Dates for the Diary – August 2026

Hopefully you have all been able to enjoy summer so far – despite the heatwave and associated challenges. The WI calendar is moving on into August with some interesting meetings coming up – hopefully you’ll be able to join us!

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Allotment – Every Monday

The focus at the allotment is on watering and thinking about new recipes for the crops that are starting to be ready. The group meets every Monday (weather permitting) at 2pm so if you would like to join this season, please contact Julie at Jusellars1960@gmail.com to get the access details for the allotment site on Stevens Street.

Walking Group – 2nd August

The Walking Group will be meeting at 10am to take on the Tilton Heritage Walk. The meeting place will be broadcast as usual through WhatsApp, so if you would like to join, please email Fiona at f_tomlin@sky.com to be added to the WhatsApp group.

Craft Club – Summer Break

The Craft Club will be back in September. More details will be broadcast via the WhatsApp group. Please contact fegraham1@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the group.

Coffee Club – 5th August

The next Coffee Club meeting is booked from 10 am at Esquires Coffee Shop in Wellington Place.No need to book, just turn up for a coffe and a natter. Look forward to seeing you there!

Book Club – 19th August

The Book Angels Book Club will be meeting at the Three Swans at 2.30pm. This months members will be presenting their Holiday Read of Choice.

Please contact Valerie at vhitchcox50@hotmail.com if you would like to join in.

MHWI Monthly Meeting –  26th August

On our return from the summer break this month’s session will focus on Foraging and Preserving with timely tips on how to make the most of nature’s bounty at this time of the year. The meeting will start as usual at 7.30pm at the Church Hall of Our Ladies of Victories Church in Fairfield Road. 

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We’ll be updating the ‘Dates for the Diary’ post on a regular basis, so keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

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Silk Painting

At this month’s meeting of the Market Harborough Craft Club the members tried their hand at silk painting with some stunning results:

An image on a piece of silk fabric is outlined with gutta and then coloured in with special paints. The fabric can then be framed or used in a greeting card. Everyone agreed that this was a fun and relaxing craft to try.

Quick reminder: There is no monthly meeting in July as it is our summer break, so hopefully we’ll see a lot of you at the next meeting in August!

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If you are interested in what the Market Harborough WI is up to, keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

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Green Fingers at the Windowsill

At this week’s monthly meeting of the Market Harborough WI Susie Lickman talked about her passion for all things houseplants – and looking after 92 of them in her own home she knows something about them!

In her highly entertaining talk Susie charted her journey from redundancy to opening her shop in Market Harborough, gave tips where to buy house plants (and which places to definitely avoid!) and demolished a lot of myths about her favourite subject: Polishing leaves? So 1970s Darling! Misting? Not the answer to humidity issues unless you want to stand permanently next to your plant and mist. Houseplants are not Tomatoes – so use Baby Bio, not Tomato feed, Lovely!

Her advice: If you place them in the right place in your home, talk to them regularly and refrain from overwatering them, houseplants are a pleasure to have around.

Despite the heat, the meeting was well attended and our members enjoyed the talk and browsing through the plants Susie had brought.

Quick reminder: There is no meeting in July as it is our summer break, so hopefully we’ll see a lot of you at the next meeting in August!

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If you are interested in what the Market Harborough WI is up to, keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

You have been sent this message because you are following the website of the Market Harborough Womens Institute. If you no longer wish to do so, please click here to unsubscribe.

At the centre of power…

Last week a group of members of the Market Harborough WI went on a trip to London to visit the Houses of Parliament at the invitation of our local MP, Neil O’Brien.

The day started with refreshments and a tour around the Palace of Westminster with our guide who was very knowledgeable about the history of the place. The tour included the chambers as well as Westminster Hall where Queen Elizabeth II had lain in state. We watched the procession of the speaker into the commons and the maze being carried by the Serjeant at Arms as a symbol of his authority.

Neil O’Brien spent time with us in one of the committee rooms talking about his role as an MP, as the shadow MP for policy development and most importantly about his priorities representing his constituents.

