2019
January 9, … being inspired!
Expedition leader and all round inspirational woman Emma Linford visited us for a motivational meeting to kick off 2019! Emma (IML) has operated in extreme environments the world over; from the sea ice of the high Arctic, high altitude mountains, to the African bush and jungle. Her wide experience is exhibited through her strong chameleon leadership style, adapting herself to any given situation. She is ‘comfortable being uncomfortable’. Her leadership challenges have varied, from selecting and training potential polar explorers, leading overseas youth leadership expeditions or migrating with the Nenets in Siberia.
2018
December 12, … getting crafty!
Belles and visitors joined us for a cozy, crafty evening with needle felting – just the thing to get us feeling festive! We made beautiful penguins and polar bears and stabbed ourselves only a few times while felting 😉
November 14, … with food science!
Fancy a ferment? Esther Game, founder of local nanobrewery Cha Kombucha, told us all about fermentation and her small batch ethically produced kombucha and water kefir drinks.
October 10, … reading a book!
Our October meeting was all about books! After hearing a talk from Katie Kahn, author of Hold Back the Stars and The Light Between Us we provided the stage for a “Blind Date with a Book”. Bring a book (or more!) wrapped (recycled wrapping/newspaper is fine!) and with a little note about the content with a fun short description like “spicy birds”, “a walk in my brother’s shoes”, etc. For just £1 per book you can take as many as you like! Raised money goes all towards our very own Blue Belles Speaker fund.
September 12, … saving the planet!
We met Kath Austin, founder of BeeBee Wraps, a Cambridge company producing stylish reusable beeswax food wraps. Kath told us about her products, and explained why and how she became an eco entrepreneur.
August 8, … changing the world!
Get involved in WI campaigns! We discussed how to take action on the 2018 resolution ‘Mental Health Matters’ and looked suggestions for future resolutions that the Belles may wish to propose for 2019. Also: judging time for the BB WI Bunting Competition!
July 11, … at our summer do!
Our summer party was – as always – for members only – a chance to kick back, relax and enjoy a tipple on a balmy July evening!
June 13, … playing with words!
Keiko Shimado, a freelance calligrapher who works in both western alphabet and Japanese calligraphy, introduced us to her craft. We had the chance to try our hands at Japanese calligraphy and used washi papers to create beautiful, unique cards.
11th April, 2018 – Belles get official
Annual Member Meeting, and our Fifth Birthday! Cake, buzzword bingo, and other suprises as well as all the official business of our AMs.
14th March, 2018 – Belles hear herstory
A brilliant talk by Maureen James, from Telling History, about ‘Witches and Wisewomen’ to commemorate International Women’s Day.
14th February, 2018 – Belles feel beautiful
A practical hair session with Becks from Thairapy.
10th January, 2018 – Belles learn a new trick
Presentation of bursary-receivers and skill-sharers with DIY carpentry and hand-knitting.
13th December, 2017 – Belles feel festive
Chocolate truffle making – yes, please!
8th November, 2017 – Belles get inked
Dr. Matt Lodder will be introducing us to his research about the history of Western tattooing in his talk “Folks are Apt to Think Shes Shady”: Jessie Knight, Lady Tattooer”
11th October, 2017 – Belles go on a campaign
Belles and visitors will get to know more about WI campaigns “Link together” and “End Plastic Soup” and how they can get more involved.
13th September, 2017 – Belles get down to business
Talk and Q&A session about setting up your own business with the wonderful Jo Kruczynska from Afternoon Tease fame.
9th August, 2017 – Belles channel their creativity
Flower crowns, anyone? Led by our very own Melissa Ewbank we had a chill, crafty, lovely scented meeting with plenty of cake and chats!
12th July, 2017 – Belles celebrate summer
No official meeting in July, instead Belles went to Cambridge Wine Merchants on Cherry Hinton Road for a didactic evening of wine tasting and learned all about female wine makers and their wines!
14th June, 2017 – Belles go back to nature
A very interesting talk titled ‘Plants: Medicine, molecules and mischief’ by Gwenda Kyd from Cambridge Bach.
