Did 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.
We had a fun, and at times emotional, Annual Meeting on Wednesday, 24 September, during which we thanked Hazel as she stepped down from being our President after three wonderful and inspiring years. We shall definitely miss her fun and infectious style but look forward to seeing her being able to enjoy our meetings rather than being on the sidelines keeping everything going.
heart-stopping moments and a bit more prompting, Clare Farquhar bravely stepped up having been “cajoled” by various members of the committee. Clare asked that she was supported in the role by having a co-chairperson to help and Carmen Wilson put her hand up for that with Fiona Thompson becoming Secretary. We also thanked Jill Reeve for all her hard work on the Committee (as she is stepping down) and welcomed Annabel Smith as a new member of the Committee.
WI Book Sculptures presented to Committee Members by outgoing President, Hazel Stacey
Pam Reed, member, sewing her lavender heart
‘Here’s an example of the craft activity we are doing at the WI AGM tomorrow night.
It’s to tie in with the WI’s Time to Talk about organ donation,’ says committee member Fiona Thompson.
‘The WI’s campaign encourages members to have a think about donation, make a decision and then talk about it to someone close to them. Time to Talk About Organ Donation is about easing the burden on grieving families. When families have a clear idea about what their deceased loved-one wanted, it makes it so much easier for them to fulfill their wishes. – See more at the WI’s national campaign website.’
Fiona concludes, ‘Our ladies will get to practise their whip stitch and make a lavender scented heart. I look forward to seeing you all there tomorrow evening.’
Yes, our very own Hazel Stacey will be stepping down as President at the AGM this month. If you think you could undertake this role, please call 07547 890 756 and find out more about this important role. You can also speak to any committee member at the AGM this Wednesday, 24 September.
Yes, another year has almost passed. Market Harborough WI will be 3 years’ old!
The evening will begin with the AGM. We’ll be considering the resolution to go forward to the National Federation of WIs, that of organ donation. This will then be followed by plenty of time to chat with other members and share a Dutch supper (do remember to bring some food to share). If you would like to enjoy a glass of wine, that’s fine – bring a bottle and some glasses.
While eating and drinking, we’ll also be making a decoration: a heart to go with the organ donation theme. Lots to keep you busy and a fun evening. See you there.
(Want some more ideas for making a heart decoration or similar activities? Go to www.Pinterest.com)
In August when we would not normally have a monthly meeting, several members kindly offered to share their hobbies with other members. See what they got up to in the pictures below:
Thank you to everyone who helped to plan and run this event earlier in July, not to mention a similar big thank you for all the wonderful cakes members made and donated. Your WI made a total profit of £233.57! This will go along way to supporting funds, such as room hire fees, etc each year.
June’s meeting visiting speaker was Norma Blakey. Hazel Stacey, President, reports, ‘I was interested in this particular speaker simply as I had never heard of flower reading before. Everyone had picked a flower from their garden and placed it in a paper bag. Norma then chose a bag at random and gently cupped it in her hands and somehow got feelings/ vibes from it.’
‘It was fascinating that Norma could feel things from a flower picked from someone’s garden and could, in certain examples, get people’s personalities down to a tea.’
‘I was amazed how she was able to tell if someone had had a sore throat for months and had just been to the doctors that week about it and another person who is in a lull and has been for sometime and when asked if this is correct the lady said yes!’
‘ Very, very interesting night. So much so that I am hoping to get a small group of ladies together to have individual flower readings with Norma.’
Fiona Thompson, MHWI committee member, reports, ‘We had a great evening of Jam Making with Rosie from Rosie makes Jam. She gave an interesting talk on the history of preserving and explained that in essence what we do during the preserving process is replace moisture with sugar, salt or vinegar or a combination of these. She encouraged us not to throw away things like squeezed lemons as, with a bit of planning, these can be made into wonderful things like lemoncello liquer. Rose has a great website with lots of recipes and a great mobile phone app which has recipe finder that can be adjusted according to the amount of product you have (e.g. if you have a glut of courgettes).’ Rose makes jam
‘We made blackcurrant jam using 1kg of fruit, 1 kg of sugar and the juice of one-two lemons. We 
were all amazed by how easy it was. She gave us a few simple pointers and in a short time, we were all proudly pouring our jam into the jars. It was an inspiring evening and showed us that jam-making/preserving does not have to be the huge, time consuming task that some of us may remember our mothers and grandmothers enduring. A small amount of effort and simple equipment can result in some wonderful tasting jam. Get Jamming Ladies!’
