JANUARY 2024
Wishing a very Happy New Year of creativity to all our members and hoping that you all had a relaxing and enjoyable festive season.
We are ready to start on a new programme, with this year's focus being Weaving. The programme is still being finalised but it can be found via this link to the Events page, which will be updated as bookings and events are confirmed. The Events page also gives dates and initial details of external events which are being planned for the forthcoming year. These will be updated on an ongoing basis as plans are formalised, so keep checking back for the latest information.
You will see that the Monthly Bulletins have now been organised so that the title page is a summary of all months available, together with a short summary of the content for each month.
Individual bulletins can be accessed either via clicking on the name of the month on the title page, or by following the drop-down menu beneath the main header.
We are ready to start on a new programme, with this year's focus being Weaving. The programme is still being finalised but it can be found via this link to the Events page, which will be updated as bookings and events are confirmed. The Events page also gives dates and initial details of external events which are being planned for the forthcoming year. These will be updated on an ongoing basis as plans are formalised, so keep checking back for the latest information.
You will see that the Monthly Bulletins have now been organised so that the title page is a summary of all months available, together with a short summary of the content for each month.
Individual bulletins can be accessed either via clicking on the name of the month on the title page, or by following the drop-down menu beneath the main header.
FEBRUARY MEETING - LOOM SPEED DATING
The aim of the day is to showcase the many and varied facets of weaving and to enable those who are unfamiliar with a particular aspect, or entirely new to the craft, to try it out for themselves.
Anyone who is happy to bring their weaving-related equipment with them is encouraged to do so, as this promises to be a very exciting and informative day.
The aim of the day is to showcase the many and varied facets of weaving and to enable those who are unfamiliar with a particular aspect, or entirely new to the craft, to try it out for themselves.
Anyone who is happy to bring their weaving-related equipment with them is encouraged to do so, as this promises to be a very exciting and informative day.
EXETER CATHEDRAL TEXTILE ART OPPORTUNITY
Exeter Cathedral have an exciting opportunity for a textile artist to co-ordinate a project between April and November this year.
They are seeking a creative individual with arts and cultural expertise to co-create a piece of textile art to be displayed in their new Treasures Gallery exhibition space. Working with the local community and the Exeter Cathedral team, the aim is to create a piece of work inspired by the fabric of the Cathedral and key moments in its history.
All information on the post is available here. The final date for applications is 15 February.
Exeter Cathedral have an exciting opportunity for a textile artist to co-ordinate a project between April and November this year.
They are seeking a creative individual with arts and cultural expertise to co-create a piece of textile art to be displayed in their new Treasures Gallery exhibition space. Working with the local community and the Exeter Cathedral team, the aim is to create a piece of work inspired by the fabric of the Cathedral and key moments in its history.
All information on the post is available here. The final date for applications is 15 February.
SHETLAND CHALLENGE 2024
This year's Shetland Challenge is for a traditional Hap, an everyday lace shoulder shawl. Full details are on the Events page.
This year's Shetland Challenge is for a traditional Hap, an everyday lace shoulder shawl. Full details are on the Events page.
PORTLAND FLEECES FOR SALE
We are delighted to welcome new Guild member Rachel Hodder from Penstone, Crediton. Rachel has a flock of Portland sheep and brought some superb fleeces to the last meeting. She has a limited number still available, priced at £5 per fleece, and she hopes to be able to bring some to the next meeting.
Rachel can be contacted via email for further information.
We are delighted to welcome new Guild member Rachel Hodder from Penstone, Crediton. Rachel has a flock of Portland sheep and brought some superb fleeces to the last meeting. She has a limited number still available, priced at £5 per fleece, and she hopes to be able to bring some to the next meeting.
Rachel can be contacted via email for further information.
NEARLY WILD WEAVING
Irene and Anna of Nearly Wild Weaving are running two very exciting trips later this year. The first activity is a retreat of song and weave in the Scottish Highlands in April, the second is overseas to explore the weaving and textile heritage, culture and practices of communities in the Humla valley in the Nepal Himalaya in October.
Scroll to the bottom of the Events page for full details.
Irene and Anna of Nearly Wild Weaving are running two very exciting trips later this year. The first activity is a retreat of song and weave in the Scottish Highlands in April, the second is overseas to explore the weaving and textile heritage, culture and practices of communities in the Humla valley in the Nepal Himalaya in October.
Scroll to the bottom of the Events page for full details.
AGWSD Newsletter December 2023
The latest AGWSD Newsletter is here. This last newsletter of the year has updates on events in 2024 and beyond, as well as some reflections on years past.
Both the GPC and JEC are looking for new committee members; if you are already a member please talk to your fellow Guild members and, if you're interested in becoming involved, please get in touch with the AGWSD for more information.
