If we could join all the stitches we have made since I last wrote for 'Threads' they would wrap the world in thread. Ours is only a small Guild but when we 'talk round the table' every month or two the diversity of work being created is amazing.

Some of our members are avid magazine book and magazine buyers and the endless new approaches to stitching extend members interests beyond fabric and thread. Some of the most popular new directions have been bead threading, weaving and knitting, even knitting with wire and beads.

The traditions have not been neglected either. We chose Wessex and Hardanger as special focus areas dedicating a night every month to cover the subject for interested members.

We have continued to teach a group of youngsters every Tuesday during the school terms and they completed cushions for the previous regional exhibition and have completed brightly coloured canvas panels of their own designs for the next. These have been beautifully framed by a member whose profession is in this field. They are a very bright set of girls, now maturing into teenagers with a sound background in stitching, ready to be embroiderers of the future.

The event of 2004 was 'Creative Celebrations' our 20 th anniversary exhibition. We invited several other groups to join us, acquired a large main street retail space, timed it to coincide with the Taranaki Rhododendron Festival and had ourselves a wonderful experience. It was hard to keep track of the people coming through the door and exceeded all our expectations. It required every member to contribute in some way and leaned heavily on the skills of a few. It required 14 days of dedicated attention but months later we are still receiving compliments and have four new members.

To further celebrate our 20 th year we went to dinner and consumed a birthday cake made and decorated by members. It has been a very good two years and 2005 looks exciting already.

Daphne Chambers