N1 Women's Institute

A big thankyou!

A huge thankyou goes out to all those who contributed to our harvest festival at the last meeting. We had lots of lovely food to give members of the Simon Community who were hugely grateful for the contribution. 

Also, massive thanks to Linda for once again blowing us away with her amazing menu (which I think we all had seconds ... and thirds of!). I'm sure everyone will agree it was absolutely delicious and join the committee in saying a great big thankyou!!  

The Wave - December 5th 2009

JOIN THE WAVE: MARCH IN LONDON ON 5 DECEMBER

As you may be aware, there is a climate change march named The Wave 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.

 

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 about 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.  
 
Please note that, although The Wave will disperse at approximately 3.30pm, you should anticipate that getting away from the site and out of central London may take significantly longer than usual.

A couple of reminders...

Please bring your cheque books along to Tuesday's meeting as you can renew for the Jan 2010 to Dec 2009 WI year. The price is £29.50 for a year of fun! Please make cheques out to N1WI - this is for renewals only … no new members as we will open in Jan for new members.

Also tickets will be on sale for our Happy New Year Party which will on Thursday Jan 28th at the Public House. Tickets are £10 and this includes a drink or two, private use of the space, and some food. This event is plus one so feel free to bring a partner or friends.

Finally - for all those heading to the Tower Of London this evening ... HAVE FUN!

October AGM

Hopefully all of you have been proudly wearing your gorgeous fascinators around the house and perhaps even to the odd party so a big, big thankyou to the brilliant Chloe Schrivener for coming in and giving us such a wonderful session last month.

This month is N1WI's Annual General Meeting where we will hold committee elections, discuss highlights of 2009 and look towards the future of our WI. We will have delicious food on offer thanks once again to the wonderful Linda and will also have a fantastic quiz to keep us on our toes.

Please also bring along any non-perishables for our Harvest Festival – all donations will be gratefully received by the Simon Community based in nearby Kentish Town.

There will be no meeting in November because the hall will be booked up for the mobile blood donor evening.  Please note that instead there will be a meeting on the 1st December which is the first tuesday in the month.  The meeting will have a Christmas theme, similar to last year and again we will be making and baking. Yay!

Look forward to seeing lots of members on Tuesday!

It's election time again...

The committee would like to issue a reminder to members that elections are coming up for President, Company Secretary and Treasurer.

If you would like to put yourself forward please notify a committee member at the September meeting in preparation for our AGM in October. 

Thanks

September's fabulous fascinators!

Yes it's the one we've all been waiting for! Our September meeting will give you the chance to design you own fascinator for all those upcoming weddings and Christmas parties. We will have a professional talking us through the steps and everyone will be provided with their own materials. These will include fabulous feathers and beautiful beads that will help you walk away with a headpiece worthy of the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker.  

As always there will be wine and soft drinks available so please join us for this 'fascinating' event!

See you there!

August Meeting Update

Hi all!

As you can probably see from your windows the sun is holding out but cardis may be in order for tonight!

We have decided to split the meeting between the park and the pub so we are inside after the sun goes down but still get a chance to have a quick game of rounders as a group. 

Unless we are faced with a storm the plan is as follows:

- Meeting at the normal time at the designated spot on Highbury Fields (see map below)

- Chatting, rounders, wine for an hour or so

- We head to the nearby Junction pub which does fantastic pizzas (we have hired a spot)

We will be going to the Junction at around 7:45pm so anyone who is arriving late may prefer to meet us there. 

Really hope to see lots of you there tonight and fingers crossed the rain stays away!!

Party in the Park!

Hello ladies!

This month we will be celebrating the glorious British summer with a trip to Highbury Fields - please, please don't head to our usual meeting place - we won't be there! Instead, make your way the grass behind the children's playground where we will be waiting - hopefully with some kind of flag! 

The plan is that we will play a spot of rounders in the sunshine or for the less energetic - simply relax on a rug with a glass of wine and some food - what could be nicer! However, if it does start to rain we will be decamping to the nearby Junction Pub on Highbury Corner. We will keep you posted on the plan during the day (dependent on the weather) so please do keep checking the website for updates. 

We also recommend you bring the following:

- A rug to sit on

- A bottle of water 

- A cardi in case it gets chilly

Once again, please check back the website regularly but fingers crossed we will see you there in the sunshine!  

For those who are unsure where we are meeting, check the map below:

N1WI gets a sweet tooth

Anthony Ferguson, of Niko B. Organic Chocolates, will join us for a journey through the somewhat controversial pairing of fine chocolate and wine. Some argue that you should never pair chocolate with wine, but what would life be without the ability to enjoy two of our most treasured foods, not only separately, but together? We will sample from Niko B.'s premium selection of chocolates paired with wines and then score the pairings. The experience is one that is as much about having fun as it is learning so there will be trivia mixed in with prizes for winners.

Like chocolate itself, Anthony has taken a long journey to the position of Master Chocolatier. A journey that also began in the Americas. It was 2001 when Anthony found himself at the end of a long and illustrious career in technology both as an engineer and a business manager. With the economy in shambles from the last economic shock, 9/11, Anthony found himself in a very difficult position. But beyond that, entrepreneurship beckoned. Anthony traveled throughout Europe search for ideas that intrigued him and he returned to San Francisco with the thoughts of chocolate, contemporary flavours and designs of chocolate.

Anthony then went through a rigorous training program and turned his dream into reality in 2003, with his first business venture, Cacao Anasa chocolates. Cacao Anasa grew to become a regional force in chocolate. But then along came Nikolas Bahari, his son and inspiration for Niko B. Organic Chocolates. With his birth in Jan 2008, he and his wife, a UK citizen, decided to relocate closer to his grandparents and other family. So they packed up and moved to the UK late last year and now have started their second chocolate business.

If you'd like to contact Anthony directly regarding product or special events (chocolate parties, weddings, etc) please call him directly on 07896259012. 

Mayor of Islington visits N1WI

The new Mayor of Islington Anna Berent is heading to N1WI to speak to the group about her life in politics and her plans for the future of the borough. A former journalist, research technician and environmental campaigner, 82-year-old Anna has lived in Mildmay for 25 years, becoming Liberal Democrat Councillor for the ward in 2002.

The active octogenarian lists walking, jogging and until recently rock-climbing as her hobbies. A passionate environmental champion, Cllr Berent's spirited campaign forced CTRL to route Eurostar trains through a tunnel instead of noisy surface tracks through the borough.  She also helped transform a rundown and crime-ridden green space on the Newington Green gyratory into a welcoming park and cafe for local families to enjoy year-round.

She says she is proud of her work on the organisation committee of the St Paul's Shrubbery Festival, which has been run every summer (bar one) for almost 20 years. Cllr Berent, the Older People's Champion for Islington, was Islington's Deputy Mayor and Chair of the East Area Planning Committee. 

Please come to the meeting armed with questions!!