Raising Agents hits the roof!

Bunnington Bunnies, the WI who are the focal point of Raising Agents

Bunnington Bunnies, the WI who are the focal point of Raising Agents

A thunderous round of applause ensured that Raising Agents hit the roof last night.  Over 160 people thoroughly enjoyed an evening of fun, humour, superb acting and singing performed by Ellen Chivers, James McLean, Steve McCourt and Rachel Henley of the touring Mikron Theatre.

Raising Agents ran seamlessly all evening.  Written by Maeve Larkin, the performance aptly summarised the formation of the WI in Canada by a group of farmers’ wives who wanted to support a grieving young mother with tea and a gossip, through to celebrating all that the UK WIs have achieved over the years through annual resolutions and war time efforts.  Moving to the present day, it addressed the issue of a failing WI, struggling to find both members and speakers.  The arrival of a PR guru rapidly brings the WI into the 21st century by the use of social media and rebrands them Bunnington Bunnies.  They were hopping!  Brilliant!

Missed it?  Check out Mikron Theatre tour dates.

Music and singing by Ellen, James, Steve and Rachel

Music and singing by Ellen, James, Steve and Rachel

Trip to Centennial Craft Fair in Harrogate

WI Centenary logo eeD5k3OX_400x400Unfortunately due to lack of support to the WI Centennial Fair it is not viable to run a coach from Market Harborough.   Some members will be going through and will be car sharing.  May be an option for other groups?

If anyone does prefer a coach trip, then the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of WIs is planning a trip on Friday 4 September 2015.  The coach leaves WI House, Leicester LE4 5LQ at 9 am, returning from Harrogate at 4 pm, cost £22 to include coach and admission.  Whilst the fair is open to everyone, this coach trip is for WI members only.  Bookings by Monday 3 August 2015 on Event Booking Form 2015 1 (LRFWI).  Parking limited in Leicester so car sharing recommended.  Public parking in Royal Hotel.

Handmade bouquet fun at Tippetts Florist

Tippetts florist-w500-h500
In the Christmas raffle, I was very lucky & won a voucher for £45 towards a floristry course at Tippetts florists in Oadby!

Last Saturday I joined a small group of ladies at Tippetts florists & we were taught how to create a hand tied bouquet!   The course was very informative, the tutors were friendly & helpful, we were given a great selection of flowers to work with & we all came away with a beautiful handmade bouquet! (All materials included in the price of the course).   I thoroughly enjoyed the day and picked up lots of new skills!

I would recommend Tippetts florists in Oadby if anyone is interested in a floristry course, it was very reasonably priced, the course content well thought out & the tutors were very knowledgeable. It was worth every penny!

Thank you WI, it was a great prize & I had a lovely day!     Emma Page, MHWI member

In touch with WIs in other countries

We are delighted to have made contact with WIs in Melbourne, Australia and Canada.  You can check out the Country Women’s Association  We hope to be exchanging gifts and keepsakes with them this summer and will be sharing these with you.  Donna, their Executive Director, is most impressed with our website and particularly likes our motto ‘Something old, something new.’

Our second contact has been with Shelagh, a nurse living in the middle of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a city with a population of about 750,000.  She has visited the UK and particularly liked Durham and the people.  Shelagh also said she had, ‘visited your website, and it appears that you have a lot going on these days!!’  

Do you have a contact with a WI or similar organisation elsewhere in the world?  If so, do get in touch with them and share our website, Facebook and Twitter pages or pass on the contact details to a Committee Member or Contact Us.  Let’s make this Centenary year the one where Market Harborough WI connects worldwide!

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Last chance for Top Tips and Recipes

WI Centenary logo eeD5k3OX_400x40031st May is your last chance to submit tips and recipes for our WI Centenary Top Tips booklet due out later this year.  Get emailing and send them to: marketharboroughwi@gmail.com

You can also hand them in to a Committee member at the May monthly meeting.

(copyright – your personal, favourite recipes, please!)