Poole Bobbin Lace Circle

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Thank you once again for your support over the year; it has been a productive year for PBLC with the launch of the new website, a full programme of meetings and demonstrations in new venues. I will expand upon this in my annual report later this evening.

As last year I have compiled a photographic review of the year and it will be running after the presentation of prizes and before the AGM. This will give you an opportunity to see what happened at the meetings and events during the year, if you were not able to attend.

Congratulations to all those who entered this year’s annual competition ‘The Natural World’ -– a full list of awards is given later in this Newsletter.

Your membership renewal to PBLC is due soon and the application form is attached to this Newsletter. One of the questions you are asked on the application form is whether you would like your Newsletter via email or a paper copy. For you to make an informed decision as last year I am emailing out an electronic version of this Newsletter to all those who have an email address. This will give you an opportunity to decide for 2016/17 which you would prefer – paper or electronic copy. Those who normally pick up a paper copy at the meeting will, of course, still be able to do so today.

Enjoy the summer break. Margaret Eaglestone WHAT IS HAPPENING AT TODAY’S MEETING

Presentation of bobbins to last year’s winners

Presentation of trophies and certificates to this year’s winners

Photographic Review of the Year during the refreshment break

AGM

Charity for 2017-18

Margaret Eaglestone will be collecting your money for the trip to the V and A on 5 October A FINAL PLEA – YOUR COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU We are still looking for one more person to join the committee to bring us up the number we have had over the last year. This is still one fewer than a full complement. Please think about it and see if you are able to come and join us. With a full committee it is not an arduous commitment. I do hope that someone will respond to this request. Thank you Margaret Eaglestone NEXT YEAR’S PROGRAMME Just to let you know in advance that the September and November Meetings are on Friday 9 September and Saturday 12 November. Please note that these are not the first Friday or Saturday of the respective months. Your programme card will be available at the September meeting. Your Committee

NEWSLETTER 205

8 JULY 2016

DORSET ARTS AND CRAFTS ASSOCIATION EXHIBITION 2016

(i) PBLC’s Display and Demonstration The theme for our display will be ‘The Natural World’, so if you have entered a piece for the Annual Competition would you be willing to let us display your piece, if you are not entering it for the DACA exhibition, of course?

We have all the slots filled for demonstrating, so thank you to our volunteers. A list of volunteers and times will be available at today’s meeting. (ii) DACA Exhibition Please do consider entering a piece for the DACA Exhibition.

Details and Entry Forms (two forms required) are available for downloading on the website, http://www.dorsetartsandcrafts.org/exhibition/exhibitor-information. When completed these two copies should be sent to Carole Caves, the entry secretary, together with your entry fee, £2 per entry, by 25 July. Carole will return Form 2 and labels for each exhibit. The handing-in day is Monday 1st August between 10 am and 5 pm.

Dorothy Watson has very kindly volunteered to take in any competition pieces but it would be your responsibility to get the lace and paperwork to Dorothy before 1 August. Dorothy would then bring your lace back at the end of the exhibition and you could arrange to pick it up from her. Dorothy lives in Wimborne and her telephone number is 01202 883859. Thank you, Dorothy. Margaret Eaglestone PBLC CHARITY FOR 2016 - 2017 Our chosen charity for the upcoming year is AboutFace. It was started back in the 1990s by a group of former patients of Mr Llankovan, a surgeon at Poole Hospital. This group of people had undergone surgery for various cancers of the head, face and neck. They decided that a self-help group was needed to help not only themselves and their families and carers, but also for future people confronting the same problems that they had encountered. Charity status was granted and in 2008 the Centre at 111, Longfleet Road opened directly opposite the hospital. Totally independent of Poole Hospital, it relies on voluntary financing.

Help is available by phone 24 hours Monday to Thursday. Tuesday and Thursday are 'drop-in' days when anyone can call in for a chat or more formally on a one to one basis. There is also a training facility at 111 for senior surgeons to train junior cancer surgeons and other health professionals.

I thank you in advance for your support this coming year. Jenny Harris POOLE LIBRARY DEMONSTRATION

Saturday 21 May was a very wet and windy day. Perfect conditions for an afternoon display of local arts and crafts hosted by Poole Library. This venue is proving to be excellent for demonstrations. Lots of people pass through, there is plenty of space and its staff are interested and encouraging. Although the display was on a small scale we were fortunate to have several passers-by show an interest and ask questions while four youngsters took the opportunity to have a

go on the snake pillows that we had taken along.

Two local schoolgirls Amber and Mia were the first to take advantage of Jenny's tuition. A little later Alex and Freddie, who had attended the Christmas bauble workshop, spotted us and gratefully received help from Maureen.

