Chairman’s Report to
AGM Layers of Stitch Embroiderers’Guild Grantham, September 5th 2017
Not
an eventful year like last year, with no involvement in exhibitions, except the
tail end of the Landscapes and Gardens for a few weeks in the Autumn at
Grantham Museum.
We
enjoyed a demonstration which lasted all day at last year’s AGM from Viv Arthur
of Art Van Go, after which many of us bought from the van; it was a very hot
day, and we queued in the sun to make our purchases.
Maybe
not eventful, but busy none the less, with talks, workshops and mini-workshops
throughout the year. October saw an introduction to keeping sketchbooks with
Jane Ostler, assisted by Vicki Honeywood, and we now need a follow-up to that.
The November meeting involved Christmas stitching, and in December the Bauble
Swap and social stitching.
In
January, we had a talk from Project Linus, and the speakers went away with
armfuls of quilts made by members, and more have followed them since,
coordinated by Joy Kitchen and Aline Woolley.
The
next two months saw us making things to sell at the County Show, organised by
the Lincoln branches of the Embroiderers’ Guild, and we are very grateful to
Michele Maloney for coordinating the show for us.
In
April we had Helen Phillips to talk to us about her visits to Kashmir, but as
you know I had been out of action for a while, so I missed that one! However,
we look forward to welcoming Helen again soon.
In
June, Lyn Haith brought her wonderful box, entitled the Antithesis of
Serendipity, and all of its component parts, which drew a lot of ‘oohs’ and
‘ahs’ from all of us, and which also drew to the meeting some of our founder
members not seen for quite some time – all very welcome.
In
May and June we had two stimulating workshops in handstitch – Kay and Michael
Dennis with their Stumpwork, and then Sue Stone with Texture and Pattern in
handstitch.
Before
this, Margaret Beattie and Annette Cooke did a Free Machine Embroidery workshop
in March, which also provided a lot of inspiration.
All
of these people are very generous with their time and ideas, and we are lucky
to benefit from the sharing of their skills. Indeed, many of our members share
their skills and ideas in our monthly meetings, and we are fortunate to have
them, too.
We
again took part in the Guild’s National Day of Stitch early in August; we were
once again at Belton House, outside and inside the Orangery, and attracted a
lot of interest for the third year running, as well as being lucky with the
weather.
I
must mention Marian Jackson’s award from the Embroiderer’s Guild, the Julia
Caprara award for Colour, for her piece entitled ‘Hidden Sugar’ made largely
from sweetie papers, entered into the competition Imprisoned Splendour.
Also,
Sue Cork won the members’ award at Regional Day with her Crewel Work.
Just
two of our talented members, and congratulations to them both.
Both
of these ladies are on your committee, as is Carole Wright, who has just taken
on the role of Librarian for us, so do please support her.
The
committee meet every other month, usually after the normal meeting, and they
work hard on your behalf, and show great enthusiasm and support for all we
attempt.
Jenny,
who is your Treasurer, continues to handle our monies very efficiently;
Margaret , our Programme Secretary, has organised some very interesting
speakers and workshops, both this year and for the forthcoming year; and Sue
Cork, who is our secretary and general factotum for everything imaginable,
including a wonderful monthly newsletter, deserves a medal for the way in which
she organises us all.
Marian,
along with Wendy from the committee, has this year started a Young Embroiderers
group; they have now had two meetings, both very successful, and plan another
before Christmas.
Annette
and Diane organise the refreshments and our facebook pages.
Victoria
is our newest recruit, and has yet to find a role, but we are working on it!
My
grateful thanks go to all of them for their support, especially earlier this
year, when we would not have functioned so well without them. As a branch, we
are so fortunate to be enthused by such a lovely bunch of people.
Others,
not on the committee, also deserve a mention; Lorraine Appleton, who managed
the raffle prizes for a while, and Sheila Willatts, who has now taken on this
role; and others who help in various ways, not least with putting out tables
and chairs for our meetings, and putting them away again. My thanks to you all.
I
am now, after three years in the role, resigning as your chair, but I shall
stay on the committee to coordinate what we hope will be another liaison with
Belton House for their next year’s events called ‘Women at Belton.’
More
of that later.
I
have enjoyed my time as chair, and hope to continue to enjoy the warmth and enthusiasm
that each meeting brings.
Kate
Pike.
