Category Archives: Market Harborough WI

Welland Valley Vineyard evening

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Welland Valley Vineyard evening out

Welland Valley Vineyard evening out

The 2.5 acre Vineyard and cider orchard was established in 1991 by both David and Jane Bates on a south facing slope between Marston Trussell and East Farndon. Last Wednesday 15th July, 17 members visited  the vineyard for a tour and a talk about their production. It was a lovely evening sitting  outside amongst the vines hearing about how the vineyard was set up and all that is involved with the wine production throughout the year, all of which is done by the couple themselves. A variety of French and German vines are cultivated to produce their quality bottle fermented sparkling wines, with the grapes all  being pressed and vinefied and bottled all on site. Cider apples are also grown and made into an award winning cider, namely Roundhead and King Richard 111.
It was a really interesting and enjoyable evening with sampling of some of their wines to make the evening complete!

vineyard3-w500-h500 vineyard1-w500-h500

‘Bob Ross’ painting technique demonstrated

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Jayne Good with her painting created using the 'Bob Ross' wet on wet oil technique

Jayne Good with her painting created using the ‘Bob Ross’ wet on wet oil technique

Anyone can paint!  That was the message on Wednesday this week when artist, Jayne Good, expertly demonstrated a very effective, wet-on-wet oil technique.  A landscape picture was gradually built up within the hour and raffled at the end (pictured above).  Jayne’s witty commentary was humorously interjected with demonstrations of techniques that included ‘flicky over,’ ‘curly whorly,’ and ‘whacking.’

Jayne also explained how she had tried working in various mediums, including water colour, coming across the Bob Ross technique unintentionally on a birthday treat painting day.  She enjoyed it so much she became a Bob Ross instructor, now teaching a range of workshops and undertaking regular work with people who have had strokes or are experiencing mental health problems.  More examples of Jaynes’ work are below:

Jayne Good-w500-h500 (4) Jayne Good-w500-h500 (3) Jayne Good-w500-h500 (2)

Inspiration for budding artists

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Tomorrow evening, Broughton Astley artist, Jayne Good, will be painting and creating another masterpiece using many techniques.   She specialises in a wet on oil technique which you can check out on this U tube link.  She will be selling off the painting at the end of the evening.  This may inspire some artists amongst us!

See you at the Congregational Church Hall, Bowden Lane at 7.30 pm.

Could you be one of our Committee members?

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Our September AGM isn’t too far away now.  Carmen, Clare F and Fiona have all expressed their interest in remaining in post on the  Committee.  We can have 12 people max.  If you would be interested in joining us to help out generally or undertake a specific role, then we’d love to hear from you.  Speak to Carmen, Clare or Fiona at the July monthly meeting.

Set your DVD for the 20th!

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Cake Bakers and Troublemakes should set their DVD  for 9 pm, Monday 20 July on BBC2.
 
At the Annual Meeting in June, one of the speakers, Lucy Worsley, mentioned she was making a documentary to mark 100 years of WI called Cake Bakers and Trouble Makers.  This is going to be aired on Monday.

Set your machines to record!!

Don’t miss out on Things to Do

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Don’t miss the chance to join in a fun social event organised by Market Harborough WI.  Keep up to date by visiting our regularly updated Things to Do pages.  We are now also including items taking place around the county.  There’s national events, too, and a new page on Competitions

Don’t forget Centenary events.

Designer needed for cover for our Centenary booklet

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Budding designers are asked to submit their ideas for an A5 cover for our very own Hints and Tips booklet that Market Harborough WI will be producing later this year.  Each member will receive their own copy.  It will contain loads of hints and tips that make our busy lives easier, as well as favourite recipes.  Ideas, please, by the July monthly meeting.

Have a go at kurling

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Would you like to have a go at Indoor Kurling?  There is a taster session on Thursday afternoon, 1 October in Leicester at The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre. If you would like to join a small group from Market Harborough then speak to Fiona Thompson at the July monthly meeting or email marketharboroughwi@gmail.com.  Bookings have to be in by Thursday 20 August 2015.  Full details: Indoor Kurling – 1 October 15

How did your skills raffle prize go?

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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

Funerals 2015 style

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Jonathan Stamp-w500-h500Facebook, 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.