Our sincere thanks to Poole Library for inviting us to attend this event. As an organisation we are always looking for places to demonstrate and promote lacemaking with a view to encouraging people to take up this lovely craft. Linda Burn

DOLPHIN RIVER TRIP After an horrendous evening before the day of my cruise, (I didn't make it to the May PBLC meeting owing to a blown tyre near the Fleetsbridge flyover) I was beginning to doubt if my adventure would take place.

On the morning of Saturday 7 May I managed to get into my husband Paul's car and off we went. Parking behind the Thistle Hotel we trundled to the quay. At first we were unable to locate the Dolphin III as it was hidden behind the magnificent ZoZo, a massive 'gin palace' moored to entice passers-by to consider buying a life on the ocean waves. I haven't enough noughts on the keyboard for what that monster must cost!

At 10.45 on the dot three crew members from the Dolphin arrived to escort us to the boat. The access was via a very stable and well built walkway followed by a short ramp. The cabin had a lovely sunny, bright yellow/orange interior that lifted the overcast, hazy morning. Captain John Buckby introduced the two gentlemen and one lady who were his crew-cum-attendants for the day. They are all volunteers, all cheery and very helpful.

At exactly 11.00 we cast off. Four wheelchairs and five carers. The maximum capacity of the vessel is 12 people and there is a toilet on board I discovered as I was parked in front of it!

Once underway, owing to the cold breeze, we were unable to have the plastic side windows rolled up which would have given us an uninterrupted view of the area, however we did manage to see the large white accommodation blocks of the SBS which are now expensive apartment buildings complete with boat berths. We were lucky enough to spot a variety of wildlife: black headed terns, swans, egrets and shell ducks.

When we entered the River Frome to make our way to Wareham, it was surprising just how much the river twists and turns. Spying the church of Lady St Mary as we progressed one minute on our right and then on our left. We passed some lovely little boats moored along the Ridge/Redcliff bank, especially interesting was a miniature steamboat.

On the journey to Wareham we had been overtaken by a Poole River Trip boat which, Captain John informed us, would be mooring first and we would be tied up alongside it. This was a bit of a downer to say the least, as our view of Wareham Quay and all the colourful market stalls was obscured. When we were tied up Paul, my husband, wanted to go ashore and had to grab ropes and walk along a ledge on the other boat to get to the rear then over a guard rail and through the cabin to the gangway to the quay...I was waiting for the splash! Two other carers 'escaped' this way. What some people will do to avoid using an on-board toilet!

The highlight of the day arrived as Claire, the crew member, had phoned ahead to Longs Fish and Chip shop. She ran off to collect our order. A small table was laid out with sauces and hot drinks and we spent the next 45 minutes enjoying our meal. When it was time to leave Captain John turned the craft around on a sixpence and we set off on our return journey.

Whilst making our way back to Poole we had a bit of an emergency stop when a small water craft was crossing our bow. This caused a roller coaster effect on the water. However the Dolphin, so well balanced and stable, was an absolute joy to be aboard. On the way back souvenirs were bought out. I bought a Dolphin III mug and pen, while treating Paul to a keyring.

The day had remained hazy and not very sunny until we disembarked, when the sun finally broke through. If you haven't done it I can really recommend a trip on the river to enjoy a pint and some food on the quay. Dolphin III made this possible for me and I'd certainly do it again.

Stephanie Henville

On board Dolphin III

Lady St Mary, Wareham

LACE DAY 2016

PBLC's annual Lace Day took place at St George's Church on Saturday 4 June on a reasonably fine day however I suspect by this summer's standard the day would be considered balmy - at least it stayed dry. The day took on its usual bustling aura and by 8.45 the suppliers were arriving ready to set up their wares. Five suppliers attended: Claire's Lace, Margaret Wall Bobbins, Paint Box Threads, Wellhead Books, Wendy's Beads as well as The Lace Guild. Sadly Fireside Reflections was unable to attend due to ill health.

This year the format of the day was a little different. Doors opened at 10.30 and rather than having a free morning, lunch followed by a speaker in the afternoon this year our speakers gave their talk between noon and one o'clock to allow the audience the chance to have lunch, peruse their display then come back and ask questions.

And what a spectacular talk and display Ace Lacers gave. Ace Lacers are a group of six exceptional lacemakers, five of whom are members of PBLC - Jackie Barton, Eileen Deacon, Velda Duncan, Lily Wills and Maureen Woodruff. The sixth member is Betty Taylor who holds office in OIDFA. The title of the talk was 'How we got there'. These six ladies met whilst attending a BLTC course being held locally based on a Dutch course for teachers and designers. The course tutors were Ann Bray, Dorothy Brown with Sue Cox as a visiting tutor.

