Welcome to London West End WI

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Food Hygiene Course - Feb 5th 2011

The Royal Society for the Promotion of Health Food Safety & Catering level 2

When: Saturday 5th February   10am-3.30pm

Cost: £25 for WI members, £30 for non-members


As many WI sell homemade produce to raise funds it is important that as many members as possible obtain a Certificate in Food Hygiene. Courses usually cost between £60 - £75 at local colleges or £30 online.

London West End WI have organised a WI Food Hygiene Course and all WI members and non-members are welcome to attend. The tutor will be Betty Dominy who is the official Surrey Federation Food Hygiene Tutor and the course will be held at the Seven Dial club (refreshments & bar food available)

The cost includes the Food Hygiene Booklet, tuition and Exam. The Booklet and exam papers are in sealed envelopes and are available in various languages so please let us know if you require an exam paper and booklet in another language other than English.

Ideally we would like you to pay for your course fees via the paypal link on londonwestendwi.blogspot.com

Cheques: payable to “London West End WI” sent to Secretary LWEWI, 10 Russell Chambers, Bury Place,
London WC1A 2JS further information email londonwestendwi@gmail.com

Friday 14 January 2011

Updated Dates for the Diary Jan / Feb 2011

Hi Ladies

Happy New Year, apologies that we had to cancel our talk from the herbalist Jacqui from Neal's Yard in December. Hopefully we will have better weather when we reschedule her for later in 2011

We start 2011 with a fabulous talk from Professor Butterworth from UCL on Tuesday January 18th, he will be talking about the Large Hadron Collider. We hope this talk will be of interest to those interested in Science and will spark an interest in those less so.

This should be the first of an exciting programme that the LWWI committee are trying to put together for 2011.

Other highlights coming up which you should note are our next Sewing group meeting is Tuesday Feb 1st at the seven Dials Club in Covent Garden from 6:00 get there when you can. Vanessa and Helena who are organising the WI quilt we hope to make this year will be explaining further about the project. Pls do come along even if you are a beginner and have never sewn or made a quilt.

We also have on Saturday Feb 5th 2011 the Food Hygiene Course, cost £30 per person to members (LWWI are subsidising the course) it is possible to pay for the course either at the January meeting or via paypal.

On Saturday Feb 12th 2011 we are organising a Jam/Marmalade making session at St George's. Further details to follow shortly. Please email londonwestendwi@gmail.com if you plan to come along so we have an idea of numbers and can send you more details closer to the time.

Our WI Membership fees are due for 2011, £30per annum. Pls either pay via paypal or bring your payment to one of our monthly WI meetings.

Other dates for the diary for January and February 2011 are:

Niki Segnit - The Flavour Thesaurus Thursday, January 20th  7.00 pm  £5/£3 concessions

Entrance fee includes a glass of wine.  Ticket is redeemable for £2 discount on author's book.

Writer Niki Segnit shares the joy of culinary journeys in this palate-tantalising talk.  Ms. Segnit had not so much as peeled a potato until her early twenties when, almost by accident, she discovered that she loved cooking.  She was inspired to write The Flavour Thesaurus when she noticed how dependent she was on recipes.  As she says:  “Following the instructions in a recipe is like parroting pre-formed sentences from a phrasebook.  Forming an understanding of how flavours work together, on the other hand, is like learning the language; it allows you to express yourself freely, to improvise, to find appropriate substitutions for ingredients, to cook a dish the way you fancy cooking it.” 

The result is a compendium of flavour pairings which offers endless diversion and inspiration.  In this lively, easy to follow, and exceptionally enjoyable book, Niki Segnit takes 99 popular ingredients and explores the ways they might be combined in the kitchen.


‘An original and inspiring resource’ Heston Blumenthal
‘Intriguing, surprising and remarkably useful’ Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

To book: http://www.woolfsonandtay.com/niki-segnit.htmlor or ring Woolfson & Tay on 0207 407 9316.

Woolfson & Tay Bookshop, Cafe, & Gallery, 12 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN http://www.woolfsonandtay.com/  Tel 0207 407 9316

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Bees
Jenny Anderson our membership secretary sent us the following info which she asked us to share with members and interested women about the Bees which is one of the Women's Institute's Main Projects

Dear friends,

Bees are dying off worldwide and our entire food chain is in peril. Scientists blame toxic pesticides and four European governments have already banned them. If we get the US and the EU to join the ban, other governments across the world could follow, and save bees from extinction. Sign the petition and forward this urgent appeal:

Sign the petition
Silently, billions of bees are dying off and our entire food chain is in danger. Bees don't just make honey, they are a giant, humble workforce, pollinating 90% of the plants we grow.

