Full details of the 2015-16 Denman College Bursaries are now available. 156 Programme – BURSARIES INFO
Closing date for applications is 17 July.
.
Author Archives: marketharboroughwi
New Denman Course brochure out now
The new Denman brochure, covering all courses and events from July 2015 to June 2016, is now available for download from our website (.pdf file downloadable at foot of page).
Katie Bell, Marketing and Events Assistant says, ‘Denman is continuing its celebration of the WI centenary by running a wide range of exciting events. We’ve arranged two trips to see the WI play, Raising Agents, in July and we have an Inspiring Women Day with Julie Summers, author of the book Jambusters, on which the current ITV series Home Fires is based. See page 63 for more details on both.
What’s more, we’re running a lovely day in conjunction with the Ashmolean Museum, through which you can take an exclusive peak at one of the largest and most important collections of British drawings in the world. See page 37 for more information.
In addition to all this, we have a plethora of our usual day and residential courses in cookery, craft and lifestyle on offer, such as innovative Gluten and Dairy Free Cookery (see page 6), a wide range of sewing courses covering everything from vintage frocks to handbags (see pages 28 and 29) and a massive selection of musical appreciation residentials (see pages 50 to 52). The choice is endless, so grab a cup of tea and have a browse!
We do hope you enjoy our latest offering and we look forward to welcoming you to Denman soon.
How did your skills raffle prize go?
A reminder to the lucky winners of skills raffle prizes to claim their prize. We’ve had a couple of success stories on the blog and would love to hear about others. So, if you were a lucky winner (or even the skills person), then do send in a photo and a few words letting us know how it all went! We can then post them to the website. Email: marketharboroughwi@gmail.com
Latest National WI news
We’ll be publishing these newsletters regularly from now on. They’ll also be posted on our National WI page. You can keep up to date with events planned around the country such as exhibitions and craft events, as well as getting updates on resolutions. NFWI news – July 2015 (PDF version)
Crochet skills raffle prize ‘such fun’
MHWI member Jenny Hirst reports, ‘My grand-daughter and I have just had our 3rd session of learning how to crochet with Clare Farquhar, our president.
‘We have had such fun and Clare was not phased at all with Imi (14 yrs) being left handed. I have refreshed an old skill and Imi has learnt a new one, and with the extra help from a YouTube video for left handers, she has produced her own designs.
‘Clare was patient, enthusiastic and eager to show us her extraordinary creativity. A great raffle prize, please let’s have another one soon.
‘I must admit I put off claiming my prize for a few weeks, but I am so pleased I did stake my claim.
‘Thank you Clare, you were great!!’
Carnival first prize winner – well done MHWI!
Market Harborough WI float wins first prize at town carnival 2015
Thought you would all like to share the first prize float certificate that Market Harborough WI’s float won on the 13th. Well done everyone and especial thanks to Patsy and Gemma for all their hard work in recent months making sure it all happened!
Funerals 2015 style
Facebook, a dedicated website, emails to track planning, money giving on line, coffins printed with your favourite pictures plus a music bank at Kettering Crematorium, are all ways that technology and social media are changing funerals in 2015.
Jonathan Stamp, third generation family member of J Stamp and Sons, Market Harborough, gave a fascinating insight into how friends and families can plan unique funerals that celebrate the life of the deceased person. In fact, some people even plan their own funerals in great detail while still alive and pay for it! Whatever, Jonathan, his 2 cousins, plus a support team of men and women (historically across the profession women were not involved), bring a wealth of experience from former roles to provide a professional service to local residents. They are always happy to accommodate any request as part of either a religious, humanist or civic funeral.
Jack Stamp set up the company up back in 1946 and much of the early history is written in his own book ‘Step by Step.’ Originally Jack undertook a diverse range of activities around the town in order to support his family, moving eventually to the current premises In Kettering Road. He bought the almost derelict building and renovated it. The company now specialises in both funeral directing and monuments. Again, up to date technology supports the design process.
An excellent insight into the history of J Stamp & Sons and how they are adapting to the changes in public demand in 2015. Apparently, even our final ‘wooden suits’ are now bought in and not made locally.
Tomorrow’s monthly meeting – history of Stamps funeral service
We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow evening at 7.30 pm at the Congregational Hall, Little Bowden Lane, Market Harborough. Local company, J Stamp & Sons, who have provided a funeral service to the town for many years, will take us on a journey through time and looking at the changes of funerals over the years
Volunteers for monthly programme or social events
Would you like to help organise one of our monthly programme meetings for 2016? You don’t have to be on the committee, just willing to contact the speaker (we have lots of ideas and contacts, thanks to all your suggestions), meet the host on the night, make sure they have everything they need and give a thank you at the end.
Or, maybe you have an idea for a one off social event? Perhaps there is somewhere you would like to go with a group of MHWI members or a special speaker you would like to invite for a one off activity night? If you would like to make this happen and are willing to organise the event, we’d love to hear from you. Speak to a member of the committee at the next monthly meeting or drop us an email: marketharboroughwi@gmail.com
Diane’s day at the Palace
Diane Claridge at the WI Centenary Garden Party on 2 June 2015
I had a truly wonderful and memorable day at the Buckingham Palace WI Centenary Garden party. The excitement started as we arrived to join the coach at Wigston. To see so many ladies in their finery and hats, especially when three coaches stopped for a comfort break at Toddington services, was quite a sight.
When we arrived at the palace we joined the long queue to have our ID’s checked before going through the main gates to the inner courtyard and through two galleries full of beautiful flowers and works of art, before emerging on to the terrace. There was a brass band playing and 12 Yeoman of the guard looking extremely colourful in their uniforms. The weather was kind, the tea and cakes were amazing, miniature Victoria sandwich cakes, raspberry tarts, tiny eclairs and even a fun sized Battenburg cake!
But the real icing on the cake was being invited, with a few others, to be personally introduced to Sophie, Countess of Wessex. We shook hands and had a little chat, she told us her daughter is doing exams at school and we had a laugh when she said she regretted wearing a flimsy dress on such a windy day! We saw the ‘Calendar Girls’ and the Duchess of Cornwall at a distance. The range of fashions was a real spectacle with some stunning hats and outfits of every colour imaginable. It was especially good to talk to ladies from all over the country and hear about their WI meetings. The only downside was the 25 minute queue for the toilets but it gave me an opportunity to talk to some very nice ladies from Wales. So all in all it was a real privilege to be chosen to attend and something I shall never forget.
Market Harborough WI 