What kismet took place to enable these six highly skilled and motivated individuals to meet at this particular time I cannot imagine but suffice it to say that after all the demands of the course these six ladies decided to continue meeting to stimulate and enhance their

design skills and knowledge of lace. They went on to enter competitions and demonstrations creating wonderful designs to fit the competition criteria.

Along side their finished items were examples of the notebooks that had been the starting point of most of their competition pieces. The display of work was truly inspirational and their lacemaking skills in such a range of lace mediums was stunning. I loved the six panelled hanging which was one of their first group efforts based on a single S shaped wave. Most stunning of all was their 'Dreaming Dreams' entry for the John Bull competition. I loved the lace trimmed bodices too.

The change in format was a great idea in this instance and many people took the opportunity of chatting to and questioning the Ace Lacers and examining the generous display during and after lunch.

Towards the end of the day Anne Vernon, who had nominated Friends of Dolphin as our charity, presented a cheque for £560 to Brenda Stone their press coordinator. Margaret presented Lace Day bobbins to the winners of the competition which was entitled 'A piece of work with your own spin put on it'. Voted on by attendees to the

Lace Day the two categories – 'The best technical piece ' and 'The piece I'd most like to take home' were won by the same person Sheila Herridge for her 'Dragonfly on Grass' so she won a pair of bobbins. The final event of the day was the raffle. There were lots of prizes some donated by our suppliers the rest provided by Maureen and PBLC.

The Lace Day was a success and even though there weren't quite as many attendees as last year the feedback from the suppliers was very good. Across a small sample of people that I spoke to some expressed disappointment that there weren't more suppliers attending. The problem is that if the suppliers come to the Lace Day it must be financially beneficial for them. Many people can and do get lace supplies on line which means that the need to buy face to face isn't always as necessary. The lunches provided by Laura were excellent, very good value and really tasty and I hope that she will do them again next year.

Linda Burn

Sheila’s winning piece of lace

Six panelled hanging

Dreaming Dreams

Lace design on a bodice

Part of the display

BERYL MAW'S BINCHE LACE PUBLICATION During Lace Day it was lovely to see Beryl. A long time member of PBLC Beryl has now moved to an apartment in Beaminster and, after a period of ill health, is now back driving. Beryl is an outstanding lacemaker and some years ago she designed some patterns using Binche Lace called 'A Snowy Spring Day in my Garden' inspired by what she and her husband George could see in their garden. The pattern book is a delight and in its years of publication has raised £11,300 for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

There are still copies available. Beryl's phone number remains the same, alternatively copies can be obtained from Claire at Claire's Lace. Linda Burn

JEAN CHAMBERLAIN

It is with great sadness that I write to inform our members of the passing of a faithful and loyal member. Jean had been a member almost from our beginning and was one of our early treasures. You would see Jean at meetings and gatherings for lacemakers, always there ready to support whatever was taking place.

A lovely lacemaker, I enclose a photo of the FULL SIZE tablecloth she made for her eldest daughter's Lace Anniversary. Jean used to make something in lace for each of her five daughter's Lace Wedding Anniversaries. No mean task you'll agree.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, a lifelong Girl Guide and Church member - we will miss this quiet, gentle lady. Dorothy Brown EAST HOLTON CARRIAGE DRIVING FOR THE DISABLED As members will know the EHDC was our PBLC charity during the year 2014 – 2015. Since making our donation at Lace Day last year we heard that the centre had suffered a break in and much of the equipment had been stolen. Shortly after this we received news that sadly Jonnie Colvile, the driving force behind the centre, had died suddenly. A donation was sent from PBLC for a memorial to Jonnie's work at the centre.

Margaret received a card of thanks from Jonnie's sister Maureen. She said how much they would miss Jonnie and that she had purchased a brass plaque in memory of Jonnie to go on one of the carriages. Linda Burn PBLC VISIT TO UPTON HOUSE We have been offered the date of Thursday 15 September at 2.30 pm. The visit will be to see the ground floor rooms (the upper rooms are offices) to hear about their design and original use. Weather permitting a brief tour of the gardens will be followed by a cream tea. The cost of the tea will be approximately £4. In order to get some idea of those interested Margaret will ask for a show of hands at tonight's meeting Jenny Harris

RECIPE FOR A PERFECT DAY Take: 1 lace pillow 1 peaceful location A handful of congenial company 1 music maker

Optional: Sunny weather

Method: Mix all ingredients gently and thoroughly. Let it remain in the memory for as long as you wish.

All these ingredients were present on Sunday 26 June when I went to Farnham, a small and picturesque village in North Dorset. On this weekend some of the residents had opened their gardens and allotments to raise money for the village hall. There were stalls selling honey, cakes and cream teas along with a tombola and a raffle. The local pub did a roaring trade providing lunches and allowing all comers access to their toilets.