The latest AGWSD Newsletter is here. This last newsletter of the year has updates on events in 2024 and beyond, as well as some reflections on years past.
Both the GPC and JEC are looking for new committee members; if you are already a member please talk to your fellow Guild members and, if you're interested in becoming involved, please get in touch with the AGWSD for more information.
DGWSD Conference 12 - 14 July, Bicton.
There are a still some places available for the Conference. The theme is "The Riches of Wool" and there are 9 speakers covering a range of interesting topics across spinning, weaving and dyeing, both historical and present day as well as some future possibilities.
Please note that the closing date for applications is 31 January. The Registration Form pdf. can be downloaded here and full information is also available on the AGWSD website
If you have any particular queries regarding the conference, please contact Janet Maher, convenor at [email protected]
There are a still some places available for the Conference. The theme is "The Riches of Wool" and there are 9 speakers covering a range of interesting topics across spinning, weaving and dyeing, both historical and present day as well as some future possibilities.
Please note that the closing date for applications is 31 January. The Registration Form pdf. can be downloaded here and full information is also available on the AGWSD website
If you have any particular queries regarding the conference, please contact Janet Maher, convenor at [email protected]
RHS Rosemoor, Great Hobbies Weekend Saturday 5th and Sunday 5th May
We have decided not to book space at the Great Wool Weekend this year, as the event clashes with our Guild meeting (13 - 14 April) and is only open to those who can attend on a commercial basis for the entire weekend.
However, we have been offered a place, free of charge, at their Great Hobbies Weekend which will be held on 4th and 5th May. This will offer a fun packed weekend of hobbies for all ages and abilities to enjoy, plus the chance for local people to find a new club or organisation to enjoy.
Various traders will be selling products, kits and bookable workshops in the Garden Room, which is where we will be exhibiting and demonstrating. We have also been offered the opportunity to run a workshop, which I have accepted. Further information will follow next month.
We have decided not to book space at the Great Wool Weekend this year, as the event clashes with our Guild meeting (13 - 14 April) and is only open to those who can attend on a commercial basis for the entire weekend.
However, we have been offered a place, free of charge, at their Great Hobbies Weekend which will be held on 4th and 5th May. This will offer a fun packed weekend of hobbies for all ages and abilities to enjoy, plus the chance for local people to find a new club or organisation to enjoy.
Various traders will be selling products, kits and bookable workshops in the Garden Room, which is where we will be exhibiting and demonstrating. We have also been offered the opportunity to run a workshop, which I have accepted. Further information will follow next month.
Wonderwool Royal Welsh Showground Saturday 27th & Sunday 28 April
We are in contact with Dartline and, at this stage, they are interested in running the transport. Further information will follow and all information regarding the weekend will be on the Events page.
We are in contact with Dartline and, at this stage, they are interested in running the transport. Further information will follow and all information regarding the weekend will be on the Events page.
AGWSD AGM London Saturday 8 June
The next AGM of the AGWSD will be held on Saturday 8 June 2024 at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL.
The AGWSD letter giving notice of the event is here The document containing forms for nominations, propositions and points for discussion is here.
The deadline for returning the forms is 10 February
The next AGM of the AGWSD will be held on Saturday 8 June 2024 at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL.
The AGWSD letter giving notice of the event is here The document containing forms for nominations, propositions and points for discussion is here.
The deadline for returning the forms is 10 February
John Arbon Mill Open Weekend South Molton Saturday 8th June & Sunday 9th June
The dates are now set for the ever-popular Mill Open Weekend, with the Virtual Mill Open Weekend following on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July. Full details are on their website
We will be making enquiries regarding their requirement for Guild members to attend as part of their spinning demonstration group.
The dates are now set for the ever-popular Mill Open Weekend, with the Virtual Mill Open Weekend following on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July. Full details are on their website
We will be making enquiries regarding their requirement for Guild members to attend as part of their spinning demonstration group.
Okehampton Wool Gathering Saturday 28th September
Last year's event held at Meldon was a huge success, despite causing gridlock in the village! This year's Gathering is being held at much larger premises at Roadford Lake, Broadwoodwidger, and promises to be another excellent day out. There is a facebook link and details will be updated via the Events page.
Last year's event held at Meldon was a huge success, despite causing gridlock in the village! This year's Gathering is being held at much larger premises at Roadford Lake, Broadwoodwidger, and promises to be another excellent day out. There is a facebook link and details will be updated via the Events page.
And Finally ....
Our Chairman would like to draw the attention of all Members to the Guild's newly updated Health and Safety advice.
It is vital that this is fully understood by all members, - and would be members - before embarking further on such a perilous pursuit as working with wool and textiles.
Our Chairman would like to draw the attention of all Members to the Guild's newly updated Health and Safety advice.
It is vital that this is fully understood by all members, - and would be members - before embarking further on such a perilous pursuit as working with wool and textiles.