10th May, 2017 – Belles make music
A samba drumming workshop led by Blake Vickers from Heardrum (formerly of Arco Iris), plus we debated the resolutions for this year and introduce the new committee.
March 8, 2017 – The Dancing Meeting
We learned how to Belly Dance! There was much shimmying, bells, scarfs, cymbals and laughter. Many thanks to Sue, our wonderful instructor!
February 8, 2017 – The Sexy Meeting
Former sex-worker turned stand up comedian Miranda Kane shared with us her story and the things she learned from working in the sex industry.
January 11, 2017 – The Fun & Games Meeting
A chilled out meeting, with plenty of chances to chat, eat cake, and learn a new craft, left by our very own Victoria, of Butterfly Crafts
December 14, 2016 – The Christmasy Meeting
A chance to catch up on all things Christmas – we wrote our cards, wrapped our presents, chatted LOTS and had lovely food and drinks. A very relaxed meeting amidst the crazy holiday period.
November 9, 2016 – The Foodie Meeting
You have seen her in the press, heard her on the radio, and if you are a frequent customer at the Black Cat Cafe on Mill Rd. you probably have tasted her food! Rocking Raw Chef Barbara Fernandez taught us how to prepare delicious vegan, raw food
Our Annual Craft Fair took place in late November, and it was the most successful yet!
October 12, 2016 – The Hands On Meeting
A members showcase! Blue Belles shared their passions, businesses, and projects with each other to get honest feedback and get others interested in the same issues.
September 14, 2016 – The Bookish Meeting
Author Guinevere Glasfurd talked to us about her best-selling book The Words in my Hands and about the process of researching and writing a book, and how she got published.
August 10, 2016 – The Through the Lens Meeting
Photographer Lina Orsino-Allen, of Lina and Tom, facilitated a hands on session to show us how to take great photos using only our mobiles or simple point and shoot cameras. Our selfies are next-level-good now!
July 13, 2016 – The Summery Meeting
Our traditional al fresco meeting, a picnic with a difference. This time we had a cocktail masterclass led by our very own Aoife, of Sweet Peas and Sours fame, created a signature Blue Belle cocktail, including a non-alcoholic version, and after making a few batches together we shared them and a few canapes. A lovely meeting!
June 8, 2016 – The Money Meeting
How much do you know about money? Saving, credit, loans… how to manage your money, take care of your hard earned cash, and make smart decisions about your earnings? We shared tips, tricks, and facts with each other, with many cups of tea and a fair bit of cake!
May 11, 2016 – The Shiny Meeting
Gem expert Jason Middleton gave us ‘An introduction to gemstones’, including the basic properties and what to look for in jewellery. We also discussed the 2016 resolutions and decided how we want to vote.
April 13, 2016 – The Official Meeting
We celebrated our 3rd birthday, unveiled the new programme and played our now-traditional buzzword bingo. Extra special raffle sponsored by The Cambridge Satchel Company, and the draw for our Dig for Denman bursary.
March 9, 2016 – Colour, style, fashion! Luanne Hill from Accent on the Positive introduces us to the differences that colours, patterns, and shapes can make in the way we look. Are you a Summer or and Autumn?
February 10, 2016 – An introduction to British Sign Language with Jane Kennedy – learn to finger spell and hear about Jane’s adventures in her many years as a BSL teacher.
January 13, 2016 – Return of the Belles Do & Dabble, featuring Fat Balls (for birds!) and name tags and brooches
December 9, 2015 – A Belletastic Christmas Party, with drinks, nibbles, and lots of Xmas spirit.
November 28, 2015 – Cambridge Blue Belles Annual Craft Fair, find us at Upper Hall, St. Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, 43 Andrew St, Cambridge
November 11, 2015 – Willow Weaving for Christmas – Belles get hands on!
October 14, 2015 – A Halloween Hoedown! Line dancing with Cherry Hinton WI President, Margaret!
September 9, 2015 – We hear all about how twin Grendon WI member, Glynis, created ‘An African Bakery Built on Goodwill’ – with donated machinery and we host a bake off to celebrate WI day!
