Category Archives: Leicestershire WIs

WI Try and Taste Event – Wednesday 24 June

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nibbles-w500-h500The Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of WIs is running this popular event at Wing, Oakham this year.  A chance to spoil yourself with a selection of quick and delicious nibbles both sweet and savoury, as well as a mini wine tasting.   Later on, sit back and marvel at the skills of a local flower arranger! How can you possibly resist!

Country Markets will be in attendance, and there will be the usual raffle of course, as well as a quiz sheet on sale to keep your little grey cells fit and well.

Download their flyer for full details: A FLIGHT OF FANCIES Flyer

Frances Quinn’s fascinating story of the Bake Off

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Frances Quinn t (4)-w500-h500Frances Quinn, Market Harborough’s 2013 Bake Off winner, gave WI members a fascinating insight into how she took up baking through to being selected for and taking part in the Bake Off.

It took a year to get from completing the entry (colleagues at Joules kept leaving entry forms on her desk) to becoming overall winner.   The selection process included phone interviews, 2 trips to London, one carrying sample cakes on the train, cooking for Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry and screenshot before getting that long awaited phone call.

Frances humorously took us through the weekly filming process.  Again, very demanding, travelling to Bristol each Friday night and being in the Bake Off tent for filming for up to 12 hours a day.  Then back to a full time job and fitting in practice baking each evening.  Her weekly fridge was often full of 2 kg of butter and cream for ganache!

Frances concluded her talk by demonstrating orange blossom almond paste, using thisFrances Quinn t (3)-w500-h500 to make decorated mice (see picture opposite).

Her book Quinntessential Cooking is being published in late August 2015.

Frances’ talk was part of the Welland WI Group annual meeting, ably organised this year by Great Bowden WI.  Well done, too, to the Great Bowden WI choir who entertained us with several songs.

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Pages from Frances’ sketch book that she used to plan her bakes for the Bake Off

 

Diary date Saturday 7 March 2015

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How about going along to the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of WI’s Annual Meeting at the Grammar School, Great Glen?  Speakers include Angela Rippon, reported to be ‘excellent’.  Tickets £10 and opportunities for lift sharing.

Market Harborough WI member Vicky (not committee member Vicky) is entering the cooking competition.  Gemma Underwood’s embroidered Centenary brick will also be on display.  There will be activities, too, for visitors to join in.  Contact a Committee Member at the February meeting to buy your ticket.

Gemma’s embroidered MHWI Centenary brick

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Gemma Underwood’s Centenary Brick for MHWI

Gemma Underwood kindly offered to decorate a ‘brick’ for Market Harborough WI.  This will go to the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of WIs to make up a panel of bricks for the whole county. We think she has done a superb job – what do you think?

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Close up of the Old Grammar School, the focal point of Gemma’s Centenary brick

 

Catch up on what’s happening at Market Harborough WI

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Clare Farquhar, our lively new President, brought members up to date on several ‘Whow’ activities forthcoming at Market Harborough WI earlier this week.  If you missed them, or there were just too many to take them all in, then carry on reading:

Refreshments rota – committee member Jill is no longer in post.  Members were asked to volunteer each month to help with refreshments.  After that, everyone will be put on the rota (your name will appear about every 2 years with current membership).  A committee member will be on hand, if you are unsure what to do.  Contact us to volunteer now.

Barn dance to mark WI Centenary year in 2015.  Disbanded for a variety of logistical and cost reasons.  Do you have an idea for a  celebration?  Contact us.

Embroiderer for MHWI ‘brick’ – Gemma kindly offered to cross stitch this and put us on the Centenary wall hanging at the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of WIs in Leicester.  Let us have a picture of the ‘brick’ when you’ve finished, Gemma.

Denman Dip – names and £1 to Fiona Thompson to stand a chance of winning this 2 night treat worth £250.

Tea and Tents 2015 – amazing national event all booked up just days after these became live.  Put your name on the waiting list now.

Social Media – definitely the way forward for finding out what’s planned and to share information with other Market Harborough WI members.  Like us now on Twitter and Facebook.  Follow us on this website (click link on News page to lower right hand side).  Make sure Patsy, our membership secretary, has your up to date email.

Social event in January 2015 – watch the News page for details of new event being planned.

Make a fascinator – 13 May 2015, cost £25, deposit of £5 needed by January meeting to Fiona Thompson.

 

Invitation to WI carol service

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carol singers-w500-h500Are you free on Monday 1st December at 7 pm?  If so, you are invited to join other local WIs at Little Bowden Church, Rectory Lane, LE16 8AS for a carol service.  There will be light refreshments following the service.

If you would like to deliver one of the readings, then do let us know when booking your place: Carol Service reading 2 Market Harborough 1 Dec 14

Market Harborough WI has places at the event for up to 15 members.  If you would like to attend, please call 07547 890 756 to confirm or Contact Us by Friday 14th November.   We have to confirm numbers to Little Bowden WI who are organising the event.

Well fancy that! Facts about Leicestershire WIs

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Leicestershire-and-Rutland-Federation-badge-w500-h500Did you know that Market Harborough WI is one of the biggest in the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of WIs?  We have 64 members.  Well done, ladies, for achieving this feat after our first 3, very successful years.

There are 144 WIs in the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation with 4,776 members.

Monthly meetings of Market Harborough WI have an average of 39 members attending.  We have had 7 new members this year.

 

WI quiz night in Market Harborough (Leicestershire and Rutland Federation)

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Are you free on Friday 4 July 2014?  If so, would you like to make up teams of 4 (WI members, non-members, partners or husbands) to take part in a quiz night to be held at the Congregational Church in Bowden Lane in Market Harborough?  There is a small charge.  Bring your own wine and nibbles (tea will be served, too).  Start time to be confirmed, but likely to be around 7.30 pm.

To enter your team, email the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of WIs in Leicester – Contact Us