Our exhibition opened at the end of October with a private view which was very well attended. It will run until the beginning of the new year at the Castle Park Arts Centre in Frodsham, Cheshire.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
Weaving Warrington's Past
At our meeting on September 22, Kit Heald of the Warrington Historical and Archaeological Society spoke on the links between our crafts and Warrington’s long history and really widened our knowledge of the area.
A settlement at the lowest crossing point on the River Mersey, Warrington existed as a community in the tribal era before the Romans took control from the area around what we now know as Stockton Heath. We learned that Wilderspool Causeway was exactly that – a road through the surrounding wetlands.
In this wet and marshy land flax and hemp were grown and production of linen and canvas became one of the main industries of the town. In 1686 there were 16 hempyards around the town supplying the fibre for the manufacture, locally, of sailcloth to equip the huge fleets of galleons which defended these islands. It is ironic to learn that in those days peace meant real hardship for people who produced sails.
In the eighteenth century the manufacture of fustian grew and continued along with canvas. Fustian is woven from a mixture of fibres and is a hardwearing fabric with a pile which had to be cut by hand by skilled workers. Cockhedge Mill was a spinning mill which closed in 1960.
Warrington was never a one-industry town. It was involved in wire making (of course!), tanning, soap manufacture, shipping, brewing, file making, glass manufacture, sugar refining and pin making, to name the main ones. It is good to know that our crafts of spinning, weaving and dyeing were among the earliest of Warrington’s trades and that we are continuing the history of the area.
A settlement at the lowest crossing point on the River Mersey, Warrington existed as a community in the tribal era before the Romans took control from the area around what we now know as Stockton Heath. We learned that Wilderspool Causeway was exactly that – a road through the surrounding wetlands.
In this wet and marshy land flax and hemp were grown and production of linen and canvas became one of the main industries of the town. In 1686 there were 16 hempyards around the town supplying the fibre for the manufacture, locally, of sailcloth to equip the huge fleets of galleons which defended these islands. It is ironic to learn that in those days peace meant real hardship for people who produced sails.
In the eighteenth century the manufacture of fustian grew and continued along with canvas. Fustian is woven from a mixture of fibres and is a hardwearing fabric with a pile which had to be cut by hand by skilled workers. Cockhedge Mill was a spinning mill which closed in 1960.
Warrington was never a one-industry town. It was involved in wire making (of course!), tanning, soap manufacture, shipping, brewing, file making, glass manufacture, sugar refining and pin making, to name the main ones. It is good to know that our crafts of spinning, weaving and dyeing were among the earliest of Warrington’s trades and that we are continuing the history of the area.
Monday, 17 September 2007
Guild Meeting (22nd September)
Our next meeting will have Kit Heald talk about Weaving Warrington's Past in the morning.
Just a quick reminder that all pieces of work for the exihibition should be brought to the Sept meeting or if there is a problem they must be with Janet, Janice, Meryl or Avril by Sept 30th at the latest.
All pieces should be in an individual bag with a label on detailing the following;
Just a quick reminder that all pieces of work for the exihibition should be brought to the Sept meeting or if there is a problem they must be with Janet, Janice, Meryl or Avril by Sept 30th at the latest.
All pieces should be in an individual bag with a label on detailing the following;
- your name + telephone number
- title/what the piece is e.g. handspun and crocheted etc
- price/NFS
Thank you
Weave Week
Our August Weave Week course was extremely successful. Guild member Judy ran the course with Janice on hand to help with the teaching.
We had eight in the beginners section who learned to warp a four shaft loom plus some basic twills etc and four advanced weavers who tackled rug weaving.
The main aim of the course was to assist members who had their own four shaft loom but had never learned to weave, and also to try to encourage more weavers in the guild.
Judy and Janice are to be congratulated on an extremely enjoyable week that certainly produced a few new weavers and increased the knowledge base of the advance weavers.
The week ended with our summer picnic although the weather was too cold and wet to actually picnic outside!
July Members Day
July was one of our busiest meetings yet with 28 members squeezed into the small hall at Croft. It was cosy to say the least but everyone enjoyed the chance to chat, spin/knit/weave and generally catch up. The committee are investigating costs etc for use of the larger hall if meeting numbers continue to grow.
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