Love your Libraries campaign Update

One of last year's national resolutions was a "Love your Libraries" campaign. It launched on Sept 16th, and here are a few reminders of how Stokey WI joined in

The campaign isn't over yet, so here's a few dates for the diary and more ideas for how to get involved:- 

National Libraries Day 4^th February 2011

All over the country plans are progressing for National Libraries Day on 4^th February. The day is a chance to celebrate our libraries, and to demonstrate how important they are to our communities. If you haven’t already organised an event, why not try one of these options?

• A ‘hug a library event’ - organise a human chain to form a ‘group hug’ around the library to demonstrate just how much it is valued
• A Love Libraries march to your public library or a rally – you might even want to dress as your favourite literary character
• Hold your WI meeting, or WI book group in your local library
• A library ‘read in’ event with local authors, or for children’s reading group

A website for the day has been launched where you can register your own event and find out what is going on around the country:

www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk

You can also find out more on Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Libraries-Day/323090687701341

Or follow on Twitter via @NatLibrariesDay

Join the Libraries Lobby Day on Tuesday 13^th March

The next stage of the Love Your Libraries campaign will be a lobby day in Parliament. Members are invited to come along on 13^th March to join a rally in support of libraries, and to meet with your local MP to explain why libraries are so important to you.

Full briefings will be provided, and there will be an opportunity to meet up with other WI members to share experiences. To find out more please contact Emma Lindsay in the Public Affairs Department on 020 7371 9300 (ext 213) or email e.lindsay@nfwi.org.uk.

Libraries Embroidery Project

“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library” Jorge Luis Borges

WI members are invited to embroider their favourite literary quotation to illustrate the importance of libraries to our lives. The quotation can be taken from any work of literature or poetry, and any technique of hand or machine embroidery may be used.

The best submissions will be showcased at Denman College and the Autumn National Council meeting later in 2012.

Guidelines

To enter, you must embroider your favourite literary quotation onto material no larger than A3. Entries must be framed, but need not be glazed.

·   The quotation can be taken from any novel or poem.

·   The quotation should be embroidered on any type of fabric.

·   The entry should be no larger than A3 in size.

·   You may use any type of machine or hand embroidery.

·   Entries must be framed to enable hanging, but need not be glazed.

·   Entries must be clearly labelled with the competitor’s name, address, contact telephone number and WI.

·   Entries can either be posted or delivered by hand to the NFWI, 104 New King’s Road, London, SW6 4LY.

To enter the competition please e mail us for an entry form stokenewingtonwi@gmail.com

Prize

The winning entry will receive £50 of book tokens.

Timeline

Deadline for entry forms 1st March.

Deadline for completed entries: 31^st April 2012

Winners announced 14^th May 2012.

Best entries displayed at Denman College June-September 2012

Entries showcased at Autumn National Council meeting October 2012.

National federation resolutions-please vote asap

Vote now for the 2012 National Federation Resolutions

As members of a national organisation we get to vote every year on the resolutions the whole of the WI will focus on.
Please only vote if you haven't already posted the form in your last WI Life Magazine
You can only vote for one resolution, and the federation will choose the 2 most popular topics for this year

Voting closes soon...



Resolution Shortlist
 
1. Field study centres and outdoor education
At a time when understanding of the complexity of environmental issues is paramount, the WI opposes the closure of outdoor and field study centres, depriving future generations of schoolchildren of their recognised academic and social benefits.
 
2. Airborne litter
The NFWI urges Her Majesty's Government to legislate against the sale and release of sky (Chinese) lanterns and the mass release of balloons because of the damage that can be done to animals, crops and property.
 
3. Reducing fuel poverty
The NFWI urges Her Majesty's Government to address fuel poverty.
 
4. Employment of more midwives
There are chronic shortages of midwives. The NFWI calls on the Government to increase investment in the training, employment and retention of midwives in England and Wales to ensure services are adequately resourced and are able to deliver a high standard of care.
 
5. Achieving legal status for British Sign Language as an indigenous minority language in the UK The WI urges Her Majesty's Government to give British Sign Language (BSL) the same legal status and protection as other regional and minority languages (e.g. Welsh and Gaelic).
 
6. Helmets for cyclists
The NFWI urges Her Majesty's Government to make the wearing of helmets when cycling a legal requirement.
 


