Kennet Valley Guild
Weavers, Spinners
and Dyers
Who we are and what we do
The Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers was formed in 1977 when Jan and John Shailes got together with some friends in their sitting room to spin. As time went on, more people came along, and the group decided to join Berkshire Guild. In 1979, the growing band, struggling to get to Sonning for Guild meetings, took the plunge and formed their own Guild in Newbury, which has been in existence continuously since then. Our members cover an enormous range of textile skills, with experience ranging from beginners to experts. We have recently celebrated our 40th Anniversary!
We're now on FaceBook. Join our community and keep up to date with posts and comments.
NEWS • NEWS • NEWS
Kennet Valley Guild Zoom
SATURDAY 3rd July - 10:30am
Don't miss it!
Dana MacPhee - from Uist Spinning Mill
Every story starts somewhere and ours begins in 2013 when our beloved spinning mill sprung to life - the result of a long held dream and a labour of love by our committed team as we looked to bring yarn & wool production back to our islands. Our offering was further developed in 2016 with the completion of our lovely new Wool Centre giving us a beautiful new space to showcase our yarns and special commissions produced by local designers & makers.
Join Dana MacPhee as she takes you on a virtual tour of Uist Wool’s complete production line from freshly-clipped local fleece to highly-finished gorgeous products. Discover our natural undyed yarns and beautiful wool products inspired by the stunning surroundings of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.
Visit www.uistwool.com for more or find us on Facebook and Instagram @uistwool
Invitations will be sent out on Tuesday 29th June.
If you don't receive an invitation and you would like to join us, please get in touch via kvgwebmaster@gmail.com
A NEW CHAIRMAN FOR THE KENNET VALLEY GUILD OF WEAVERS, SPINNERS & DYERS
Afer 4 years of dedicated service as Chairman which included our 40th Anniversary celebrations, Louisa stood down and our new Chairman, Pat Christmas was voted into office at our AGM. Many congratulations Pat!
WHITCHURCH SILK MILL
Whitchurch Silk Mill Shop, Takeaway Cafe and outdoor seating areas are open again from 9:30am-4:30pm daily.
The Mill is still closed but you can find out more about it on their web site
THE KENNET VALLEY GUILD SHUTTLE
Lynne has published the new electronic edition of The Shuttle which is, as always, an entertaining read. 20 pages of articles about recent speakers, lockdown projects, snippets, dates for your diaries and much more.
Thank you Lynne and all contributors who have made the June issue a triumph!
If you would like a printed version the Shuttle, please click the button below and print directly from the file or ask a friend or family member to help you.
JOIN THE KENNET VALLEY GUILD
If you're interested in joining the Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers you can come along to two Zooms before we ask you to sign up. When things are back to normal and we're having meetings at St.Mary's Church Hall again, the same offer applies.
All membership enquiries should be addressed to kvgtreasurer1@gmail.com
EXHIBITION 2021
As you know, we're hoping to hold our exhibition entitled 'I must go down to the seas again' at the West Berkshire Museum, all being well re lockdowns and freedoms.
Even if you haven't started your piece(s) yet, please send in your form(s) so Lynne knows what you're planning to submit.
Find out more on pages 11, 12 and 13 of The Shuttle. The form is on page 13 of the March Shuttle.
As we're a Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, please make sure that your piece includes some of these criteria.
All forms should be sent to kvshuttleeditor@gmail.com or posted to Lynne Harper.
If we can't hold our exhibition in the Museum we will create an online exhibition instead!
Sad News
Kathleen Harris, a much loved and respected member of the Kennet Valley Guild has sadly passed away. In memory of his Mother, Kathleen's son Adrian has set up a Just Giving page for donations to Stroke Association.
'IF' - a poem found in Kathleen's papers
If you can wind a warp and never miss the cross,
If you can thread the heddles one by one, and never suffer loss,
If you can read the threads and never miss a dent,
And smilingly repeat your pattern and never once resent
an interruption or muttered curse from workers by your side,
If you can start to weave
And find the threads you thought were tied
are loose
If you can cheerfully retrace your steps and do it all again
Then call yourself a Weaver, Friend;
Your patience has no end.
COPY - ANON - DAWN - 2001
Zoom Chat Links - a rich resource of info!
For everyone who would like to follow up on our discussions and the shared resources that emerge at our Zoom Meetings - enjoy perusing these links. The subject matter is diverse and reflects the interesting conversations we have.
Updated 18th March 2021.
Guild member, Pat Foster has launched her new web site which we thoroughly recommend you take some time to enjoy.
Pat recently published The Draft Book by Jeremiah Fielding 1775 (edited by Pat, and Guild Members, Janet Dunbar and Lynne Harper). Many of our Guild members wove the samples that feature throughout the book. If you're interested in history and weaving it's a must for your book shelf. Pat invites anyone who chooses to weave any of the drafts to send her photos of the process and finished piece.
The book is proving to be enormously popular here in the UK and in the USA.
You can order a copy on Pat's web site. https://www.patfosterweaverdyer.com/
The Huguenots and Their Heritage.
Speakers: Charlie de Wet and Tim Kidd.
Charlie and Tim gave us an illustrated talk about the Huguenots and their immigration to England, settling in the City, Soho, Greenwich, and Clerkenwell. We learnt what the Huguenots brought with them and the legacy they
left behind.
We discovered that we've got some Huguenot heritage in the midst of our membership! If you would like to find out about the Huguenots have a good look around the Huguenots of Spitalfields web site.
Lockdown Projects :-)
What does a Kennet Valley Guild member do when we're all locked down? Get busy!
Take a look through these projects and be inspired to weave, knit, crochet, spin, make tapestries and so much more...
Sue Hiley Harris
Our Speaker for February, Weaver, Spinner and Sculptor Sue Hiley-Harris, shared her creative journey from art school in Australia to contemporary working weaver and sculptor, based in the Brecon Beacons.
Silk Spinning Workshop
Sue Hiley-Harris recently hosted a silk spinning workshop in Newbury. Sue's silk spinning expertise enthralled the group and everyone enjoyed learning new techniques to experiment with at home.
Exhibition 2019
Coming Soon! An overview of the Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers, Summer Exhibtion at the West Berkshire Museum in Newbury. Our theme; If You Go Down To The Woods
Straw Plaiting
Samples shown at a talk on Straw Plaiting
