November Review

Wylye Women WI Lite hosted an entertaining and instructive card making demonstration this month. We were let loose with various types of card and paper, peel off stickers, ribbons, tags, stamps and decoupage, and enjoyed learning a new skill with expert card maker and author on the subject, Lynda Warren. If you happen to know any of our members, you might be a lucky recipient this Christmas!

Our next meeting is our annual Christmas wreath making on 30th November at 8 pm in Sutton Veny Village Hall. All welcome - Everyone will need to bring their own copper wreath ring and floristry wire and armfuls of greenery.

Please note there is no regular meeting on Dec 7th as we will be hitting Salisbury for a night of Christmas Comedy. Our New Year Programme kicks off again on February 1st 2012- with a life drawing class(!)

The Wylye Women WI Lite invite you to our next meeting

Creative Card Making Workshop

Wed November 2nd, Sutton Veny Village Hall 8pm 
 

In order to give everyone an opportunity to make three styles of cards to keep, rather than just watch a demonstration of the basic techniques, there is a need for us to cover the costs of materials.

• £1.50 material costs to members (we will cover the other half for you) + free entry
• £3 material costs to non-members (+ the usual £4 entrance fee on the door). If you do not wish to make cards on the night, you are most welcome just to watch.

If you are not yet a member, the good news is you can join on the night. Bring £31.50 (cash/cheque) and you're in for the rest of this year and the whole of 2012.

Also don't forget to fill and bring along a shoebox filled with simple gifts and goodies for Operation Christmas Child- for children who need them most in some of the toughest parts of the world. Thanks

See you there x

Lebanese Recipes from Wafaa

Last night we met the fabulous Wafaa whose passion for all things Lebanese was infectious. She managed to sell us Beirut as a holiday destination, so that's saying something! I was badgered for the recipes before the evening was over, so without further ado... here they are:

Fattouch:

Serve 4 people

Ingredients

2 peppers,

5 medium tomatoes,

half cucumber,

half lettuce,

1 onion,

2 lemons,

Small bunch of fresh mint and parsley,

Salt,

Olive oil

2 tortillas bread grilled.

Grill the tortillas in the oven, when cool crack into small pieces and set aside.

Wash and dice peppers, tomatoes, cucumber and onion.

Then chop lettuce, mint and parsley.

Mix all ingredients in a salad bawl. Add salt and lemon juice to your taste. Just before you serve add the olive oil and grilled tortillas

Chicken with bulgur wheat   (Dfeen)

For 4 people

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts cut into small cubes, or 3 chicken legs

250g bulgur wheat

1 tin chickpeas

50g butter

Salt and pepper

Recipe:

Put chicken pieces, pepper and butter in a pot and brown turning few times for few minutes, cover with water and bring to the boil till the chicken is cooked, approximately 10 minutes.

If using chicken legs: put chicken in pot and boil for 5 minutes then discard the water and replace with clean fresh water. Add a small peeled onion cut in half, few cardamom pods and 1cinnamon stick. Boil till the chicken is cooked thoroughly. Get the chicken out of pot and when cool separate the meat from the rest. Strain the water from the pot to use is the cooking.

In a pot add the rinsed content of chickpeas tin to 2 cups of the water saved from cooking the chicken and the chicken meat. Let boil for 5 minutes.

Add the bulgur wheat with 2 cups of water and season to your liking. Add butter. Boil on medium heat for 10 minutes or until the bulgur wheat is cooked (keep checking for water, add water or stock if necessary). When all ingredients are cooked take the lid off and simmer till the water evaporate.

Serve with yogurt salad

Yogurt salad

1 tub greek yogurt

Half cucumber chopped into small pieces

Small bunch of fresh mint, chopped finely

1 big garlic clove, crushed

Pinch of

salt

Add bit of water

Mix all ingredients and enjoy as a side dish or as a refreshing snack

Enjoy!

October Newsletter

I can't believe I am writing our October newsletter full of news on Christmas when we are having the most gloriously hot and sunny weekend and the kids are getting the paddling pool out! But I'm not complaining- hope you made the most of it too!