Multiple scientific studies fault one group of toxic pesticides for their rapid demise, and bee populations have soared in four European countries that have banned these products. But powerful chemical companies are lobbying hard to keep selling this poison. Our best chance to save bees now is to push the US and EU to ban this deadly product -- their action is critical and will have a ripple effect on the rest of the world.

We have no time to lose -- the debate is raging about what to do. This is not just about saving bumble bees, this is about survival. Let’s build a giant global buzz calling for the EU and US to outlaw these killer chemicals and save our bees and our food. Sign the emergency petition now and send it onto to everyone and we’ll deliver it to key decision makers:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?vl

Bees are vital to life on earth -- every year pollinating plants and crops with an estimated $40bn value, over one third of the food supply in many countries. Without immediate action to save bees we could end up with no fruit, no vegetables, no nuts, no oils and no cotton.

Recent years have seen a steep and disturbing global decline in bee populations -- some bee species are now extinct and others are at just 4% of their previous numbers. Scientists have been scrambling for answers. Some studies claim the decline may be due to a combination of factors including disease, habitat loss and toxic chemicals. But leading independent research has produced strong evidence blaming neonicotinoid pesticides. This has led to beekeepers and scientists in France, Italy, Slovenia and even Germany, where the main manufacturer Bayer is based, already pushing successfully for bans of one of these bee killers. Meanwhile, Bayer continues to export its poison across the world.

This issue is now coming to the boil as major new studies have confirmed the scale of this problem. If we can get European and US decision-makers to take action, others will follow. It won’t be easy. A leaked document shows that the US Environmental Protection Agency knew about the pesticide’s dangers, but ignored them. The document says Bayer’s "highly toxic" product is a "major risk concern to non target insects (honey bees)".

We need to make our voices heard to counter Bayer’s very strong influence on policy makers and scientists in both the US and the EU where they fund the studies and sit on policy bodies. The real experts -- the beekeepers and farmers -- want these deadly pesticides prohibited until and unless we have solid, independent studies that show they are safe. Let's support them now. Sign the petition below, then forward this email:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?vl

We can no longer leave our delicate food chain in the hands of research run by the chemical companies and the regulators that are in their pockets. Banning this pesticide will move us closer to a world safe for ourselves and the other species we care about and depend on.

With hope,

Alex, Alice, Iain, David and all at Avaaz

MORE INFORMATION

Bee decline could be down to chemical cocktail interfering with brains
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/22/chemicals-bees-decline-major-study?INTCMP=SRCH

Bee briefing
http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RXLEm9WXrHk%3D&tabid=439

$15 Billion Bee Murder Mystery Deepens
http://www.businessinsider.com/colony-collapse-disorder-still-unsolved-lead-researcher-had-connections-to-bayer-2010-10

“Nicotine Bees" Population Restored With Neonicotinoids Ban
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/nicotine-bees-population-restored-with-neonicotinoids-ban.php

EPA memo reveals concern that pesticide causes bee deaths
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=79910

Beekeepers want government to pull pesticide
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/beekeepers-want-government-to-pull-pesticide-1107701.html

British Beekeepers' Association to stop endorsing bee-killing pesticides http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/nov/16/beekeepers-end-pesticide-endorsement?INTCMP=SRCH

Pesticide industry involvement in EU risk assessment puts survival of bees at stake
http://www.corporateeurope.org/agribusiness/news/2010/11/16/pesticide-industry-future-bees


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London's Air Ambulance is holding its first ever Frock Swap on Wednesday 2nd February 2011 at the Great Hall at St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield.  Suzanne Clements of Clements Ribeiro will be our special guest and will donate an outfit from her collection.

The Great Hall is said to be one of the finest public rooms in London with its approach via the Grand Staircase and Hogarth murals and is a superb venue.   We will have the huge log fire lit for the evening.

As well as swishing and coming away with stunning items, ladies will be able to enjoy cakes and wine and enter the luxury draw with the chance to win some fantastic prizes including: a package of Benefit Cosmetics, haircuts, pampering sessions, etc.


London's Air Ambulance hopes to raise substantial monies from the event as well as to promote its work to a female audience in London.  Many of our paramedics and doctors are women.

