Arts & Crafts
The Craft Group is an established group and meets every Monday afternoon at 2.15 pm. The group welcomes people of all levels of skill and ability. If you are interested in joining this group for a session (or more), please click the link below to email Margaret.
The Cross
Completed in 2007 and made from 728 squares this wall hanging measures 198cm by 213cm. The Cross was embroidered by 215 people from the local community, ranging in age from seven to 99! Each square was individually designed. Some tell their own story, celebrating life events, church, families, special occasions, work and leisure activities. Each square includes a cross symbolising God's love for the world.
Today this wall hanging hangs on the western wall of St Martha's.
St. Martha’s Kneelers
Having finished the wall-hanging in the autumn of 2007 the craft group felt they wanted to continue the companionable meetings and maybe create something else. Looking around the church they felt new altar kneelers might be in order and the task would be started in the New Year.
The group met in early 2008 and discussed ideas. Everyone liked the idea of flowers, especially wild flowers, through the season and the diamond pattern linking the eight kneelers together.
Marianne agreed to draw up the design. The canvas is of a relative high count (10×10) to allow for arthritic fingers. The colours were chosen painstakingly to be true to nature as possible. A neutral background was chosen, partly to show off the flowers and partly not to clash with the carpet, as there was talk of this being replaced. The backing is leather. After some small hiccups stitching got under way in 2009. To enable more people to participate in the stitching, the sides, front and back, were stitched separately and later sewn back on. Eight people tackled the flowers.
Looking at the altar, from left to right, the flowers change through the seasons, from winter to spring, summer to autumn back to winter.
(Note that the flower in the right-hand panel of each kneeler appears again in the left-hand panel of the next kneeler).
Willow
Willow, Aconites, Snowdrops, Hazel, Daisy, Crocus, Periwinkle and Jasmine.
Daffodil
Celandine, Daffodil, Violets, Cowslip, Heartsease (Viola) and Bluebell.
Tulip
Buttercup, Lily of the Valley, Arum, Tulip, Dandelion and Dogrose.
Foxglove
Cranesbill, Ox-eye daisy, Foxglove, Clover, Strawberry and Honeysuckle.
Poppy
Harebell, Ragged Robin, Lady Smock, Poppy, Hawkweed and Sweet pea.
Cornflower
Scabious, Cornflower, Corncockle, Plantain, Red Campion and Bindweed.
Bramble
St. John’s wort, Teasel, Aster, Bramble, Hazel and Rosehip.
Christmas Rose
Sloe, Cyclamen, Christmas rose, Holly, Mistletoe and Ivy
All the people listed below have contributed in countless ways in the sewing and creation of the kneelers.
Shirley Blake, Shirley Bosley, Jean Buchanan, Chris Burrows, Barbara Clark, Sheila Davies, Marion Dickinson, Joan Goode, Jean Hemley, Barr Kazer, Marianne Sands, Carol Scribbins, Shirley Thomas, Sandra Thorne, Jennifer Watkins and Mary Whiles.
After almost four years, from planning to the final stitch, the kneelers were finished. They were dedicated at Harvest Festival 2011, an apt service as the whole project has been one of giving – by the sewing group as they supported each other over the years, and to the community who worship at St Martha’s.