Following on from our Resolutions night earlier this year, MHWI members might like to read the summary of the 2017 Annual Meeting, voting on this year’s resolutions and speakers (alleviating loneliness and microfibres in our oceans): WI ANNUAL G M REPORT 3 2017
Tag Archives: Annual meeting
‘How did he do that?’
Douglas Maddy astounded MHWI members with his magic tricks at the annual meeting last night leaving them saying, ‘ How did he do that?’
Whether it was swallowing a balloon, or cutting or joining lengths of rope, we couldn’t work how it was done. Douglas did explain one trick though when Patsy Tracey helped him with his toilet paper trick. Apparently it all depends on getting someone to focus on one thing, taking their attention away from what is actually happening elsewhere around them.
While this was taking place, members shared nibbles and drinks with others on their tables. Well done, Douglas: a fun end to an eventful annual meeting.
Magician, Douglas Maddy swallowing a balloon
Carmen Wilson assists Douglas with his toilet paper trick
Thank you Clare, welcome Vicky
Another memorable annual meeting, celebrating MHWI’s fifth, successful year. Clare reminded us of everything we achieved since September 2015, Treasurer, Val, bringing us up to date with our financial position. Clare thanked all Committee members for their support, especially so to Patsy Tracey who has been our Membership Secretary since MHWI was set up.
Clare has been a brilliant President, leading us in her own inimitable way before she reluctantly stepped down last night. It all became a little eleventh hourish with no one stepping up. However, we are delighted to welcome Vicky Watts on board as our new President.
Clare Farquhar, outgoing President, receiving flowers from Carmen Wilson, Secretarial Support and Vice President
Patsy Tracey, outoing Membership Secretary for the past 5 years, with her thank you flowers
Vicky Watts (centre), incoming President
Happy 4th birthday MHWI!
Packed hall for our 4th Annual Meeting
We celebrated our 4th birthday yesterday at our Annual Meeting. A full hall, a homemade raffle, Dutch supper and Beetle Drive, all created a happy, fun evening; people just having a good time.
Clare Farquhar, set the scene, describing her ‘incredible year’ as President. Her vision
for members of ‘unlocking doors and achieving our full potential’ has certainly been achieved with amazing results: the diverse range of visiting speakers at monthly meetings, a craft evening arranged at a moment’s notice when the speaker
Clare Farquhar, President and the Delicious Dutch Supper
pulled out on the day, local and national social events (notably 2 wine and gin distillery visits (!?) and the WI Centenary AGM in London), our first ever float winning the Market Harborough Carnival (thanks again to Gemma for her design input),Tea and Tents (yellow bricks knitted by members will shortly be part of a travelling display in Cambridge and then archived for all times sake), hearing Frances Quinn speak about the background to winning ‘Bake Off,’ and the county wide acclaim for the touring ‘Raising Agents’ show that performed for us (thanks to Fiona Thompson for organising this event).
Laura and Vicky – designers of our Top Tips booklet
Big thanks went to Laura and Vicky for their help in organising and designing our Centenary Top Tips booklet as part of our Centenary celebrations. Similarly, thanks to outgoing Committee members Fiona Thompson, Lynda Meadows, Claire Salisbury and Chela Grainge for all their help. Welcome to Isabel Aldrich and Yvonne Conroy who are stepping up.
Some of the homemade raffle prizes
Enjoying the Beetle Drive
Things to bring tonight
- some nibbles to share for our Dutch supper
- a bottle and glasses if you want to share a drink (optional)
- homemade raffle prize – remember to bring something you have made (or someone else has). Everyone will get a prize this month!
Reminders for Wednesday’s monthly meeting
It’s the Annual Meeting at 7.30 pm in the Congregational Church, Bowden Lane. There’ll also be some games and don’t forget to bring some nibbles to share for our Dutch supper. Bring a bottle and glasses if you want to share a drink.
Homemade raffle – remember to bring something you have made (or someone else has). Everyone will get a prize this month!
Frances Quinn’s fascinating story of the Bake Off
Frances Quinn, Market Harborough’s 2013 Bake Off winner, gave WI members a fascinating insight into how she took up baking through to being selected for and taking part in the Bake Off.
It took a year to get from completing the entry (colleagues at Joules kept leaving entry forms on her desk) to becoming overall winner. The selection process included phone interviews, 2 trips to London, one carrying sample cakes on the train, cooking for Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry and screenshot before getting that long awaited phone call.
Frances humorously took us through the weekly filming process. Again, very demanding, travelling to Bristol each Friday night and being in the Bake Off tent for filming for up to 12 hours a day. Then back to a full time job and fitting in practice baking each evening. Her weekly fridge was often full of 2 kg of butter and cream for ganache!
Frances concluded her talk by demonstrating orange blossom almond paste, using this
to make decorated mice (see picture opposite).
Her book Quinntessential Cooking is being published in late August 2015.
Frances’ talk was part of the Welland WI Group annual meeting, ably organised this year by Great Bowden WI. Well done, too, to the Great Bowden WI choir who entertained us with several songs.
Pages from Frances’ sketch book that she used to plan her bakes for the Bake Off
Diary date Saturday 7 March 2015
How about going along to the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of WI’s Annual Meeting at the Grammar School, Great Glen? Speakers include Angela Rippon, reported to be ‘excellent’. Tickets £10 and opportunities for lift sharing.
Market Harborough WI member Vicky (not committee member Vicky) is entering the cooking competition. Gemma Underwood’s embroidered Centenary brick will also be on display. There will be activities, too, for visitors to join in. Contact a Committee Member at the February meeting to buy your ticket.
Thank you Hazel, Welcome Clare and Carmen
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.There was nervous anticipation as Anne (our Federation Advisor) asked for a new President to be elected and, after some 
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.
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
We had a brief introduction to the campaign that the NFWI is promoting, in which Fiona encouraged members to think about organ donation and most importantly to tell their family of their decision. She emphasised that would-be donors must speak to their families as it is the families who play a vital role by giving consent to organ donation.
There was the usual spread of delicious food to tuck into while we all got busy sewing our lavender hearts.
I personally was amazed and impressed by the array of different interpretations of the craft activity. I think that is my favourite part of doing such activities as we see our members’ personalities reflected in what they produce. I love the photo of the cake, the heart and the raffle tickets as I think it is the perfect reflection of the evening!
Pam Reed, member, sewing her lavender heart
Making a 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.’
Market Harborough WI 