Category Archives: Monthly meeting

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.

Tomorrow’s monthly meeting – history of Stamps funeral service

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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

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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

Willow wonderment

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John Shone (left) and Martin Keeley (right) of Rutland Willows with some of their wonderful willow products

Rutland Willows amazed members on Wednesday evening this week with a witty and humorous talk by John Shone and son-in-law, Martin Keeley.

Whilst John introduced us to the numerous varieties of willow, their cultivation, colouring and harvesting, Martin very deftly created some wonderful shapes (see picture below of the dragonfly and fishing rod) plus giving us a useful tip on preserving them with spray on teak oil and, for the very conscientious, clear wood preserver.

It was good to hear that Rutland Willows manages the willow at a local, favourite beauty spot, Fineshade Woods, Corby.  It was fascinating, too, to hear how the demand for willow products dropped during the Second World War with the advent of cheap metals and plastic.  However, it was very pleasing to hear that through a connection with Louise, one of John’s twin daughters, who worked for Geoff Hamilton of Gardeners’ World fame, that incidental use of some willow products in the programmes brought back the demand when everyone wanted willow products in their own garden.

More on the history of Rutland Willows and to se more of their products again, they are having a stand at the Sandringham Flower Show in June.

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Information stand

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Fishing rod and dragonfly – both kindly donated as raffle prizes

 

 

Wonders of Willow – see you at WI tomorrow evening

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Rutland Willows will be showing us many uses of willow and its history.  Sounds fascinating and we have all seen some of the lovely items you can get for the garden.

Lots of updates, too, on all that’s happening on our exciting social programme and the special events for the WI Centenary.

Hope to see you there at 7.30 pm.

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Hypnotherapy-w500-h500Gary Johannas and Caroline Prout engaged members last night with a fascinating insight into how our brains work: front brain and primitive brain (dealing with phobias, anxiety, depression and anger).  It seems we have a bucket where these things go so we can use our sleep to process them.  However, when it gets too full, it all goes wrong!  We discovered that what we need to do is to think positive, active positive and interact socially positively.  We can start by identifying at least one good thing each day.