Buy tickets now for Canary Girls

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Learn to make cocktails

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cocktails_1 (1)-w500-h500Enjoy a superb night out on Friday 20 May at Revolution, Leicester learning how to make cocktails.  Not only that, relax with other MHWI members and enjoy a 2 course meal.  We shall look at sharing transport nearer the time.  Cost £35 each.  Bring cash or cheque, please, to the March or April monthly meeting.

We need your unwanted bras and new pants!

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bra and pantsDo you have bras that didn’t fit or you just don’t like?  They can be teen bras or nursing bras, too.  They can re used by women in Africa (see link below).

Next time you buy some pants, pick up a spare pack, too (donations of these must be new!).  These can be for children aged 3 to 15 years or womens’, sizes 8 to 16.

Bring them along to a monthly meeting in March or April.  We’re collecting for Smalls for Africa.  We’ll be sending off our collection after the April meeting.  You can also speak to Vicky Watts at the next monthly meeting or email: marketharboroughwi@gmail.com

Smalls for Africa Facebook page

Singing in a choir with Gareth Malone?

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Can you sing?  Could we form our own MHWI choir?   Like to meet Gareth Malone?  Be on TV?

Gareth Malone

Gareth Malone

The BBC are planning a new series of groups singing and this year they are planning to represent the full range of musical styles and genres.  They’re happy to be approached by those who have yet to establish or become part of a group of their own.  So, if you are interested or think you could lead on forming a MHWI choir, email: marketharboroughwi@gmail.com or speak to Clare or a committee member at the March meeting.  We have until 15 April to apply.  More details:  BBAC Flyer

If you are keen, then below is a bit more from the producing company’s email (Twenty Twenty):

‘We’re looking for creative, dynamic and unique groups and people, from across the U.K., of all different shapes and sizes, from all walks of life, who are willing (with Gareth’s help) to push their vocal abilities, meet their full potential, and become the best they can possibly be.

‘Over the course of the series, groups will be allocated contact time with Gareth, who will offer his own expert and enthusiastic guidance, advice and encouragement.  To round off the series, the groups will showcase what they’ve learned, in front of a panel of musical experts.  Impress this panel and you could see your group rewarded with the honorary title of Britain’s best amateur choir. This is going to be a warm, inspiring series, where the singing groups’ musical talent needs to be matched by their heart and enthusiasm, as well as their ability to be creative, inventive and celebrate their love of music and singing.’

Portillo and Prizes!

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Saturday 12th March was a very proud day for MHWI. President Clare, Secretary Isabel, Membership Secretary Patsy and Vicky Atkinson (from the “naughty corner”) all attended the  Federation ACM at Leicester Grammar School.  A day of entertaining speakers and a plethera of competitions to be entered.

After the usual WI meeting business of the day, Timothy Diggle from the Leicestershire Hospitals Charity started the speeches. He gave an insight into the need for charitable donations to the NHS to help with the quality of care. 

Jenny Gilbert of AJ Atkinson, gave a very interesting and humorous account of the preparations, trepidations and achievements of having the honour of being the Funeral Directors for the interment of King Richard III. Her speech was accompanied by pictures of the practice sessions they did in secret and snapshots of the day from her personal point of view.

Before lunch we were also given an education into the workings of the House Of Lords.

But the main event was certainly after lunch!  Vicky spotted Michael Portillo, wearing a scarlet jacket and blue trousers, and she was off in true paparazzi style! She managed to snap him 😃,but not to meet him 😩.

Then we were summoned to the hall. The prize giving was the first item on the afternoon agenda.  They started with the Membership Bell…who won? MHWI!!! Who handed Clare the prize?…Michael Portillo!! A very proud moment for us all, but slightly gutting for Vicky!

  
The Membership Bell is given to the WI with the most new members for the previous year. Clare and the committee are extremely proud to have achieved this award.  It is a result of all the hard work that has been put into all the events that were arranged last year; our fabulous website thanks to Helen Salisbury; and our continual work to provide entertaining and inspirational meetings.  Well done to us all!
After all the other prizes, they pulled the Denman Dip, a prize of £200 towards a course at our beloved Denman. Whose name did they call? Isabel Aldrich!! There was a lot of whooping and cheering from the back. Congratulations Isabel!
 
Michael Portillo then amused us all with anecdotes of his days in politics and his continuing career in TV.  He was very captivating, eloquent and entertaining.

All the ladies would agree that it was a superb day and well worth attending.  Our mission for next year is to ensure that MHWI enters some of the many competitions to show off some of our talented ladies, and you never know, bring home a few more prizes!

Royal Butler insight at Welland WI group meeting

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William French, former Royal Butler

William French, former Royal Butler

‘What is it like to meet the Queen?  Or serve on the Royal Yacht Britannia when it’s being used for a honeymoon?’  These questions, and some other royal secrets, were ably shared with Welland Group members last night by William J French, former Royal Butler.

William has also worked for employers including the Rothschild family, the Saudi Royal Family and Nicole Kudman, actress (and thereby lies a story of the chicken fillets … ?).*

Several  MHWI members attended the annual group meeting, this year hosted by Caldecott WI.  An entertaining evening, with a delightful, homemade tea and rounded off by a game of Pointless, where several of our members scored low, just missing winning the competition.

*Am sure we will be booking William for an MHWI meeting to hear his full story.

MHWI members at the Welland Group meeting

MHWI members at the Welland Group meeting

 

Unused or unwanted wool needed

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knitting-w500-h500The Market Harborough Carers Knit & Natter group are making items for various charities and they are running out of wool. So if anyone has a stash of unused or unwanted good quality wool going spare please let us know or drop it off at The Settling Rooms in Market Harborough.  (posted on Facebook 9 March 2015 by MHWI member Diane Claridge who works for SLVS)

MHWI team supports Harborough in Bloom

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We’re certainly living up to our  President’s strap line, ‘Bigger and Bolder’, this year.  We’re delighted to hear that MHWI members are trying out new things.  Member, Tansy Tilly, says, ‘I believe there are now 5 of us volunteering to help keep the tubs tidy on St Mary’s Rd for Harborough in Bloom.’

Homebase supports MHWI team preparing for this seasons's Harborough in Bloom

Homebase supports MHWI team preparing for this seasons’s Harborough in Bloom

‘As I work at Homebase I asked if they could help us out with a basic starter kit. They have kindly donated all this. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather on Friday when the kit will have its first outing! Tansy x’

‘Fantastic! Thank you so much! This has really made my day.’ confirms Clare, our President.