contemporary cooking that’s booked up weeks in advance.
March 2010 - Call my bluff wine tasting
We will be doing a very special "Call My Bluff" wine challenge. Ladies will split into teams and go head to head to win a prize. We are set to learn about a few different wines and all the answers are officially verified by the Wines and Spirits Education Trust. Nibbles will be supplied!
There is a trip planned in May for a Blue Badge guided walk around the Southbank with Breakfast or Brunch at the ever so cool "Roast" in Borough Market. Tickets will be available on the night for a deposit of £5. Find out more here.
We will have a couple of raffles happening on the night also, so bring your quids and your luck may be in!
February 2010 - Stand-up comes to N1WI
We hope you are all ready for a new year of new friends and WI! The next meeting will be held 23rd Feb at 6.45pm for 7pm at St James Hall. We have a comedian who is coming to give us a comedy lesson and workshop.
If you have not renewed your membership this is the meeting to do it! Please make checks to N1WI for £29.50. Next month we will be updating the email list to members only so please renew now!
