Do you ever wonder about the ‘District’ part of Market Harborough, and especially what life is like for our farmers? Recently I had the privilege of speaking with one of our local farmers to find out more. David (not his real name for security) talked about the challenges he had faced over the years and even more so now.
Following the great success of our Playsical, One Night Only, our two theatre groups are about to embark on rehearsals for another Murder Mystery Supper Night which will be performed in April, in Kibworth, Smeeton and some of our surrounding villages.
Members of Main Street Theatre Company and Kibworth Theatre Company came together to perform an original production by Ella Wright entitled ‘One Night Only’; which was funny given it was on for five nights! But once you saw the show you understood the premise for the title.
The story circles around an amateur theatre group who are struggling to keep going and want to raise their profile. They find out that Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber is running a competition to find the best amateur theatre company in the UK. So, unsurprisingly, the CRAP group enter (the name being an acronym of the group’s full name and not a reflection of their acting skills on the Kibworth School Stage). The plot was of a great standard. The actors on stage brought it to life with a mix of acting, the singing of popular songs and simple dance routines. Good sound levels and lighting added to the quality of the show.
We sat in cabaret style and the front of house and hospitality volunteers also added to the evening. Unfortunately, I didn’t win in the massive raffle!
The show performed to five audiences. I congratulate Ella and her cast and crew for a successful show and hope to see them perform again in the future.
On the 9th of December, all over the world, people will have been taking to the streets to show the fossil fuel industries and their governments that urgent action really is needed now.
As if by magic Christmas is upon us once more. This year seems to have whizzed by at break-neck speed, mainly because there have been a few changes down at the club… a belated welcome to Food and Beverage Manager, Lucy and Chef, Neil. They have now settled into their new positions and have been busy creating new menus to suit any occasion. Sunday lunches are now being served on selected dates which are proving to be very popular and there are plans afoot for various social events for 2024.
On 9 November we began a busy month by installing our poppy displays in St. Wilfrid’s church. In addition to the pulpit, a cross in each entrance and window ledge decorations, we added a third cross this year which stood near the altar. After Remembrance Day, the poppies remained for a while so that people could enjoy them.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday 11 January at the Methodist Chapel Hall. Doors open at 2pm for a cup of coffee or tea followed, at 2.30pm by The Leicester Line Canal, a talk given by Mary Matts.
2019 Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Majestic, Waitrose £12.99)
Your Christmas table is laden with a multitude of different flavours like turkey or chicken, sausages, bacon, vegetables and cranberry sauce. What sort of wine will stand up to all of that? You need something with fruit, intense flavours and enough tannin and acidity to cut through the richness on offer.
In the 1950s a number of ancient fossils were unearthed of which one, Charnia, has given its name to a variety found not merely in our backyard but also worldwide. In its beginnings Charnwood was part of Avalonia an ancient continent 60 Degrees south of the Equator including most of Britain, Ireland and Newfoundland - 600 million years ago. The very oldest rocks have their genesis as the result of a volcanic eruption that is vaguely near Whitwick and was formed in the Pre Cambrian era. Then came the Cambrian age, its most famous rocks found in Swithland slate. By the advent of the Permian era - 260 million years ago we find Charnwood, now near the Equator, part of the Pangea supercontinent; a desert environment. This is evidential by aeons of dry sand, blasted by the wind to form the current shape of the hills.
Illston On The Hill WI held their AGM in November. This proved to be a very lively meeting. All the various statements were read, digested and approved. The current officers and committee were re-elected. In order to try and encourage some new blood on to the committee we are introducing ‘friends in the WI’. One or two members will be invited to attend a couple of committee meetings during the year to familiarise themselves with the procedures of the WI and give them an insight into what the various tasks entail. We are hoping this will whet appetites and lead to some new and inspirational ideas. The AGM was followed by our annual supper which was lovely.