April Bamford, first president of the guild, cutting the celebration cake while current president Lynette Teahan, right, Marion Cameron, second from left, and Josie Wilson look on. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson said she and South Wairarapa Mayor Viv Napier had a great time celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wairarapa Spinners and Weavers Guild at a high tea at Lansdowne House on Saturday afternoon.
She said its first president, April Bamford, was the driving force behind the club and these days it is holding its membership at 90, unchanged from in the 1980s and 1990s.
“That’s unusual,” Patterson said.
To commemorate the milestone, two challenges were issued to the members in December 2018.
The first was a guild challenge to make 50 hats for new-born Wairarapa babies, which was easily met with some members producing more than one hat.
The other was an individual challenge to create a piece marking the 50th anniversary. The result was a diverse array of techniques used, including spinning, knitting, crochet and embroidery.
Items included a rug with a gold L woven into it, the L representing 50 in Roman numerals. One member made 10 fluffy hats and five ribbed hats, another member spun 50 large skeins of wool. Others incorporated 50 into their piece, be it the number 50 or 50 colours.
Both challenge creations were on display at the guild’s 50th anniversary celebrations during the weekend.
