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Our Guild held it's official Inaugural meeting in March 1951, [ although members were meeting back in 1949 but paperwork can't be found ] and it has been established that Cornwall was one of the 6 Guilds that helped formed the National Association as it stands to-day.
We are proud, that within the walls of Truro Cathedral hangs a Tapestry Curtain depicting Cornish life and on the Bardic Chair sits a cushion, both of which were designed by members of the Guild using the traditional crafts of hand spinning, weaving and dyeing. The cushion was presented to the Grand Bard at the Gorseth in 1990, interestingly the Grand Bard at the time was Dr John Chesterfield who went onto become Chairman of the Guild from 2006 - 2011 Our first President - Violetta Thurstan - was an exceptional lady. During her lifetime she gained nine medals, of which the Russian St. George and The Military Medal are just two for her work in nursing during WW1. After the war she studied weaving, spinning and dyeing in Sweden and subsequently became Director of Crafts for the Egyptian Government. This involved organising 700, Bedouin workers to spin and weave rugs and carpets in the desert near El Alamein. The last quarter of her life was spent in Cornwall, despite failing health, she continued to lecture on textiles, and write books fiction and non-fiction. She was still taking parties of 30 people to visit European venues right up to her death on 13th April 1978. Even though Violetta had a fruitful and at times a dangerous life she was a very quiet person at Guild meetings |
We are a group of enthusiastic crafts men & women helping to keep alive the traditional art of hand spinning, weaving & dyeing.
Alongside these crafts we have members that are avid supporters of braiding, felting & tapestry weaving We are an energetic Guild that has gained a strong public profile through our demonstrations at local shows and running workshops at schools and other organisations We hold two general meetings a month usually held on the: Third Friday at Probus Village Hall Fourth Saturday at Chacewater W.I.Hall Four Weavers Days at Chacewater W.I. Hall A One Year Foundation Course in Hand Spinning A Two Year Foundation Course in Hand Weaving Please check the dates on the Programme page Our monthly meetings regularly consist of hands on workshops with tutors or speakers, experts in their field. During the meetings there is a vibrant Sales Table to visit, a vast library, there is equipment for members to hire, a wealth of talent to tap into and last but not least cakes to compliment your cup of tea or coffee. Have a look around our pages and for more information please use our Contact Page or email audreydurrant@btinternet.com |