The little church, which first stood on the site in the 1300s, was the focus for carefully arranged floral displays and the lace demonstration. Here was a sanctuary of peace, broken only by quiet, thoughtful visitors who admired the lace on display, asked pertinent questions (no, the tatting lady was nowhere to be seen!) and showed great interest in the craft. The flowers inside the church were complemented by the churchyard – part was neat with fresh flowers on several graves, while the older area has been left untrimmed in order to allow native flowers, grasses, insects and butterflies to flourish. The entire day was accompanied by the happiest blackbird. He sang loud and clear, breaking only occasionally to build up enthusiasm for the next joyous burst.

As I listened to the bubbling melody, I looked up at the wall and saw two wooden boards bearing the Ten Commandments. The fourth seemed so appropriate: '' Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work and the seventh shalt thou keep holy''. We may not all abide by the calendar days, but this truth cannot be denied. Everyone needs time to rest, relax and reflect. All the necessary elements came together on this last weekend in June. I feel completely refreshed.

Who wants to come with me next time? Liz Pass PBLC COMPETITION 2016 The subject for this year's competition was The Natural World. Here is a list of the winners. All the pieces of lace are on display this evening and the awards will be presented this evening as well. Trophy Title of Piece Winner

Rose Bowl 'Country Garden' Maureen Walsby Portman 'Barn Owl' Margaret Cormack Design 'Barn Owl' Margaret Cormack Bro Dowel 'Barn Owl' Margaret Cormack The Margarets' Bobbins 'Butterflies' Beryl Millard Lin Allen 'Butterflies' Beryl Millard Jill Zigadas 'A Kaleidoscope of Margaret Eaglestone Butterflies'

Needlelace – joint award 'Fish' Eve Morton 'Neck Piece with Beads' Liz Pass

Granny's Bobbins 'Angel' Isabele Thomson Yvonne Lenton 'Angel' Amelia Thomson Bobbin Lace Certificates Silver 'Oak Leaf Wall Hanging' Sandra Stonham 'Leaves' Laura Navrady-Pitcher 'Snowdrops' Di Pemberton

Blue 'Butterfly and Flowers' Jenny Green 'A Basket of Sunshine' Carol Bale

Needlelace Certificates Silver 'Clematis Cosmetic Bag' Liz Pass 'Bubbles' Donna Lane 'Father and Child' Stephanie Henville

Blue 'Flower Brooch' Sandra Stonham 'Shell' Shirley Pearce 'Fish' Shirley Pearce EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS More details for some of these events are on the noticeboard. Saturday 9 July Lace and Craft Day, Bromham Social Centre SN15 2JB. All crafts. 10.00 to 16.30. Entry £5. Bring your own lunch Saturday 16 and Wimborne History Festival. Tickets in advance £12 (conc £10), Sunday 17 July on the gate £14 (conc £12) , Children up to 17 free. Some members of PBLC are demonstrating over this weekend. Thursday 4 August Crafts in the Garden, Red House Museum, Quay Road, Christchurch. 10.30 to 15.30. Free admission. Members of Christchurch Lace will be demonstrating. Friday 5 to DACA Arts and Crafts Association Exhibition, Purbeck School, Tuesday 9 August Worgret Road, Wareham BH20 4PF. Free parking. Ticket prices: Adults £5, Seniors £4, Children £2 under six years old free.

Thursday - Sunday National Exhibition of the Association of the Guilds of Weavers, 8 - 18 September Spinners and Dyers - ‘Threads in Time’. at Killerton House, Broadclyst, EX5 3LE, 11 00 to 17.00. Website www.wsd.org.uk

Sunday 18 September Canford Needlework Festival, Hamworthy Recreation Club, Magna Road , BH21 3AP. 10.00 to 16.30. Admission £3. Plenty of parking. www.canfordneedlework.co.uk Sunday 16 October Lace and Threads Fair organised by Tonbridge Lacemakers. 10.00 to 15.00. Entry £2.50. For further information see www.tonbridgelacemakers.org.uk Saturday 19 November The Southern Counties Lacemakers and Needlecraft Fair, Havant 10.00 to 15.30. More details in the September Newsletter. EDITORIAL It has been pleasure to put the July issue of the Newsletter together. There is a lot of interesting information and reading so I thank all of you who have sent contributions. Please keep articles, about anything you think might be of interest to PBLC members, coming in. Items for the September issue should be with me by Friday 26 August. Details of our next meeting are as follows: Date Friday 9 September starting at 7 pm Speaker Judith Cordell. Her talk is entitled 'Where I found Rosaline Lace'. Supplier Judith Cordell Bead Books and Patterns Display DACA exhibition pieces A meeting not to be missed. Happy summer - in the hope that the weather will improve (just a bit!). Linda Burn