Pretty impressive, don’t you think? Thank you Lesley for your imaginative idea and leadership throughout this work. Lets hope that we do find a suitable permanent home for it. Would all contributors sign the fabric that I will bring to the AGM and then we will attach to the back.
Last Wednesday, Barbara Ann and I , visited the current Progressive Threads exhibition,”Whispers from the past”.
It is a lovely venue, good parking and cafe and the exhibition room is well lit. You can see above that Ann and Barbara are intrigued . Ann is checking to find photos of herself. Why? How?Maybe Pauline piece of work will explain this.
The exhibition lasts until30August. Mon to Fri 12 till 4 and weekend 12 till 5.00pm. Small entrance charge to the site.
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum. BB4 4NP
Last weekend Jennifer Bamford, Eileen Holmes and I, attended the NW Region, Summer School at Alston Hall. By co-incidence we had all chosen Kath Danswans Silk Bowl class. We began with a huge silk cap which Kath promised would be transformed into a stunning creation, similar to her own.
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Ruth Peel demonstrated how to make and bead, stunning tassels.
And finally Annette Morgan ran a three day course”Dying to Stitch”.This time fabrics were dyed using microwaves and then embellished with stitches.
So just a taster to show what happens at our summer school. I have added the new details to the Web site BUT you cannot apply until Jan 2011. I have lots more photos if anyone would like them.
We had a most unusual July meeting. Due to varied commitments by members of the committee it was decided to combine our EGM and Annual meal into one evening. So about 40 members attended a short EGM at Ridgmont House where the committee for 2010 –2011 was approved. We then celebrated with a Kir Royal or Bucks Fizz and then moved upstairs to enjoy a delicious meal.
Ann plans to send our the usual Chairs letter during August but wanted to remind all members that the Mollys Cup competition to be judged at the AGM in September is Buildings and Architecture.
Also for anyone unable to attend the EGM, Ann announced that our country for the postcard challenge is Bulgaria.More details about this in September.
Well we certainly saved the best until last. I was delighted to see that one of our founder members, Eileen Pepper , was to talk about “Tudor Times “ and was not disappointed. One clue to this, was perhaps the variety of artifacts and embroideries that were displayed.
Eileen gave an amusing and comprehensive talk about the hardships of life in Tudor times. She passed around a range of items including a tussie mussie and a hand made orange and clove pomander.
Ann our Chair was not able to just sit and listen as she was used as a model. Eileen had loaned her a thin white shift and then proceeded to dress Ann in rich Tudor clothing. 
As Ann said in her vote of thanks, that Eileen gave us such an informative and entertaining talk and we all wish that we had such History teachers when we were at school .Thank you Eileen.
EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD - BOLTON BRANCH
NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2010
GUILD NEWS
A message of sympathy was sent to the family of Charles Gotto, the Guild President from the North West Region, tragically killed in a farming accident, as it was too far for anyone to attend the funeral.
Summer School at Alston Hall – There are a few places left for Elaine Peel’s Beaded Tassels workshop from 16th – 18th July, or as a day student for the Saturday at a cost of £44, including morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. Contact Sheila Shaw (s.shaw@sk12.demon.co.uk) for further details or to book.
EXHIBITIONS
There are quite a lot of these at the moment, so I have listed them briefly. If you are going further afield this summer, the Embroiderers’ Guild website has a long list of exhibitions from all over the country and beyond.
BANKFIELD MUSEUM Boothtown Road Halifax - 10+ Textiles. Until July 4th Tuesday – Saturday 10 – 5. Sunday 1 – 4.
DRUMCROON GALLERY 2 Parson’s Walk Wigan - Textile Narratives. Until June 22nd, featuring the work of Val Jackson & Jane McKeating. Tel. 01942 233303
TOUCHSTONES GALLERY Rochdale - Knit One Purl One – an exhibition of contemporary knitting & crochet. Until 4th July, Monday – Saturday 10 – 5, Sunday 12 – 4.30.
PLATFORM GALLERY Clitheroe – Artefact. Until July 17th, including work by textile artists Alice Kettle and Isabelle Wright as well as other artists working in glass, ceramics etc
WHITWORTH ART GALLERY Oxford Road Manchester - The Manchester. Until July 1st Monday – Saturday 10 – 5, Sunday 12 – 4. Thomas Wardle & India.
The HARRIS MUSEUM and Art Gallery in Preston - Embellished: The Art of fabulous fabrics, runs until November 2010. Open Monday- Saturday 10am – 5pm except Tuesday 11am – 5pm. Tel. 01772 258248.
FARFIELD MILL Sedburgh Cumbria – Trees in the Park, quilted textiles by Turning Point. Until July 11th. AlsoWear It – wearable textile art from July 11th - September 19th. 10.30 -5 daily. Tel. 015396 21958.
WEST PARK UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Harrogate. An exhibition by Harrogate Branch of the Guild from June29th – July 10th Wednesday – Saturday 11 - 4 Tel. 01257 463113 for information.
ECCLES FARM Eccles Lane Bispham Green Nr. Ormskirk. City & Guilds Textiles Exhibition, June 30th – July10th, Wednesday – Saturday 11 – 4 Tel 01257 463113.
HELMSHORE MILLS TEXTILE MUSEUM Holcome Road Helmshore. Whispers from the Past – Bolton Progressive Threads. From July 3rd – August 30th, daily 12 – 5. Tel. 01706 226459. NB There is an admission charge.
TURTON TOWER 10 Decades of the Barlow Institute in Stitches Edgeworth Craft Group – 10 tapestries depicting images from local, national and international events to commemorate 108 years of the Barlow Institute. From Augush4th – 30th. Normal entrance fee applies.
ADVANCE NOTICE
The AGM will be on September 21st and we will be having a talk about the project to make a bonnet for every woman who was deported to Tasmania.
REMINDERS
Don’t forget the EGM will be held at Ridgemont before our annual summer meal on 20th July, starting at 7.00pm. If you would like to join the committee, please let Ann know before the meeting.
Don’t forget that Val has set up a blog for Bolton EG at http://begstitchers.blogspot.com/ .
Also just a reminder that the Guild web address is www.embroiderersguild.com
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I was double booked on Saturday and was therefore unable to attend the day school. A friend from Australia was returning home after a few days with me. However , Fiona had formally lived in Bolton for one year and I encouraged her to join our guild. So on the way to the train we called in.Our members were busy making canvas work squares to be collated into an installation. Fiona was given a warm welcome and was frustrated that we did not have the time to join in. She was impressed with the range of colour and techniques used. I have promised to send her a photo of the finished work.
As area 2 rep for the NW committee, I plan to visit as many of the branches in my area as possible. I began in May with a visit to Glossop. After a very warm welcome, I looked forward t0 their speaker, Maggie Wilde who told us about bonnets being made to recognise the women convicts deported to Australia in the 18th century. There has been some publicity about this, but Maggie was so enthusiastic and made this project come to life. I went back to my Branch and she has now been invited to our AGM in September. I’m sure there will be many bonnets made by our members.
It was a glorious day on Wednesday as I drove over to Little Morton Hall to see the Altrincham exhibition. I was really impressed as always with their work and the extra special setting that was chosen. Sandra the Altrincham Chair was there and we had time for a chat too.
On Saturday I went to celebrate with Rochdale at their cream tea. Of course they also had an exhibition and many “shopping opportunities”. I was really honoured when Jan the Rochdale Chair asked me to present a silver badge to Marjorie Davies who had just completed 25 years with the Guild. A delightful day.
