I feel as though I write this more than once a year - time goes quickly when you're having fun! I sometimes wonder how many stitches have been made since the last 'Threads' article.

Another busy year saw our monthly in-house sessions include tuition in Dorset embroidery, Spanish Moorish cutwork, goldwork, appliqué, a three-cornered bag, Assisi, Wessex and encrusted embroidery. All of these helped provide plenty of variety for our annual exhibition, particularly when added to all the other items members had made in between times.

We also had a special day for bookmaking (not bets, the other kind). This was described as simple bookmaking, but as one specimen could be opened seven different ways, we were glad not to be attempting the complicated sort.

Our monthly videos days have just about covered all those available from ANZEG Resources, and some were of such interest that we repeated them. In the coming year we intend to explore 'Beyond the Kit' on the days we used to have videos and we're looking forward to where this exploration in creativity will take us.

The special event of the year was our 21 st birthday in November and we had a very enjoyable dinner at a local venue with members, partners, past members and special guests. It was noticeable that husbands and partners picked up on the friendly atmosphere of the Guild and understood better what makes us 'gel'. On stitch-and-chat days in our homes, the men usually head for the hills, but now they see we are not a coven at all!

Life member Jean Leigh was the guest exhibitor at our annual show in December/January. She won the viewers' choice award at 2004 Great Escape and could have filled the hall with examples of her work without any trouble.

The event was opened by the district's lady mayor at a wine and cheese and was very successful, although the unseasonable weather probably was responsible fore a drop in visitor numbers. However, as our main fundraiser, it helped us a little on our way to Gore next year.

At the AGM in February Ank Mellema was elected president and as she packs in as much energy as any other three people, will keep us busy. Committee vacancies were filled and the proposed programme accepted by a very good attendance of members.

Secretary Marguerite Simmonds is returning for her final year of eight in the role and will combine it with the role of vice president.

Jo Jones