Home Spun Project

A Grand Day Out at Bankfield Museum, Halifax for the launch of Age Concern Calderdale and Kiklees's new project 'Home Spun'. Funded mainly by a successful Lottery Heritage bid obtained by Lynne Houlden this splendid initiative will celebrate, promote and develop the wealth of craft and artistic skills of older people here in Calderdale. The project is currently run by Age Concern worker Kate Bilson.

To describe the piece above as 'patchwork' would be an insult. It's the embroidery class of Galina Biggs.
Brenda Greenwood is far right in blue and she explained to me the fascination of lacemaking and the stories behind the scores of little bobbins that hold the colourful threads. Some ancient ivory bobbins change hands for £30.


Rug making

Above is Geoff Smith (label writer please note!) who spent his working life in various local weaving sheds until that industry collapsed.  In his retirement he excels in woodturning.

Above left is Ralph Miller who explained to me how calligraphy as a craft skill fell out of use until revived in the latter part of 19th century through the Arts and Crafts movement lead by William Morris. Whilst we were talking, Chris Ratcliffe of Pennine Pens joined us. He was once a keen calligrapher himself, as was Danny and prolly still is given some spare time.

Here is Galina Biggs with her table of exquisite pieces created by members of the class she tutors.
Edith had none of her own work on display, but she has been doing embroidery since leaving school and has taught it for most of her adult life. Age concern staff told me she is as patient and inspiring a teacher as ever she was. 

Here are the curators of Bankfield Museum describing that part of their collection relevant to 'Home Spun'. His Worship the Mayor of Calderdale, who opened the show, is on the far right.