Francesca Savage
London's Air Ambulance
Registered Charity Number: 801013

(T): 020 7943 1302
(E):www.londonsairambulance.com
(A) The Helipad, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London. E1 1BB

Frock Swap, The Great Hall, Barts. Wednesday 2nd February 2011
Great Spitalfields Pancake Race, Brick Lane. Tuesday 8th March 2011
Charity Abseil, Canary Wharf. Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May 2011

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Not for Profits Markets open in SW London
One of our members Jennifer Makin is responsible for two not for profit markets serving the community in Chelsea. She writes: We are financially supported by the NHS and our aim is to encourage people to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables as a means of ensuring good health and well being.

Our markets take place on Wednesdays at Chelsea Theatre, World's End Place, King's Road and on Thursdays at New Horizons on the Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, SW3. 

The markets are run by volunteers and if anyone is interested in spending a few hours a week helping us I would love to hear from you.  The markets are quite small and offer customers the chance to buy as little or as much fruit/veg as they want at wholesale prices and with no excess packaging, no supermarket queues and a very personal service.  

Volunteers work in a friendly and supportive team and we are looking for people with good people skills and who are numerate.   The job entails helping people make healthy choices, weighing produce and using a till.  We  welcome imaginative ideas to help us improve and expand our service.

If you are interested please get in  touch...

Thanks in advance.

Yours sincerely

Jennifer Makin


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Television opportunity 19th Feb

TalkbackThames, the makers of The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent are filming a pilot for an exciting new quiz show and you can be part of it! Come and ‘WALK THE LINE’! They sent us an email asking if we had any members who might be interested.

They wrote: we are filming inside the O2 Arena, London on Saturday 19th February and we want you and your friends and family to come and take part – and you’ll be in with a chance to win £1000!

All you need to do is queue up to have a go at the game and simply answer 5 questions right in a row to win the jackpot - plus there will be other exciting twists and turns on the day. Queuing has never been so much fun! 

To register your interest, please email us at walktheline@talkbackthames.tv or ring 020 7691 6582 – just tell us a little bit about yourself and please include your telephone number and age (you must be aged over 18).

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Free workshop for ladies
What are the images of being female?

What are the messages women receive about being female?

How does that impact on you and your community?

How can we develop relationships with different cultures amongst peers and across the generations?
After the success of Manhood, we would like to offer the females of our community a free workshop to give you an opportunity to discuss with other women (young and old) what it means to be female. Please join us for:

Womanhood@ The Stephen Lawrence Centre (Deptford) on Saturday 29th January from 2.00pm to 6.00pm
This is an opportunity to look at our self image, our relationships with each other and how we can develop stronger female partnerships.
To book a place and for further information, please contact:

NCBI London, 0844 856 0678, 07811 374074 ncbilondon@ncbi.org.uk


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Animation workshop for Children and Adults




1A ARTS etc is offering parents and children (aged 7+) another chance to unleash their inner animator and give the creators of Wallace and Gromit a run for their money! This 3 session course will brighten up boring weekends in March. All participants will take home a DVD of their animation brought to life with their own characters and story. Please see attached for details. Early booking is recommended! Please forward this to anyone you know who might be interested. If you would like hard copies of this publicity for your workplace please call or email me to let me know how many copies you would like.



Kind regards



Caroline



Caroline Lister

Director

1A ARTS etc

The 1A Centre

1A Rosebery Avenue

London EC1R 4SR

Tel: 020 7837 3332 Mobile: 07870 197 834

www.1A-ARTS-etc.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @1aARTSetc

Become a member on our Facebook group 1A ARTS etc

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Dare You Workshop - 22nd January
My colleagues and I are hosting Dare You 2011 workshop and we wondered if two of your members would like to have FREE places at our forthcoming Dare You 2011 on 22 January - London SW1W - United Kingdom. This event is a unique opportunity to connect with likeminded and amazing women. Identify and share what you really want, whatever that means for you; and learn new tools/techniques to make it happen. As this is our first event in London, we would very much benefit from receiving feedback from a variety of sources and would value your views being such a well established voluntary organisation for women. It promises to be a fun and inspiring day, a wonderful way to kick off our New Year.
I have attached details of the Dare You 2011 Team and the link to the website and contact details: http://www.thepinkbookclub.com/87-50.html. However, as we are offering 2 FREE spaces please contact me directly to reserve your places and I am happy to answer any questions you might have.
We really hope you will be able to join us. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards
Mary Malecaut

0782 555 4826
 
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WI Meeting Feb 15th 2011
Transition Bloomsbury will be coming in to on Tuesday Feb 15th 2011 to talk to us about the project they are involved with. Please see their website for further details ahead of this particular meeting.

www.transitionbloomsbury.org.uk

Meeting as usual at 6:30