First into the store were Jo Pay and 14-year-old Seleena from Wheatley, who were given a free crafty gift for being among he first 100 visitors on the day and £25 worth of complimentary HobbyCraft gift vouchers for being in pole position. For locations of HobbyCraft stores nationwide visit http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk or call free on 0800 027 2387
Each centimetre in the kilometre long scarf will represent the 100,000 children and young people who run away from home each year in the UK. The Big Stitch campaign runs until 13 January 2009, traditionally the coldest day of the year. To find out how to get involved call 0845-300 1128 or visit http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/bigstitch
Whatever the problem, Helen would solve it and she was always prepared to go that extra mile in her work by organizing trips to Exhibitions, Wool Sales and so on at weekends. In her busy life she still thought of others by running marathons for charity. Indeed, she ran one for Cancer Research just weeks before she died.
Many of us in the class at Oldham Life Long Learning Centre have known Helen for over 25 years and will miss her on two levels, both as a friend and as a teacher and we know that the world of machine knitting has also lost a skilled ambassador. We extend our deepest sympathy to her husband and family and our thoughts are with them as they face the difficult months ahead.
God Bless, Helen from all at the Friday Knitting Class, Gallery Oldham
A PROBLEM SHARED
Members of the club went to Machine Knitting LIVE! at Bury and told Anne about the problems the club now faces to keep going. Since Helen’s untimely death, the Friday morning class at Gallery Oldham is in a dilemma. They were almost ready to start the new term and found themselves without a teacher and no hope of getting one until January 2009 at the very earliest. They’ve had great support from the management of Life-long Learning, who have allowed the club to use the facilities and equipment for a very nominal sum until Christmas.
They call themselves a Community Group and as one of the more experienced members has kindly agreed to act as leader, they’ve been able to keep together as a group. However, in spite of advertising they’ve so far been unable to find a replacement teacher and face having to close down completely in December 2008. They wonder if there’s anyone within travelling distance of Oldham, who is suitably qualified and free on Friday mornings. All that’s required is to teach a keen and friendly bunch of enthusiastic machine knitters. If you’re hiding your light under a bushel and are interested in picking up the gauntlet, please call Kath Stone direct on 0161-770 8029.