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Lace makers at AGM

Olney Lace Circle

Activities

Lace

	Forthcoming Activities
	Many of our members enjoy attending the lace days of other groups in the area.Our next Lace Day is on 18th September 2010 for ticket information go to Tickets Unfortunately this will be our last one, so apply soon if you don't want to miss it.

	On 10th August 2010 we are hosting a Pillow and Chat in Sherington Village Hall from 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Tea, coffee and cake will be served and tickets costing £2.50 are available from Anne Major (Address below) This will be a ticket only event.

	Past Activities
	At the beginning of February 2005, two of our members went to a school in Wellingborough armed with four practice pillows so that a class of 10 yr olds could see how lace is made. They were studying the Tudors in history and had been discussing the use of lace in those times. The children were interested and attentive and all managed to have a turn. A week later we received letters thanking us, written by the children.

	Olney Middle School children making lace

	More recently some of our members attended our local school where the pupils were studying local history. As Lace Making was a big part of town life in the 1800's it was considered an important subject. The children all learnt the basic stitch and were able to practice on the pilows we took with us.
	In summer 2005 some of our members made lace at the Cowper and Newton Museum Olney on 1st and 3rd Sunday afternoons during June, July and August
	Niki and Iris working in the sunshine

	Olney has links with Newton in Sierra Leone, named after John Newton, a local clergyman who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace . In March 2007 our group took part in a skills day, held in The Olney Centre. in support of the Olney - Newton project which raises money for needs in the African town .


	In August 2007 the Lace Circle took part in a week of demonstrations in a courtyard off the Olney market place which attracted much attention from passers by. Unfortunately the British weather was a challenge on some of the days!!



	In 2008 The Living Archive presented the 'OurPlace:MK' exhibition, celebrating the Pioneers and Heroes who have played a part in the development of the Milton Keynes area.The exhibition took place in Middleton Hall, Central Milton Keynes.
	Nichola demonstrating in Milton Keynes
	Olney Lace Circle demonstrated lacemaking as part of the display put on by The Cowper and Newton Museum. This display featured Harry Armstrong – a lace dealer who formed the Cottage Workers’ Agency in 1906. He tried hard to help the lacemakers of the town earn more money by encouraging the gentry to buy their lace.

	Some of the other Heroes and Pioneers of this area included Alan Turing, a code breaker at Bletchley Park, who managed to break the German Enigma codes and probably shortened the war by 2 years. Also featured was Lord ‘Jack’ Campbell who secured the existence of the Open University and was also the first Chairman of the Milton Keynes Development Corporation; and Jim Marshall who was a pioneer of guitar amplification and based in Bletchley.

	Above a member is seen teaching young children at he Young Farmer's Country Fair. Below is the Lavenden Model Railway open day which some of us attended.


	We take the occasional trip out. Our most recent ones include Luton Museum to see the special collection of lace and Cecil Higgins Museum Bedford, which houses the Thomas Lester Collection. In July 2006 we visited Aylesbury museum and apart from the interesting exhibits enjoyed our lunch in the lovely garden on a beautiful hot sunny day
	A group of us outside Luton Museum
	In July 2007, we organised a group visit to Coton Manor Gardens, in Nothamptonshire, where some people bought plants and almost everyone had lunch in the busy restaurant!


	The next Lace Day on Saturday 20nd September 2008 will be at Stoke Goldington Village Hall. See map Tickets for this event are £3.50. If you would like to come and make lace with us send an SAE to: Anne Major Treasurer, Olney Lace Circle 7 Wareing Lane, Denton, Northants NN7 1DS Back to Lace Days Back to Notice Board Top

Lace making in Olney

Lace making week1