It is always interesting looking back over the previous year to view how much we achieved. The event that stands out most was working for people affected by the floods and, with the help of other Guilds around the region, giving each family a bag of sewing notions as well as making monetary donations to three fire brigades involved in the clean up.

We always start our year with a picnic with lots of stitch and chatter. During the year we had a variety of interesting speakers including a bespoke tailor who has travelled the world using his trade, Monica Jenks and her beautiful miniature carpets and a member of Victim Support.

Our 15 th birthday was celebrated with a dessert and coffee evening and our own entertainment, followed next month by Andrew Watson from the Amazing Maze who gave a hilarious, entertaining talk and showed us some of the costumes and masks they use.

Shuna Giles spoke about her fashion and design course and showed us the articles she made as part of the course to achieve her diploma.

Fabulous, colourful eastern threads and fabrics were shown by Jill Main, who is always an entertaining speaker and so enthusiastic about the culture and the art of the countries she visited with her friends.

A memorabilia night brought forth many treasured and interesting objects from our own members. There was also a short demonstration of card making by Yvonne Meyer.

We heard about the life of a New Zealander with a young family living and working in Saudi Arabia . She made many friends with the women and started learning patchwork during her time there. Cheryl Chambers told us about crazy patchwork and we viewed her samples and kits and the laces and charms used on the work

A very successful Deerfield embroidery workshop was taken by Pauline Green and many beautiful bags, cushions and pictures resulted.

Two members attended conference at North Shore , a very successful event and learnt more about the history of the Association. Members also attended the regional Tatum Park Retreat for a day, and are keen to attend for the whole time this year. The Regional Representative Judy Lund held a very successful meeting and pot luck lunch at the end of October which had a good attendance. Many members visited the five regional workdays, even though the weather was against us.

We are looking forward to another year of learning, fun and fellowship.

Yvonne Symonds