March issue - Magazine - Page 33
Glenside
News
GlensideNews@mail.com
COMMUNITY
WITHAM ON THE HILL WI REPORT
Helen and Beth, 'The Wild Woolers', with the aid of
slides, spoke of their local independent business in
Gosberton and Quadring, just north of Spalding. Their
focus is on celebrating and preserving wool from rare
and endangered British sheep breeds. Each breed has
its own unique texture, colour and history.
Helen and Beth have built a partnership with the
Lancashire Wildlife Trust, which manages
conservation grazing projects to keep natural habitats
balanced. Rather than let the fleeces be buried, burned
or binned when these sheep are sheared, they take
them, hand spin the wool and sell the yarn. In a profitsharing arrangement with the Trust, money goes back
into conservation. This work has now been extended to
farmers in Lincolnshire.
Helen is a knitter and expert in lace knitting, while
Beth is a crocheter and botanical dyer. Historically, the
origins of knitting began with Neanderthal man
making string 50,000 years ago. It then developed in
Egypt and spread to Europe in the 13th century.
In the late 1700s the precursor to crochet began in
France. The Woolers explained how textiles, especially
woollens, have shaped the social and economic history
Willow Weaving
Masterclass
Careby, Aunby & Holywell
Village Hall
Sunday 17th May
Learn the basics of this traditional craft
Choose from two sessions of 2.5 hours each
at 10.00am and 1.30pm
Suitable for everyone who enjoys
crafting, even complete beginners
£30 per person
to include all materials
and refreshments
To book your place, contact
Jane Cadel on 07855 785512
or email jane.cadel@outlook.com
of women and women's work. In 1851, 100 items of
knitting and crochet were on display at The Great
Exhibition in London's Crystal Palace. “Knit for
Victory” was a wartime slogan – encouraging women
to knit socks and balaclavas for soldiers at the front.
Due to shortage of new clothing women were
encouraged to recycle by unravelling and re-knitting
garments.
Helen and Beth brought us up to date talking about
Kaffe Fassett, a famous knitwear designer in the 1970s,
80s and 90s, who produces very bold colourful designs.
Knitting became less popular towards the end of
th
20 century; but has had a recent revival.
The speaker at the next meeting will be Jennifer
Wilson, who will talk about Jane Austen and will come
dressed in an outfit of the author's era.
The next WI meeting will be on
Tuesday 7th at 7.30pm
in St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Witham on the Hill
Visitors and new members always welcome - entry fee is £5.
For information contact Jane Clark on 01778 590232.