Finally we went to the public gallery to listen to a debate about housing in the commons and a few of us moved on to ‘The Other Place’ – i.e. the House of Lords – to catch some of the debate about the defense investment plan. It was great watching politics in action!

Thank you to Neil O’Brien and his team for inviting us and looking after us so well – it was a very informative and fun day out!

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If you are interested in what the Market Harborough WI is up to, keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically

You have been sent this message because you are following the website of the Market Harborough Womens Institute. If you no longer wish to do so, please click here to unsubscribe.

Dates for the Diary – July 2026

We are nearly at the longest day of the year – amazing how quickly the year is flying by. Just so that you don’t miss any of the activities planned for July, here are the dates for your diary!

* * * J U L Y * * *

Allotment – Every Monday

The season is in full swing at the allotment – focus is on watering and thinking about recipes for the crops that are ripening. The Gardening Girls meet every Monday (weather permitting) at 2pm so if you would like to join this season, please contact Julie at Jusellars1960@gmail.com to get the access details for the allotment site on Stevens Street.

Craft Club – 2nd July

The Craft Club will be meeting at 7pm in the upstairs room at the Congregational Church in Bowden Lane for a session of silk painting with Denise. More details will be broadcast via the WhatsApp group. Please contact fegraham1@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the group.

Coffee Club – 7th July

The next Coffee Coffee Club meeting will be at 10am at the Mercado Lounge. Join us for a natter and a cuppa. No need to book – just show up. Look forward to seeing you there!

Walking Group – 8th July

In July the Walking Group has the Griffin Trail between Market Harborough and Braybrook in their sights at 6pm for an evening walk. Information will be broadcast as usual through WhatsApp, so if you would like to join, please email Fiona at f_tomlin@sky.com to be added to the WhatsApp group.

Book Club – 15th July

The Book Angels Book Club will be meeting at the Three Swans at 2.30pm. There are two books by Elizabeth Taylor to choose from this month: A view of the Harbour or Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont.

Please contact Valerie at vhitchcox50@hotmail.com if you would like to join in.

MHWI Monthly Meeting –  No Meeting due to Summer Break

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We’ll be updating the ‘Dates for the Diary’ post on a regular basis, so keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

You have been sent this message because you are following the website of the Market Harborough Womens Institute. If you no longer wish to do so, please click here to unsubscribe.

A week in the life of…

This week both the Walkers and the Crafters avoided the rain and had their monthly meetings.

The Walking Group met on Wednesday evening at East Carlton for a well researched walk. The rain stopped in time and the group enjoyed their evening walk laced with surprises – getting chased by dogs, meeting baby raindeers and finding the best pub loos in the county to name just a few…

The MHWI Craft Club meanwhile met this week to make gift boxes – perfect for small or oddly shaped gifts – and tassles to decorate them. Great fun – especially as all sorts of left over yarn, paper and ribbon can be used.

There will be also a change to next month’s theme: Instead of decorating boxes the group will be doing silk painting. If you would like to take part, please email marketharborougjwi@gmail.com for more information.

If you would like to keep in touch and see what we are up to, keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

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Every Day is an Occasion!

At the monthly meeting of the Market Harborough WI this week members enjoyed a talk by Bridget Albano of The Happy Stylist.

As a personal stylist Bridget draws on years of experience as a high street buyer for a range of fashion brands and her obvious passion for fashion. Her bubbly personality turned the evenig into a fun as well as educational event. Using items from the rack of clothes she had brought, Bridget took us through subjects such as body shape (‘are you a juicy pear or an apple shape?’) and colour theory and demonstrated her tips and tricks on how to transform the shape and look of an outfit on volunteers from the audience. It was eye opening to see what a difference adding a belt and jacket can make! Or how locating your waist in the right place and using it to shape a look can make all the difference!

Really useful tips included trying on different sizes of an item as sometime a smaller size actually works better, using understanding of shape and suitable style to pick clothes from a range of shops, not just a single brand and looking for and nurturing ‘wardrobe friends’. Every Day is an Occasion – and that warrants suitable clothes to make us feel good.

