For December, instead of our usual meeting we booked a table at a favourite local spot.
This was a member only event and all members were welcome to join us on the evening.
Some members joined for a festive drink and fun and others stayed to dine.
There was delicious food, great company and fun conversations. It was an evening filled with laughter.
We also had our Christmas raffle and 3 lucky ladies went home with a fabulous hamper each.
Christmas Wreath making
This fun session was free for members and £28 for visitors (women aged 18+). The price included everything needed to make and take home a beautiful, traditional Christmas wreath. Spaces were limited and needed to be booked in advance.
Everything was included but we encouraged people to bring along fir cones, rosemary sprigs, bay leaves, holly, dried hydrangeas etc that they may have had in their garden, to share or add to their own wreaths. Some ribbons were provided and some people brought along ones they preferred.
Members: All members were welcome to attend but we needed to confirm numbers for material ordering.
Visitors: (women aged 18+) were welcome but needed to pay in advance to secure their place.
AGM & Cyber Security
Our October meeting included our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where members were updated on the club’s performance and finances through the Annual Report and Financial Statement.
Once the formal business of the AGM concluded, we were pleased to welcome guest speaker Megan Haldane from Avon & Somerset Police.
Megan led an informative session focused on staying safe online. We explored some of the common online scams currently circulating. We discussed helpful advice to protect ourselves when using the internet and technology. Additionally, we explored the phishing red flags to look out for. Finally, we then covered some basic cyber security advice. This aimed to help build confidence when using the internet at home and highlighted some of the great resources available for help.
Discover more at http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk
Sound Bath Evening with Rounik
What a wonderful chance to slow down, unwind, and recharge that we had at our Sound Bath session. It was just what we needed.
Through the soothing power of sacred sound frequencies, guided meditation, and gentle breathwork, Rounik guided us on a journey designed to relax the mind, calm the body, and restore balance.
Using both ancient and modern instruments—including a full chakra set of singing bowls—Rounik worked intuitively with the group to create a sacred, supportive space. The harmonic vibrations of sound help eased tension, release stress, and encouraged a deep sense of peace and wellbeing.
This experience was suitable for everyone, no matter ones level of familiarity with meditation or sound healing. All we needed to do was get comfy! Attendees brought blankets to keep warm and a yoga mat to lie on and let the waves of sound carry them into a state of deep relaxation and renewal.
After the session we enjoyed a cup of tea to rehydrate, ground ourselves and feedback before heading home. And thank you to those that felt inspired and brought cake to share – always a lovely addition.
Discover more at Rounik
What a lovely garden walk we went on in the heart of St Werburghs.
Was had strong turn out and Garden Folk CIC treated us to a lovely evening walking around their regenerative market garden where they produce mixed salad and flowers. And quite a few of us availed of the opportunity to treat ourselves to bouquet of beautiful flowers grown in the garden.
We discovered the Magic of Pinhole Photography with Justin Quinnell
We stepped into 2,000 years of light and lens as we explored the fascinating history of pinhole photography and its connection to wellbeing. There was a hands-on with camera obscuras and a turmeric photography kit.
We were invited to step into a world of Rubies and Remembrance with the brilliant storyteller, Clare Reddaway from A Word in your Ear, as she brought Clifton’s streets to life with tales that shimmer with history and heart.
We headed off-site for this walking storytelling adventure, setting off at 7pm sharp—so we could soak up every word before the sun set!
Find out more about Clare and her not-for-profit organisation, A Word in Your Ear, at https://www.awordinyourear.org.uk/
It was Mental Health Awareness Month
We enjoyed a calming and informative session with Bridget Tyrell from Osna Therapy, a fellow businesswoman right here on Gloucester Road. She shared the many benefits of massage and showed us some easy self-massage techniques we can use anytime we need a little reset.
We also had a small, but successful, plant sale to raise funds for our WI group.
We were treated to a collage workshop with Bristol’s very own art junkie, Adele Lippiatt — the queen of collage and recycled materials. Adele guided us through a hands-on journey of cutting, layering, and creating art.
We were a good mix of seasoned makers and those who were just collage-curious. This workshop provided a wonderful opportunity to dive into a world of colour, texture, and creativity. And did we get inspired, letting our inner artist run wild! Everyone got to take home a framed collage they had made, and some at least have proudly hung them up at home, on display for all to admire.
Find Adele on Instagram @bristolartjunkie.
Gloucester Road WI 
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