Still time to book your place to see the costumes of Jane Austen

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Fans of Jane Austen and the Georgian era will welcome the opportunity to watch a costume presentation by the unique History Wardrobe.  It’s on the evening of Thursday 24 September 2015 Barkby (about 30 minutes drive from MH).  Bookings needed by Thursday 20 August latest.  If you would like to make up a small group visiting this event, then email Fiona Thompsonl: marketharboroughwi@gmail.com.  More details: Ladies of a Certain Age – Thursday 24 September 2015

 

Tea and tents 2015

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Clare Farquhar and Fiona Thompson enjoying Tea and Tents 2015

What have your President Clare Farquhar and Secretary Fiona Maxwell Thompson been up to now?!  Tea & Tents 2015 was as much fun as last year.  This year was bigger and better and Walesby Activity Centre that allowed more space and a wider range of activities. 

 The yarn bomb, We’re Not In Kansas Anymore, that depicted characters from The Wizard of Oz was STUNNING, especially the 3 sections of road supplied by MHWI!  This year the yarn bomb was raising money for Daisy Change.  This is the first WI to be set up in a mental health facility.  They will be using the installation at a charity event to raise more funds.  Then in October, the city of Bradford have asked to borrow the whole lot as part of their No Place Like Home event.  Then to top it all, one of the campers happened to work at The National Textile Archive specifically looking after WI treasures, and they want to keep the yarn bomb and preserve it!  They even want to take it on tour!  Thanks to all MHWI ladies that contributed to road, especially Carmen, who I know loved joining it altogether!😉
Next year’s yarn bomb has already been decided upon as Discwoolled, which is celebrating the writing of  Terry Pratchett.  This is in tribute to Terry Pratchett and we hope to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research.  As soon as we know any details we’ll let you know and we hope that MHWI will rise to the challenge!
The weekend was filled with lots of giggles, making and doing.  It was a great event to see the true diversity of the members of the WI.  This is a volunteer led event and lots of ladies shared their skills and ideas during workshops and seminars.  There were sports events too, and though we didn’t join in, we’re keen to get the rules of Quidditch for Muggles, as it looked really good fun.
There were lots of ladies with flowers in their hair following a Flower Crown Workshop, and a few. funky “arm knitting” scarves could be spotted.  Fiona and I got busy making lampshades.  It was so much easier than I thought it would be, and as long as you have a helpful friend to give a hand it’s definitely worth a go.  (Might just have a MHWI craft night coming on!)  I also had a go at papercutting which I missed out on last year.  Again this is great fun with quick results.  (N.B. Craft night no.2).
There was knitting and crochet galore.  Complete beginners to improvers classes.  There were sessions on felting, braiding and zip flowers to name but a few.  As well as crafting, Speakers Corner allowed ladies to share things close to their hearts for means of education, but also, being able to voice certain subjects in a safe and supportive environment.  Fiona heard one lady sharing the story of her son who lives with epilepsy.  Another woman talked about caring for her husband with Alzheimer’s.  Others spoke of how they have set up WI’s such as Daisy Change mentioned above and in a women’s prison in Northern Ireland.

No WI event would be the same without tea and jam and there was an abundance of both.  Sue Foster from Stanwick WI had organised a tea party that was sponsored by Yorkshire Tea, Waitrose and a cream company that I currently do not have to hand!  She organised afternoon tea and scones for 2 days.  On top of that she also led a jam making workshop, and let us tell you, that woman knows how to make jam!!  

There were competitions aplenty.  Make a camp blanket; make a bag out of a pair of trousers; poetry reading (won by Clare!); and of course the obligatory WI raffle with prizes donated by the ladies that had sold their wares at the Market Place for 2 hours on Saturday.  Clare had a stall again this year and did really well!

Evenings had group events to join in with, a camp fire and then a quiz night.  But the beauty of Tea and Tents is that you come and go as you please.  Some ladies had organised their own Curry Night and another group had a beer swap, and, try as we might to find it, (apparently we walked past it twice) there was also a Gin Palace for a tasting or two!

We hope that this gives you some insight.  It sells out quickly, but if you are interested in going next year we will keep you posted.  Can’t recommend it enough, it’s just so much fun!

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New social events, including Frances Quinn

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Check out these WI Leicestershire & Rutland events taking place later this year:

Lunch club – Sept – 25 September at WI House, Leicester

Festive Expectations – Christmas cookery demonstrations including Market Harborough’s Bake Off winner, Frances Quinn – 14 November in Kibworth

Christmas Crafts Nov – Craft fair in Glenfield on 28 November

Volunteering for our local Loros shop – can you help?

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Do you have a few hours to spare each week or maybe once a fortnight (perhaps you are working and can do a half day one week and a friend the other?)?  If so, please contact Karen, the new manager of the Loros shop in Market Harborough.  Volunteers are needed for front of shop work, behind the scenes and clothes sorting.  Pop in and have a chat with Karen.

Loros raises money for the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospices.  The shop in Harborough is being given a face lift in September and so why not join at this new turning point?  The shop is located at Unit 5, Manor Walk, Coventry Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9BP.  Call on (01858) 432539  Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-4.30pm

Welland Valley Vineyard evening

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Welland Valley Vineyard evening out

Welland Valley Vineyard evening out

The 2.5 acre Vineyard and cider orchard was established in 1991 by both David and Jane Bates on a south facing slope between Marston Trussell and East Farndon. Last Wednesday 15th July, 17 members visited  the vineyard for a tour and a talk about their production. It was a lovely evening sitting  outside amongst the vines hearing about how the vineyard was set up and all that is involved with the wine production throughout the year, all of which is done by the couple themselves. A variety of French and German vines are cultivated to produce their quality bottle fermented sparkling wines, with the grapes all  being pressed and vinefied and bottled all on site. Cider apples are also grown and made into an award winning cider, namely Roundhead and King Richard 111.
It was a really interesting and enjoyable evening with sampling of some of their wines to make the evening complete!

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