Ben Frazer, Great British Bake-Off contestant in 2011
Reminder that we have the Great British Bake Off contestant, Ben Frazer, demonstrating sugarcraft at our April meeting on 27th April. Do bring £3 with you for supplies so that you can take part in the workshop and practise your decorating skills.
The Craft Fair is just around the corner on Saturday 16 April, 11 am to 3 pm. If you can put up a poster or hand some out to friends and family, then please print off a couple of copies of this file: WI craft Fair flyer (1)
Thank you for your help. See you there on the day, too!
Tansy and Karen preparing for their first Harborough in Bloom tidy up
MHWI members, Tansy and Karen, last month as they started work on flower tubs as part of Hatborough in Bloom.
Do you live and breathe pottery? Perhaps you aspire to become a full-time professional? 
Or, are you looking to take the next step up in your pottery practice? Maybe you simply want to show the nation your work! Then Love Productions is scouring the country for experienced amateurs to appear in their next, successful TV series on BBC2. BW Pottery Flyer
NFWI news – April (1) – the latest national WI news includes updates on a wide range of 
topics: you can congratulate the Queen on her 90th birthday: Queen’s Birthday Book on Facebook (page 1 of newsletter), whilst writers among you may like to reflect on what they have learned from their lifer and enter a 500 page letter (and photos) to your younger self for the Denman Cup by 5 August (page 4) and crafters can check out WI blogs and workshops (page 6).
Jo Brylka is delighted to announce, that following last night’s donations and those today from the staff at Market Harborough C of E Academy, we have raised £100 for Brain Tumour Research!
Jo wants to say a massive “THANK YOU!” to everyone for wearing your lovely hats and looking very glamorous.
Clare wants to thank the staff at work for their support towards this donation to make it to the £100.
‘What a huge, logistical operation,’ is the impression that Market Harborough WI members left with this evening after a superb talk by Chloe Miller Smith, daughter of Committee member Annabel Smith.
Chloe joined the Royal Opera House 4 years’ ago following a speculative job application for a part time role when she left university. From there, she has progressed to a full time project manager’s role, which gives her the unique opportunity to work with both The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet.
Chloe was able to outline some of the history of the buildings situated in Covent Garden. She then regaled us with fascinating snippets of the work of the various departments (1,500 full time staff are employed plus a whole range of part timers), artists’ training, how the various practice rooms are used (the building has 9 floors), performers’ practice schedules (ballet dancers are contracted for a 6 day week, including daily practice and a number of weekly performances), rehearsal schedules, scene changing several times a day and not to mention the licensed armoury!
Chloe brought along some costumes to show us (see picture above). Both are several years’ old as they are cleaned, refurbished and reused each time a production is performed over the years. She also brought along several pairs of ballet shoes, describing how the dancers sew on their own ribbons and elastic, as well as bashing them to soften them. Lead dancers can get through 3 pairs in one performance! Chloe also had special permission to bring a range of daggers and a sword used in performances.
We watched several, short videos during the talk and these can be seen on U Tube. You can also check out the comprehensive Royal Opera House website and maybe plan to visit some open sessions: World Ballet Day, Insights at the Royal Opera House and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
Support Wear a Hat Day at our meeting on 23 March 2016
Congratulations to Jo and team: £58 was raised this today from donations by Market Harborough WI members who wore a diverse range of headwear this evening to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
In the mood for supporting wear a hat this evening.
Market Harborough WI 