Don't know my own address!

No wonder you're not all hammering on my email door to share your ideas and suggestions - I gave you the wrong email address!
wingskeynsham@hotmail.co.uk

Sitting back now, waiting for the onslaught......

Summer holidays - finally!

Life's been so hectic at the minute, lots of family stuff going on so I'm afraid I've been neglecting the blog.  There's lots to say (and so little time).  We're planning a bake sale for Children in Need.  Could use some suggestions as to venue, date, general logistics!

 

Also, one of the things I was supposed to mention at the meeting (but forgot) is that we're hoping to start up some subgroups within WINGs and are planning a "job fair" style start to the meeting in November.  Anyone who wants to form a group (wine guzzling society, reading, film group, knitting circle, rock choir - whatever floats your boat) can put up a stall and make your pitch.  See how many others are interested in your thing and get your group together.  If there's something you fancy, email me wingskeynsham@hotmail.com and let me know.  If we get duplicates, I can put you in touch with each other and you can share your stand.  Anyway, that's the plan, hope it makes sense.

I'm going now.  Have just checked the weather for Kyrenia (Cyprus) and after months of glorious sunshine, it's forecast for rain and a 10 degree drop in temperature for the first 2 days we're there.  Bristol, of course, will be dry!

Back at the end of the month - hope y'all don't miss me too much!
Mandy x

Dancing Shoes

Our September meeting has a slight change.  Where once we would have zumba'd, now we shall salsa!

Should be a good night with a chance to learn some steps and also see a demonstration of how it ought to be done.  Thanks to Sam Vernon for stepping in at the last minute.

Don't forget your dancing shoes (no trainers or flipflops!)

Cheers

August meeting

Yet again I forgot to take photos - I  would have liked to have had evidence of the chaos that ensued whilst trying to put chairs into 2 circles for a bit of introductory 'speed dating'.  In the end, we left them where they were and everyone just chinwagged with whoever they'd ended up next to.  Not quite as organised as planned, but the end result was the same. 

August brought wine to the meetings!  with a new system of vouchers, and Ang brought cake to the meeting (a lemon drizzle - very nice).  Mel from Melanie's Kitchen brought canapes and a list of instructions and I think everyone went home with nice full tums.

We had a chat about getting involved with the Girl Guides campaign about airbrushing.  Julie, our resident Guide Leader has sent these links for more information and to sign the petition. 

The petition: https://gguk.wufoo.com/forms/girlguiding-uk-against-airbrushing/



And a couple of videos to give people a better understanding of what is involved when we say something has been 'photoshop'd':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eur19EWdVI4&NR=1
this has flashing images, but interesting nonetheless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei6JvK0W60I&feature=related
and this site has the best mistakes that gets you really looking at images and how things are presented to people as if they were fact:
http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/
 
Many volunteering opportunities also mentioned - see your emails for a reminder!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  See you next month
Mandy x

First meeting at Fear Hall

The first meeting at Fear Hall went well.  We had 14 people, some of them new.  We already had apologies from folk who were going to be away or had other prior engagements so we were quite pleased with that.  Have to admit it was a little daunting with 2 of the committee members not able to be there.  We hadn't met since the launch so I was winging it a little (pun intended).

William Hanson http://williamhanson.co.uk/ from The English Manner came and gave us a talk about etiquette, concentrating on the dos and don'ts of Facebook and Twitter.  He also came up with some other random gems in the question and answer session at the end such as how to curtsey, how (and why and when) to eat asparagus with your left hand, and who should go first through a revolving door.  You weren't at the meeting? you may never know...

Tea, coffee and biscuits were on offer, but no drinks as we hadn't sorted out licensing arrangements.  Done that now so next time we'll be able to have a glass of wine whilst we watch Mel from Melanie's Kitchen in Downend show us how to make fantastic canapes. 

No pictures this time so this post looks dull but will hopefully get some at the next meeting.

Lots of other new W.I.s are now following the blog, or following us on Facebook and Twitter.  Hoping to get these things all merged together with Ang's help  http://www.aspoonfulofsugar.net/wp/   I might also have to try persuading you all to read your emails a bit more often as we had very little response from the very first email we sent out with a couple of questions about how best to advertise or contact you.

Finally, I may be the only person who actually reads the Observer (Kingswood, not national) but if there are any others like me, you may have noticed that WINGs is mentioned this week.  You may also see a familiar face in the Evening Post this Saturday.

Cheers
Mandy (media darling!!)