At the end members were invited to try on some of Bridget’s items and ask their own style questions. It was hard to bring the evening to a close! If you would like to find out more about Bridget, see her website: The Happy Stylist

We’ll be updating the ‘Dates for the Diary’ post on a regular basis, so keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

You have been sent this message because you are following the website of the Market Harborough Womens Institute. If you no longer wish to do so, please click here to unsubscribe.

Dates for the Diary – June 2026

The lovely weather continues and hopefully you are all able to take some time out and enjoy the sunshine. Here are the dates for your diary if you would like to take part in any of the activities planned by the Market Harborough WI.

* * * J U N E * * *

Allotment – Every Monday

The Gardening Girls have started planting for this season. Although some seedlings were lost to the brief period of frost all is now in the ground and growing nicely. The group meets every Monday (weather permitting) at 2pm so if you would like to join this season, please contact Julie at Jusellars1960@gmail.com to get the access details for the allotment site on Stevens Street.

Coffee Meeting – 2nd June

The next Coffee Meeting is organised from 2pm at the Three Swans. Join us for a natter and a cuppa. No need to book – just show up. Look forward to seeing you there!

Walking Group – 3rd June

In June the Walking Group will be meeting at East Carlton at 6pm for an evening walk. Information will be broadcast as usual through WhatsApp, so if you would like to join, please email Fiona at f_tomlin@sky.com to be added to the WhatsApp group.

Craft Club – 4th June

The Craft Club will be meeting at 7pm in the upstairs room at the Congregational Church in Bowden Lane to craft gift boxes and tassels. More details will be broadcast via the WhatsApp group. Please contact fegraham1@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the group

June Social – 15th June

The Social Event this month is a visit to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, organised with the help of the MP for Market Harborough, Neil O’Brien. This event is open for friends and family as well, so if you would like to take part, please email marketharboroughwi@gmail.com or sign up at the May Monthly Meeting

Book Club – 17th June

The Book Angels Book Club will be meeting at the Three Swans at 2.30pm. The book of the month is Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Please contact Valerie at vhitchcox50@hotmail.com if you would like to join in.

MHWI Monthly Meeting –  24th June

This month we are looking forward to meet by Susie Lickman, proprietor of the local shop Windowsill Plants. Susie will be talking about all things houseplant – so have your questions ready!

The meeting will start as usual at 7.30pm at the Church Hall of Our Ladies of Victories Church in Fairfield Road. 

* * * * * *

We’ll be updating the ‘Dates for the Diary’ post on a regular basis, so keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

You have been sent this message because you are following the website of the Market Harborough Womens Institute. If you no longer wish to do so, please click here to unsubscribe.

Reminder: Monthly Meeting next Wednesday!

At our next Monthly Meeting on the 27th May Bridget Albano will dispense style tips and inspiration on how to choose outfits from our own wardrobes with confidence.

The meeting will start as usual at 7.30pm at the Church Hall in Fairfield Road – Hope to see you all there!

If you are interested in what the Market Harborough WI is up to, keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

You have been sent this message because you are following the website of the Market Harborough Womens Institute. If you no longer wish to do so, please click here to unsubscribe.

Carol’s Capers at the MHWI

At the April Monthly Meeting of the Market Harborough WI Carol Marsden gave an inspirational talk about her unusual take on having (and working through) a bucket list! Walking up Kilimanjaro, taking part in TV shows and learning how to quilt are just some of the items she has successfully accomplished.

At this session her talk centred on trecking across the Sahara and sledding in the arctic. Extreme temperatures, challenging logistics and plenty of stories to tell – and that is in addition to fabulous photos to accompany the talk.

All of Carol’s Capers are done for a charity – at present her work is to support Prostaid and the opening of a new centre at Glenfield Hospital. See their website here for more details.

If you are interested in what the Market Harborough WI is up to, keep an eye on the website for the latest news. Or you can subscribe by entering your email address below and you will be send the latest news automatically:

You have been sent this message because you are following the website of the Market Harborough Womens Institute. If you no longer wish to do so, please click here to unsubscribe.