Kennet Valley Guild
Weavers, Spinners
and Dyers
Who we are and what we do
The Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners and 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 (currently 90 and counting) cover an enormous range of textile skills including weaving, spinning and dyeing, with experience ranging from beginners to experts.
We're now on FaceBook. Join our community and keep up to date with posts and comments.
NEXT MEETING
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SATURDAY 1st AUGUST 2026
St.Mary's Church Hall, Greenham
10am-5pm
The meeting starts at 10am and if you're coming to see us for the first time, it's at
St Mary's Church Hall, Greenham, Newbury RG19 8RZ.
DYEING IN THE CHURCHYARD
It's back! This is the one you've all been waiting for.
The plan for the day is as follows:
During the first part of the morning Anne and Jenn will be demonstrating the preparation of four natural dye pots. We will be inviting participants to bring their own mordanted skeins to put in the pots and these will then go into hay boxes to take up the dye.
At the same time Syd will be demonstrating eco dyeing.
Later in the morning Anne and Jenn will be holding a mini workshop showing Shibori type folding and tying techniques.
You will take your folded pieces away to dye at home because of rules for the use of the hall.
In the afternoon we will have another mini workshop on lemon, bleach and paste block printing.
Numbers will be limited to 16 for the natural dyeing and 12 for the folding and printing workshops.
Please email Jennifer to o book a space. My email address is in the recent email from the Membership Team.
You can apply for one or more of the sessions but we will make sure that as far as possible everyone will get at least one session.
Requirement lists will be sent out next week but as far as possible we intend to supply most materials and equipment.
Please note:
Happy days, Thames Water have FINISHED their work!!!.
Also, just to remind you, if you're on Facebook and want to message The Guild, please go to our page,
Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers. Many thanks.
Don't miss the Five Friends & Fibre exhibition at Richard Jeffries Museum, Swindon in July 2026.
Guild members Lynne, Jennifer, Anne, Linda and Jenny G, aka Five Friends & Fibre are exhibiting the entire range of Guild core skills at Richard Jeffries Museum from Sunday 5th July to Sunday 19th July.
Each of the five friends will have their own display area and will exhibit work that reflects their partcular skill set.
See their work and enjoy a day out at the Lazy Sunday event on the 5th and 19th when you can enjoy free music and a cream tea (not free!).
If you like old farm machinery, music and a cream tea then visit on 11th and 12th July when the Museum holds a Steam & Cream Tea event.
Sounds like a lot of fun!
THE KENNET VALLEY GUILD SHUTTLE
The June 2026 Shuttle is ready and waiting for your perusal.
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.
Don't forget the Shuttle archives. They currently go back to March 2020.
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 meetings FOC
before we ask you to sign up. We offer single and family memberships with concessions for senior citizens.
All membership enquiries should be addressed to kvgmembership@gmail.com
WHITCHURCH SILK MILL
Visit Whitchurch Silk Mill, Shop and Café.
The Mill (Tue-Sun & Bank Holidays) 10:30am - 5pm
Riverside Café (Tue-Sun)10:30am - 4:30pm
Find out more about the mill on their web site https://whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/