Really looking forward to the meeting this Wednesday October 5^th, 8 pm: Lebanese Cooking with Waafa. Just back from a trip to her homeland, Waafa will be demonstrating some delicious traditional Lebanese dishes. We will be assisting and of course tasting as we go. You might want to take notes if you feel inspired but we'll try to publish recipes on these pages after the meeting. All welcome, and if you or a friend are not yet a member of our lovely WI, join in October and get two extra months + the whole of 2012. Bring your chequebook!


We would also encourage you to bring along any unwanted (but fabulous) books for our newly revived book stall this week. Hannah has donated the old books to charity and we are starting afresh. So have a clear out and make room on your bookshelves for all the bargains you'll pick up on Wednesday -50p a book.


At the end of September we announced the details of our Christmas outing-  dinner and then comedy with Chris Addison live at Salisbury City Hall on Wednesday 7th December. There are still tickets available from the box office so it's not too late if you want to come along. Can we also kindly remind all those who have already booked their ticket with Melanie to please bring along £21.50 to the meeting on Wednesday. Please also note: We couldn't have our members go without their annual wreath making night so we have slotted in an extra date for you- it is now Wednesday 30th November in the village hall. More info to follow.

I'm off to update the WI events pages now so if you want more inspirational outings, crafting activities and events, check out whats on over the next month.

See you Wednesday!

What did we do in September?

At the last meeting of WI Lite, two different women took the stage and the result was a really enlightening evening.

The first was Hillary, a volunteer from Samaritans Purse, who outlined the wonderful Operation Christmas Child gift-box scheme. There were several moments where I’m certain there was not a dry eye in the house as she gave personal testimony of the grateful recipients. My own children and I now plan to fill and wrap a couple of boxes for donation during October half term, which will then be collected at our November meeting.

Part two of the evening was given over to local author Frances Garrood who’s own life works were put into print after entering Richard and Judy’s “How to Get Published” competition. She described writing as a passion and alongside careers in nursing and counselling, four children and tragically widowhood at an early age, she has always written. She encouraged any budding writers amongst us to just write, anything and everything, from letters to internet blogs to get the creative juices flowing. Her agent is now seeking a publisher for her latest work- so watch this space.

Wed October 5^th, 8 pm is Lebanese Cooking with Waafa! Join the WI in October and get two extra months + the whole of 2012.

September Newsletter

In mid August, ten of our lovely members, some new and some who have been regulars for a few years, met to help plan the whole of 2012. It's the first time we've planned a year like that and it was great. Once again we threw aside the WI official speakers list.... hopefully you’ll love what we have planned! Just need to confirm the presenters now, so watch this space.

Happily, we can already confirm that the wonderfully talented Gaynor Ringland, a mixed media artist with whom we made a flock of lovely little felt birdie brooches earlier this year, will be coming back next year to help us create more beautiful objects using the nicest fabrics, paper and bits and bobs. 

Before that though, Gaynor is keen to start a local monthly craft club (for grown ups!) as well as put on kids crafting workshops in the 2011 Halloween Half Term and future school holidays. She is planning them now and would love to get an idea of numbers / days / times so please do contact her to express an interest in any of the above via gaynor.ringland@btinternet.com.

And if you missed our recent pottery experience, or want to get your hands dirty again, you might be interested in a session or two at the Ginger Piggery Boyton. Vicky Whelpton, a familiar face from past WI meetings, runs regular classes at her studio in Boyton and has also suggested that WI members might be interested in an evening session at the workshop to have a go at making. Contact krukkerceramics@hotmail.com for more.

And so, the Wylye Women invite you to our next meeting…

This summer why not read a book by local Devizes author Frances Garrood, in preparation for meeting her on Wednesday September 7th. Frances was runner up in the Richard and Judy "How to Get Published" competition, and has since been successfully published by Macmillan, so any budding novelists might like to take notes!

(Please note: the September meeting starts at the earlier time of 7:30 as we are also welcoming a representative from The Samaritans Purse who will be outlining their wonderful annual Operation Christmas Child gift-box scheme.)

See you there,

Lyndsey and the WI Lite Committee x

Love Your Libraries!

The Women's Institute is always actively campaigning on a national level. The latest issue the whole WI are tackling is library closures with our Love Your Library campaign. 

There are a few things you can do to support this campaign:


Carry your library card with pride! At the heart of the campaign is the belief that libraries are essential resources that are too important to risk losing. That's why we're calling on every member that cares about public libraries to take the simple first step of joining your local library and getting to know your local librarians.