Vote now by clicking on the survey link in the e mail reminder you were sent last week,or filling out the form in the last WI Life Mag

Brilliant night of burlesque Life drawing at the Prince Pub

Any back to work blues us ladies may have felt, were swept away at January's Burlesque life drawing class. Over 30 ladies attended,  many of them new faces eager to get drawing and have some fun.

A big shout out to Gail, who teaches art at Stoke Newington School for leading the session. Another big thanks to the fabulous Mary, who generously collected and brought along all the loaned art materials from the school. They were heavy, and she kindly drove everything to the event. Finally a fabulous big thanks to our model for the night Honey Wilde aka Kirsty Gilmore who is a fabulous political burlesque performer, a life model and a sound engineer, and who brought a touch of glamour to the evening.

The evening started with some blind drawing techniques, and much laughter!
Kirsty was delicately laid across a table....

The second technique we learnt was using charcoal, and i regretted sitting between a professional costume designer, and a milliner, who both rendered some fabulous drawings.

Finally we worked with water soluble pens, and used washes of water to create shading and texture in our drawings. 

What amazing pics everyone did!

Kirsty our model regularly performs across london and the UK as a comic, political burlesque model. If you'd like to catch one of her shows you can check her schedule here http://www.honeywilde.co.uk/

We're super lucky that in Stoke Newington we have a couple of great places to take life drawing classes. So if you fancy having some fun drawing, or want to improve your skills in a super cool chilled bar with a cheeky cocktail, then check out the Baby Bath House candlelit class on Thursdays.

Beat The January blues with Burlesque Life drawing

January can be such a depressing month!

So to beat the blues, why not join us on Jan 9th for a night of fun and life drawing. You don't need to have done any drawing before, it's just a night of fun. There will be a small donation on the night of £3 for members and £5 for non members to cover the cost of materials,the model and art leader. Drinks can be purchased at the bar of the Prince pub

We have a truely fabulous Burlesque artist posing in costume for us,  Kirsty Gilmore. Here's a little about our talented model..

Kirsty Gillmore splits her life between two very different businesses which reflect a passion for creativity and the arts. Performing as Honey Wilde, "The Iron Lady of Burlesque" since 2008, she has won fans around the UK and across the Atlantic with her quirky comic burlesque performances, specialising in the revival and reinvention of unique characters. In 2010 she was named as one of the Top 100 Burlesque Performers worldwide and in 2011 she took her signature Margaret Thatcher act to the 9th Annual New York Burlesque Festival. See more of Honey at http://www.honeywilde.co.uk

Tom Mac Photography

Mat Ricardo Photography

As owner and operator of her second business, "Sounds Wilde", Kirsty works as a sound designer and sound engineer, providing creative sound services to creative people. In 2011 her projects included designing the sound for a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, creating a soundtrack for a catwalk show for London Fashion Week and launching a portable voice reel service for actors and voice artists. There's more about Sounds Wilde at: http://soundswilde.com

We have a local art teacher who will be assisting us with our drawing skills, and she is kindly bringing along all the materials we'll need too!

So come along for an evening of creativity, fun and wine!

Jan 9th- 8 pm to 10 pm upstairs at the Prince pub on Kynaston Road

RSVP here so we know numbers

Members- please note that subs are now due, so bring along a cheque or cash of £31.50 on the night.

A very Merry Christmas Party with the Stoke Newington WI

The Stokey Wi party was held upstairs at the prince pub on Dec 14th, and it was a crackingly good night! There was mulled wine and delicious nibbles, lots of laughs, chats and amazing raffle prizes along with a treat filled game of pass the parcel...

 Mid way through the wrapping of the parcel, created by our Arty wonder Lucy

 Pass the parcel in action..

 Prize winners celebrating!

 A raffle prize winner

 Mary winning the wonderful metal crumble jewellry prize

 Sue with the delightful rabbit tea-light prize donated by Picture this on Church street

 And Mary is a double winner with a free meal!

 Maggie was so excited to win the Stokey picture donated by Local Artist Beyond Thrilled

Roll up Roll Up For the Great Stokey WI Christmas raffle

Wow,

We are so excited that so many Stokey businesses have donated some great prizes for both the pass the parcel and the raffle on monday! It really has been overwhelming how generous our business neighbours have been.

So the raffle......

