Previous Meetings page

The Bradford Guild of Handweavers, Spinners and Dyers

	Photos of Previous Guild Meetings and Events
	Masham Sheep Fair September 2009 by Penny Leonard, Guild Chairman Once again we joined with Craven guild to demonstrate our crafts and show off our work. Here are Jeni and Daniella setting up our stall in the schoolroom and below are some of Maureen’s luscious silk yarns. We did sell some items, despite the current economic climate, and the weather was kind to us. There were lots of sheep as usual and this year, there were lots of lovely fleece for sale. Ian Walker pipped me at the post and bought the lovely Wensleydale fleece that was just so shiny, but at £40 a bit out of my price range! Sadly, the lovely antique (aka junk) shop behind the café is now an up market art gallery selling glassware. Oh well, it’s progress of a sort. Prizes were won in the competition. I won’t say we scooped the pool, and one of us (ahem) made the mistake of entering two items in the same class, but we felt that we had done our bit to support the event. Here is Kathy showing off her prizewinning yarn. Edna won a first prize for her dyed yarn and second for her jumper. I won a first for my Estonian lace shawl and second for my lacy gloves, but sadly in the same class! Never mind! Some members of my family were only there for the beer, can’t think why, but for me it was good to meet up with old friends and just savour the atmosphere. Let’s hope that next year will be as good, if not better.
	Mixing with the rich and famous at Weeton Show 26th July 2009 by Penny Leonard, Guild Chairman Following our successful debut at Arthington show we were invited to demonstrate at the Weeton show the following weekend. This was a different type of show with wealthy folk much in evidence. The chairman, David Beresford, is a well known TV producer and director and is also an artist. So aren’t we grand! As our invitation was only confirmed three days before the show, we weren’t sure whether we would be undercover or not. So with heavy rain forecast and armed with umbrellas we arrived at the ground. It started raining as we waited to find out where our pitch was and carried on for some time. But we’re hardy souls, so a bit of rain didn’t put us off and indeed our gazebo was rather more substantial than the one we had at Arthington. NB not a good idea to start a gazebo war! Here we are spinning away. Note Sara, our newest member, drafted in at short notice, but proving herself to be a real asset! See also, David Beresford attracting a crowd as he decides whether to take up spinning! See how much Edna’s peg loom rug has grown in a week! A tiring day, but well worth the effort and we stayed more or less dry!
	Our day out at Arthington Show 19th July 2009 by Penny Leonard, Guild Chairman We were invited to demonstrate spinning and weaving at the Arthington show by the secretary Shellie Pedley. The Show Chairman, Alan Raw, kindly gave us two Portland fleeces from his pet sheep with a request that we spin the wool at the show. Aren’t they cute? The breed is very ancient and rare and are in demand by breeders, but these are 6 year old castrated rams kept as pets. I picked the fleeces up from Alan’s smallholding a week beforehand and washed them so that we could spin the wool at the show. The fleece is soft and springy and very white, but judging by the amount of vegetable matter included, these two spend a lot of time rolling in burdock! Here we are spinning at the show! The white fleece in the basket is one of the Portland fleeces. Our Gazebo, kindly provided by the organisers, but erected by us, was somewhat flimsy and during the afternoon the wind got up and…… Luckily, no-one was standing close, but sadly, the gazebo perished. However, we lived to fight another day! skip to top
	Ply split braiding workshop with Julie Hedges June 2009 Examples of our work on display at Countryside Live October 2008
	17th May 2008 Selecting items for the National Exhibition held in Liverpool. skip to top
	17th February 2008 Workshop with Dot Seddon; Warp, Weave, Beetle and Mount! Dot showed us how to weave with torn paper using a linen warp to make bookmarks or book covers. After weaving the items were wetted, beaten with a rolling pin, or similar blunt object and then ironed to complete the finishing process. We all had a great time and produced some lovely work.
	Christmas Party December 2006 We all had a good time and everyone came away with a present from the Secret Santa! skip to top