Your local libraries are:  Warminster Library, Westbury Library, Calne Library & Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Frome Library,Trowbridge Library, Wilton Library, Salisbury Library, Corsham Library, Bath Central Library (The Podium), Gillingham Library, Chippenham Library, Corsham Library


All have more than just books. Rent DVDs, Audiobooks, CDs, go in for a coffee and read the paper, do a sewing course or learn a new skill to add to your CV.


Sign the petition! Before the last election, the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP said he planned to introduce a scheme whereby any petition that raised 100,000 signatures would trigger a debate in the House of Commons. The NFWI wants to call on the PM to honour this commitment and we'd like to see every member sign our petition with their family and friends to demonstrate just how much the WI really values our libraries.

The WI have just launched an online version of the petition, on the Government's new e-petitions website, so please do go to the link below and sign, and pass on to friends and family. 

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1269

Write to your councillors Individuals and WI groups can make an impact. Please use the information in the campaign briefing,  to write to your local councillor highlighting the Love Your Library campaign, and expressing the importance of libraries to your local community.You can find contact details for your local councillor via this website http://www.writetothem.com/.

Here is the NFWI say about the campaign:

Do remember to localise your letter - if you know that libraries are under threat then please do incorporate this information, and any feedback from members about the impact service reductions would have on them.

It is also important that we establish a picture of the proposals for closures and changes to library services in all areas, so please do ask what plans the council has for changes to library services in your area. If the council has already published plans, then please ask for an update and feed this information back to the WI Public Affairs Department.

What did we do in August?

This month was New Members Night for WI Lite, and some lovely new faces joined our members on a hot and humid summer night for a real taste of what WI Lite is all about. Chef Jude and Liz from Riverford Organics Wiltshire cooked some tasty recipes with lots of seasonal vegetables. Our members ably assisted in the preparation- we all want a gadget like Donna had for chopping tomatoes!- And we heard the history behind Riverford's successful Box Scheme and the provenance of the produce. There was also lots of opportunity for catching up and making new friends afterwards as we tasted all we'd made. 

This summer we are all reading the books by local Devizes author Frances Garrood (check out the great  reviews on Amazon) in preparation for meeting her on Wednesday September 7th.  (Please note the Sept meeting starts at the earlier time of 7:30 as we are also welcoming a representative from The Samaritans Purse who will be outlining their wonderful annual Operation Christmas Child gift-box scheme. )

Enjoy the hols!

August Newsletter

July saw the WI Liters finishing their last of 3 clay workshops, funded by a PAWS grant. The group has thoroughly enjoyed spending time with talented and eager potter Geraldine Francis. As well as getting covered in clay, we have each discovered our inner artist. Geraldine is bringing back our finished wall plaques, bird baths and decorative dishes at our August meeting and everyone will be able to see what we’ve been up to.

             

We also had a fabulous day out at Sutton Veny Flower Show on July 9th raising valuable funds for future meetings, as well as profile raising and reaching out to new members. Lots of lovely ladies came over to say hello and we look forward to greeting them at our upcoming meetings.

So with that in mind - Wednesday 3^rd August is Riverford Organics and NEW MEMBERS night-  All welcome!

Chef Jude will be cooking with seasonal fruit and vegetables.  As well as the opportunity to assist and taste everything, you’ll hear the history behind Riverford's successful Box scheme, and the provenance of the produce.  8pm Sutton Veny Village Hall, please bring an apron, knife and chopping board!

September: Devizes Author Frances Garrood-

(You might like to read one of her books this summer before we meet her- 5 *  reviews on Amazon!)

October: Lebanese Cooking with Waafa

November: Home Made Christmas Cards

December: Wreath Making & Festive Fun!

Until then, love and gooseberry jam,

Lyndsey and the WI Lite Committee x

Welcome to our World!

Welcome to the new Wylye Women WI Lite blog. From this month we have decided to change to a new blog style website. It will still have all the usual information, what's on, what's been happening and how to get involved.

We will also be publishing our monthly newsletters here and anything else which we think might be of interest to all of you. We welcome any feedback from you on this new format and any suggestions of what content you might like to see included. If you have a google account you can also comment on individual posts. Just click on the comment button at the bottom.