Project One

At the 1986 AGM, a member thought it might be a good idea for the Lace Circle to design and make a piece of modern lace which might then be donated to the Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney.

The 'piece of modern lace' became a set of four pictures, each interpreting one of the four seasons.

Lesley Hancon designed and organised the making of these pictures.

The first picture to be worked, was 'Summer'. It depicts the bridge and church of Olney - a scene which has been painted many times through the years.

The finished picture measures 2 feet square and has a 3-D effect created by the blossom on the tree being made of individual petals standing proud of the background as do the wings of the butterflies and dragonfly.

The second picture depicted Winter.

The view is from a window in the Cowper and Newton Museum and looks out onto the Bull Hotel in the High Street with a Christmassy theme.
The robin has a padded body, the candle is also raised and the Christmas roses and the ivy stand away from the background.

The Autumn picture is of Cowper's Oak, which is no longer in existence.

The Spring picture is of the Lace Factory in the High Street with spring flowers in the foreground. Click here to see a photograph of the actual building.

The time spent on all four pictures probably exceeds 2,000 hours.

The Lace Circle have gained a great deal from this project - fellowship, confidence to attempt more challenging work and using colour for the first time!

The four pictures were handed over to the Cowper and Newton Museum. They are on display in the Museum alongside examples of old lace.

Project Two

In 1992 Olney's Community Centre, was re-opened by The Duchess of Kent on 1st October.

The Lace Circle was asked to demonstrate lace on that during the visit and also to make an item of lace which could be presented to Her Royal Highness.

As the Duchess was to be presented with a copy of The Olney Hymns by John Newton, we decided that a bookmark would be appropriate.

Two identical Bucks Point motifs were mounted, one on each end, on to ribbon.

The Duchess of Kent seemed thrilled to receive the gift and showed great interest in our lace making.

Project Three

The Lace Circle has also been involved in 'The One World Quilt' on display at the Cathedral Church in Central Milton Keynes. We made a 'Tree of Life'

Project Four

The Olney Textile Map was a community based project undertaken for the Millenium.

Contributions came from many different groups within the town, resulting in the production of a map of Olney using a variety of techniques and styles.

This map is on display at the Olney Community Centre, High Street Olney.

Lesley Hancon's contemporary design of the River Ouse was our subject and is worked in Milanese lace

Project Five

For our Silver Anniversary in 2004, we decided to make a chessboard featuring lace squares in black and white which could involve everyone in our group Each member, including the children, completed two squares each.

Our resident designer and secretary (at the time), Lesley, created 32 patterns, each one was to be worked in ecru and black, making 64 squares  altogether.

We held a special project day at the beginning of April, when we all began
our squares.
It was met with great enthusiasm, with many members contributing more than one square each over the next few months

Everyone enjoyed the project and as soon as some of the pieces were finished Lesley began mounting them. The work in progress was on display at our 25th Lace Day in September 2004.

A close up picture of four of the squares and a larger view showing the almost finished piece.

As soon as the last square was in place, the finished article was taken to be framed so that it would be available for all the members to see at the AGM in November.

We were all delighted and felt very proud of our contribution. A vote of thanks was given to Lesley as without her vision and hard work it would not have been possible
.
The project is now completely finished and the result is a beautiful framed wall hanging which is publicly displayed in 'The Olney Centre' situated in Olney High Street.

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Contact Lesley at: lesjohn.hancon@btopenworld.com