Crafty fun at a textile tea party

Table top displays and wall hangings were seen from the Stainland Crafty Dabblers, the Halifax branch of the Embroiderers Guild, Beechwood Quilters, LA Crafty Group, YMCA Thursday Stitchers, Pleasant Pastimes, Calderdale Adult Learning, Park Ward Staying Well project, Calderdale Quilters, Raggedy Annie, Joe’s Toes and the Fabberdashery. The Halifax New Library Textile Group also showed some of their work in progress for an Arts Council funded project for the new Halifax library.

Annie Lancaster said: “We are producing a piece of textile work to record and illustrate the people, buildings, industry, geography, history and leisure activities of Halifax. It will be a celebration of Halifax.

“We are also focusing on a number of people who have been an important part of the history of Halifax including Sir Francis Crossley, Violet Mackintosh and Percy Shaw.

“The piece of work incorporates many different techniques including hand and machine embroidery, printing, painting, felting, rag rugging, photography, appliqué, knitting, crochet, patchwork, goldwork, beadwork and creating miniature figures.”

The event was hosted by the Mayor of Calderdale Councillor Lisa Lambert and opened on her behalf by the Deputy Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Ferman Ali and Deputy Mayoress Mrs Shaheen Ali.

Both were delighted by the number of people that had attended the event and the wealth of incredible talent and skill that was on display.

The Deputy Mayor was presented with a replica mayoral robe by Jean Butler of Pleasant Pastimes, so that school children visiting the Town Hall will now be able to try on a replica of the mayor’s robes as part of the experience.

Helen Meller, Director of Hebden Bridge Arts Festival, was also in attendance and said the event provided “a wonderful opportunity for the groups to meet and exchange ideas, across cultures and communities, creating a real sense of social cohesion that is so much more than just crafting. It was evident how excited everyone was to be able to come together, share skills and experiences and look at new ways of working together in the future.”

The Staying Well project worker Helen Enevoldson, who worked closely with the Mayor of Calderdale to organise the event, explained that the project will be looking to host a series of similar events, to build on the “vibrant sense of history and community that the work incorporated, showcasing the incredible textile history and talent of the region.”

The Staying Well project would like to thank the staff of the mayor’s office and the Halifax Town Hall, for their hard work and support in making the event such a success and for the delicious cream teas.

For more information about the Staying Well project and the activities and events that it supports, please contact Helen Enevoldson on 01422 392762 or email [email protected]