Category Archives: Market Harborough WI

MHWI needs you – can you help?

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Committee meeting in The Roebuck

Committee meeting in The Roebuck

Would you like to join a friendly team to help MHWI achieve its strap line of ‘bigger and bolder’?   Perhaps you like to make things happen or help co-ordinate events, have some good ideas.   Undertaking a role on the Committee is just the way to have a go at this and have fun.  We even meet in a pub!

Then speak to Clare, our President, or one of the Committee members at this month’s meeting.   You can arrange to come along and sit in on a committee meeting to see what we do.  We will have several vacancies this September at the Annual Meeting: President, Membership Secretary, Treasurer and Raffle Coordinator.

Will you be wearing a hat this Wednesday?

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Support Wear a Hat Day at our meeting on 23 March 2016

Support Wear a Hat Day at our meeting on 23 March 2016

At our talk this week, on what happens behind the scenes at the Royal Opera House, we shall be supporting the national Wear a Hat Day.  So, if you would like to get into the theatre groove, wear your hat or fascinator (must be something larger than a hairslide).  Donations of a £1 minimum will be made to Brain Tumour Research.  The first 50 people will receive lapel pins.

This charity is particularly poignant for MHWI member, Jo Brylka, when a brain tumour affected a close family member. Hear more about this on Wednesday.  Jo will be leading on forwarding donations to Brain Tumour Research.

Buy tickets now for Canary Girls

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We need your unwanted bras and new pants!

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bra and pantsDo you have bras that didn’t fit or you just don’t like?  They can be teen bras or nursing bras, too.  They can re used by women in Africa (see link below).

Next time you buy some pants, pick up a spare pack, too (donations of these must be new!).  These can be for children aged 3 to 15 years or womens’, sizes 8 to 16.

Bring them along to a monthly meeting in March or April.  We’re collecting for Smalls for Africa.  We’ll be sending off our collection after the April meeting.  You can also speak to Vicky Watts at the next monthly meeting or email: marketharboroughwi@gmail.com

Smalls for Africa Facebook page

Singing in a choir with Gareth Malone?

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Can you sing?  Could we form our own MHWI choir?   Like to meet Gareth Malone?  Be on TV?

Gareth Malone

Gareth Malone

The BBC are planning a new series of groups singing and this year they are planning to represent the full range of musical styles and genres.  They’re happy to be approached by those who have yet to establish or become part of a group of their own.  So, if you are interested or think you could lead on forming a MHWI choir, email: marketharboroughwi@gmail.com or speak to Clare or a committee member at the March meeting.  We have until 15 April to apply.  More details:  BBAC Flyer

If you are keen, then below is a bit more from the producing company’s email (Twenty Twenty):

‘We’re looking for creative, dynamic and unique groups and people, from across the U.K., of all different shapes and sizes, from all walks of life, who are willing (with Gareth’s help) to push their vocal abilities, meet their full potential, and become the best they can possibly be.

‘Over the course of the series, groups will be allocated contact time with Gareth, who will offer his own expert and enthusiastic guidance, advice and encouragement.  To round off the series, the groups will showcase what they’ve learned, in front of a panel of musical experts.  Impress this panel and you could see your group rewarded with the honorary title of Britain’s best amateur choir. This is going to be a warm, inspiring series, where the singing groups’ musical talent needs to be matched by their heart and enthusiasm, as well as their ability to be creative, inventive and celebrate their love of music and singing.’

Portillo and Prizes!

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Saturday 12th March was a very proud day for MHWI. President Clare, Secretary Isabel, Membership Secretary Patsy and Vicky Atkinson (from the “naughty corner”) all attended the  Federation ACM at Leicester Grammar School.  A day of entertaining speakers and a plethera of competitions to be entered.

After the usual WI meeting business of the day, Timothy Diggle from the Leicestershire Hospitals Charity started the speeches. He gave an insight into the need for charitable donations to the NHS to help with the quality of care. 

Jenny Gilbert of AJ Atkinson, gave a very interesting and humorous account of the preparations, trepidations and achievements of having the honour of being the Funeral Directors for the interment of King Richard III. Her speech was accompanied by pictures of the practice sessions they did in secret and snapshots of the day from her personal point of view.

Before lunch we were also given an education into the workings of the House Of Lords.

But the main event was certainly after lunch!  Vicky spotted Michael Portillo, wearing a scarlet jacket and blue trousers, and she was off in true paparazzi style! She managed to snap him 😃,but not to meet him 😩.

Then we were summoned to the hall. The prize giving was the first item on the afternoon agenda.  They started with the Membership Bell…who won? MHWI!!! Who handed Clare the prize?…Michael Portillo!! A very proud moment for us all, but slightly gutting for Vicky!

  
The Membership Bell is given to the WI with the most new members for the previous year. Clare and the committee are extremely proud to have achieved this award.  It is a result of all the hard work that has been put into all the events that were arranged last year; our fabulous website thanks to Helen Salisbury; and our continual work to provide entertaining and inspirational meetings.  Well done to us all!
After all the other prizes, they pulled the Denman Dip, a prize of £200 towards a course at our beloved Denman. Whose name did they call? Isabel Aldrich!! There was a lot of whooping and cheering from the back. Congratulations Isabel!
 
Michael Portillo then amused us all with anecdotes of his days in politics and his continuing career in TV.  He was very captivating, eloquent and entertaining.

All the ladies would agree that it was a superb day and well worth attending.  Our mission for next year is to ensure that MHWI enters some of the many competitions to show off some of our talented ladies, and you never know, bring home a few more prizes!