There are 6 fabulous prizes, tickets are 50 p each and you can buy up to ten! These items are in no particular value order, so we've given them names

The Kent Prize-

Donated by a local artist Beyond Thrilled this very covetable local themed print is brilliant. We may not get this colour, but all the prints are a similar theme. If you don't win this great print, then you can always buy one here
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77852657/vintage-style-screenprint-poster-visit

The Sussex Prize
Local Hotel Avo have donated a ticket for a Coca club Cocktail launch party on Dec 15th. How can the delicious combination of chocolate, cocktails and deserts be anything but sublime!

The Hertfordshire prize
Pictures and light who don't have their own website, are a fabulous secondhand shop selling mostly Pictures and lights!

 

They are located on 41 Stoke Newington Church Street, and they've Donated a lovely vintage rabbit night light. If you fancy sourcing some pre-loved Christmas Gifts then why not pop in?
Give them a buzz on 020 7923 7923


The Bedfordshire prize
Metal crumble make delicious and unusual jewellry. We're really excited that they are making something especially for this raffle! You'll have to come along on monday to see it though...
This is one of their lovely designs

The Gloucester Prize

Local Turkish Cafe Dervish have donated us one of their generous sized free breakfasts - 

Read their great reviews here

The Essex Prize

A signed copy of Scandilicious by Signe Johansen. This is a delightful book on cooking in scandinavian style, and has been the top cook book of the year in the guardian

However if you don't win a raffle prize then don't be dissapointed! We have a pass the parcel prize for everyone, some are fabulous, some are fun and some are well booby prizes. So wether or not it's  a sprout or a painting, we'll all be winners on monday! 

The Booby prize?

To attend our night of Christmas sparkle and 40's cheer, please register using the button below

Christmas Sparkle and some 1940's cheer

On Dec 12th The Stoke Newington Women's institute is hosting it's December Meeting as a 1940's night of Christmas Cheer upstairs at the Prince Pub, 59 Kynaston road, N16 OEB

The Theme is "Sparkle" so wear anything, even eyeshadow or a teeny earring that has some sparkle....

There will be some delightful 40's music

A glass of mulled wine on arrival( non alcoholic version too) with a home baked mince pie

Bring your own handmade newspaper Christmas decorations

A raffle of some amazing prizes including many donated from local Stokey Businesses

Pass the parcel where everyone's a winner of something.....

Please RSVP through this ticket booking system so we can get an idea of numbers

Event Registration Online for Stokey WI - Christmas sparkles, wine, laughter and 1940's cheer! powered by Eventbrite

A fabulous Knitters paradise in the heart of Stokey

Knit With Attitude a knitting paradise in a teeny corner of Stoke Newington

We just had to find out about the amazing little shop. Not only do many of our members love knitting, but the shop oozes individuality and we were curious to find out who was the brainchild behind it all.

Maya Linn Bang, the person behind Knit with attitude, kindly took some time out to tell us about the shop, and is the first of the local businesses we plan to feature on our local news and reviews page

SNWI When did you start knitting?
Maya When asked this question I normally answer that I've been knitting my whole life, but to be accurate I think I must have been about 4 years old when I started.

SNWI How long has knit with attitude been running?
Maya Well, Knit with attitude has been an online shop for a few years proceeding to a market stall at Spitalfields Market two years ago, and finally opening as a bricks and mortar shop in October 2010.

SNWI What inspired you to set up knit with attitude?
Maya My professional and academic background is within filmmaking and back in Norway I used to make films about social and environmental issues. I spent a year in London as part of doing my MA in Mediaproduction and was amazed by the lack of good knitting shops in this huge city. When moving to London for good I was convinced that I could communicate about environmental issues through knitting, which for me is an activity that represents ideals concerning consumption and are very innovative coming to organic and ethical productions compared to fashion and clothes production generally.

SNWI What drew you to Stoke Newington?
Maya As I mentioned I'd already stayed a year in London earlier and did at that time also live in Stoke Newington. A huge reason for my family and me to decide to come back for good was that we fell in love with the area and the sense of community that can be found here.

SNWI What first fired up your passion for knitting?
Maya I guess the logic of knitting, the mathematical aspect of it. Knitting is like cracking codes and it stimulates your brain. Did you know that knitting is one of few activities where you actually are using both sides of the brain simultaniously? Yes, I'm a knitting geek, I know.