August 12, 2015 – Veggie Indian Cooking demo tasting sessions with Inspiring Woman and Denman Tutor, Rama Vs Ram
July 8, 2015 – Blue Belles Annual Picnic on Jesus Green, including a bit a of fizz and lots of games
June 10, 2015 – A Paramedics Guide to First Aid – We learn what to do when awaiting an ambulance and more!
May 13, 2015 – We host a Mental Heal Awareness Week talk by CPFT Medical Director Dr Chess Denman at Upper Hall, St. Andrew’s Baptist Church, 43 St. Andrew St, Cambridge, 19:00 – 21:00 – FREE ENTRY , Women Only, Special Ticketed Event – Click here for full details
April 8, 2015 – We unveil our 2015 Programme at the Cambridge Blue Belles Annual Members Meeting with Buzzword Bingo to boot!
March 11, 2015 – Talks by Inspiring Women – To celebrate Women’s Day we enjoy a talk from Sarah from Wintercomfort about the need for sanitary products amongst homeless women, Mooncups and ‘Giving an F in Fashion’ – we welcome Rebecca Pearson, Sabotage Times writer and model divine to tell us all ings feminism in fashion! PLUS we guest edit the Women of e WI website
February 11, 2015 – We host the Encompass Network to celebrate LGBTQ History Month, then members Do & Dabble in sushi wrapping, monoprinting, and pottery making!
January 14, 2015 – A mindfulness session to start, friends visit from the Dawn Project, Women’s Resource Centre and voting for NFWI Resolutions
December 14, 2014 – Christmas Crafting with Arty Farty Tea Party for our friends on the S Wards at Addenbrooke’s and Dig for Denman Bursary Draw! (Meeting for Blue Belles Members only, no guests this time round – but please come visit in 2015!)
November 29, 2014 – Cambridge Blue Belles present a Craft Fair, Upper Hall, St. Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, 43 Andrew St, Cambridge, 10:30 – 15:30 – WI members/groups warmly invited to host a stall – see here for more
November 12, 2014 – Talks from Inspirational Women in Science – A Lowdown on Organ Donation
October 15, 2014 – Apple Pressing
September 17, 2014, Talks from Inspirational Women – Researching “A Force to be Reckoned With”
A special ticketed event with Guest Speaker and Author, Jane Robinson.
Friend’s Meeting House, Jesus Lane, Cambridge – 19:30 – 21:30
September 10, 2014 – CamBake Bread Making – Sough Dough Do & Don’ts
August 13, 2014 – Blue Belles summer outing – Picnicking on Jesus Green and Cambridge Photo Quiz Bonanza
July 9, 2014 – Talks from Inspirational Women
The Army’s First Female Bomb Disposal Officer, Lucy Lewis
June 11, 2014 – Talks from Inspirational Women
The Khidmat Sisters and STOMP – Style Body Percussion and Song
May 14, 2014 – Talks from Inspirational Women – Well-being of the Mind
Common Mental Heal Issues in Women – Treatment and Prevention, a talk by forensic psychologist Deborah Hunt, and CPFT Medical Director, Dr. Chess Denman. Plus, members discuss the NFWI Organ Donation Resolution.
April 9, 2014 Cambridge Blue Belles Annual Members Meeting and presentation of further 2014 Programme
March 12, 2014 – Practical self defence with Col Maggs of Cambridge Kung Fu
February 12, 2014 – Talk from Jon Tiller on foraging, tea & preserves to sample, and member Jennie Debenham introduces her Liberated Feast
January 8, 2014 – Bring a Board Game & Raise Your Voices for NFWI Resolution Voting!
December 11, 2013 – Home Front Christmas with Cambs & Beds Lindyhop Experience & e Old Chemist Shop Antique Centre
November 13, 2013 – How to Become a Country Markets Producer & Name Badge Crafting
October 9, 2013 – Raw Vegan Chocolate Tasting and Talk by Founder of Om Bars, Richard
September 11, 2013 – Brechland Orchard is Born! – Talk by founder, Claire Martinsen
August 14, 2013 – Gardening in a Container – Talk by Michael & Jill from Choice Landscapes
July 9, 2013 – Picnic at Darwin College
June 12, 2013 – Crochet & talk from former NFWI Chairman, Ruth Bond, on setting up of WIs in Women’s Prisons