SNWI What's unique about knit with arttitude?
Maya Knit with attitude is a specialist shop focusing on ethical and/or environmentally friendly yarns, I also like to believe that the level of service and help you will get by visiting my shop adds to it's uniqueness.

SNWIWool like fabric seems much more expensive these days, what tips have you got for knitters on a budget?
Maya Well to be honest, I believe that this has to do with peoples frame of mind really, the way you consume, and when it comes to yarn and fabrics you definitely get what you pay for. When people assume that handknits should be cheaper than mass produced and much likely not very earth friendly clothing as in "I can get a much cheaper sweater from the High Street" I get quite frustrated. Unfortunately ethical and environmentally friendly productions can not be cheap, to get cheap you would have to exploit either or both of those aspects. When this is said, compare what you would spend for two hours of entertainment at the cinema and how much constructive time you would get out of one hank of wool, it suddenly isn't that expensive is it? Also I think it is important to remember the quality of handknits, a hand knitted garment will last "for ever" and can be handed on for generations. Now where can you find that on the High Street? Being on a budget, I would consider the fibers I use, you can get the most gorgeous organic cotton or pure sheep wool which are far less expensive than the mixed fibers like silk/alpaca blends.

SNWI Do you run workshops for people that have never knitted before? And what would you reccomend as a starting project for an absolute beginner?
Maya Yes I do run workshops for beginners and people that would like to improve too.
I know what I definitely wouldn't recommend for a beginner, and that is the (dreaded) scarf. What a way to kill your motivation. A scarf has to be long and takes ages for a beginner to complete, having learned the basic stitches it also eventually becomes utterly boring. No, start with something small, like fingerless gloves, a mobile phone cover, pot holders, and so on. Something small that teaches you the basic and goes quickly so you'll soon be able to progress and move into more exciting adventures.

SNWI What's your own personal knitting project at the moment.
Maya Actually I'm not knitting but crocheting like a maniac to have my Christmas window decorations done, the question is if i'll be able to have them up before New Years!

The shop is so pretty, and we're really happy that we know a little more about Maya, great to see new businesses that are focused on the environment and the ethical side of fashion too!

The shop is located at

228b Stoke Newington High Street

(entry from Northwold Road)

London N16 7HU

http://www.knitwithattitude.com/shop/default/

You can also follow Maya on twitter here

New Committee, new times ahead!

Monday night saw a very very successful Annual Meeting. With a new committee in place of ladies bursting with ideas and enthusiasm, it's going to be a good year ahead. I will continue as president, joined by CL as Vice President/Secretary, Anna Kidd as Treasurer. Things are looking good for Stoke Newington WI.....

We had a lot of new faces turn up to say hello, have a glass of wine and chat which is really what it's all about.

2012 Membership is now open and if you join now you get Decembers meeting rolled in for free! You can find the form on this blogspot or click here to make it really easy!
http://stokenewingtonwi.blogspot.com/p/membership-application-form.html

Our next meeting is on Monday 12th December at The Prince, where we'll have festive fun - more details to follow.

I'd just like to say a big thank you to the committee who have stepped down and did such a great job in providing the foundation for what I know will be a very successful WI.

Keeping checking the blogspot for more details on our Christmas get together.

Kate
x

Next Meeting Monday 14th Nov- some literary exchanges and getting to know one another

Just a quick catch up!

We are hoping to see lots of lovely new members and visitors next week, how many times have you been to an event as a stranger and felt a little left out because everyone else seems to know one another? I know that personally i can feel a little anxious about turning up without knowing anyone, and i hate breaking up conversations to introduce myself.

One of the key reasons to attend a WI meeting, is to make friends. So on November 14th, we will get the meeting started with a little "speed Networking" to meet everyone. On arrival you'll all be given a name badge with a colour. We'll get two groups together in pairs, an you'll have 2 mins to introduce yourselves to one another, then we'll switch pairs and meet someone else. This is just a bit of fun, and hopefully we'll all get to meet someone we've never before had a chance to chat to, even if we've been members for ages.

As another way of getting conversation going next monday, we're running a book swap, please bring along a book you've loved, so someone else can love it too. Any books that don't find a new owner will be donated to the library, so everyone wins!

Looking forward to seeing you all next week.