Welcome to the Association of Northern Stitch Groups

 

​Association Afternoon 2025

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          The Association Afternoon was well attended with representatives from all the ten

stitch groups  in attendance. Members enjoyed browsing the different sales tables and taking

advantage of the lovely selection of books, tree ornaments and textile supplies on sale.

Chris Lloyd, the Chief Features Editor of the Northern Echo, gave an excellent illustrated talk

that was both informative and amusing. During the talk he described how

Paton and Baldwins moved to Darlington from Halifax in 1945, and became the

largest wool processing factory in the world. They were also one of the main

employers of women in the area, needing to bus them in from the surrounding

areas to cope with the enormous workload. The famous beehive logo found on both

the yarn and knitting patterns was synonymous with the quality of the products.

The knitting patterns included in the presentation were familiar to many of the

members, especially those showing Roger Moore at the start of his career.

The factory in Darlington catered well for it’s staff, providing excellent facilities for the

vast work force. Sadly, in the 1960’s, the introduction of man-made fibres,

increased spending power in household budgets and the desire for cheaper,

more garish coloured clothes, caused the demise of the factory.

The factory sadly closed in 1980 and the building is now used as a distribution

centre for various textile products.​

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 Kate Slaughter attended with her stall of embroidery goodies, there was

the usual raffle, along with stitched Christmas tree

decorations for sale (and the remaining brooches).

There was a sale of gold threads, textile materials and embroidery books.

The raffle was drawn around 3.15pm.

 

Below are some photos from the afternoon, including completed

work from previous ANSG workshops, the book stall and the

Christmas decorations for sale.

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Events for 2026

The first workshop of the year will be with Helen Winthorpe Kendrick at Bowburn, on 28th March.

The technique chosen is Mountmellick embroidery.

The promotional flyer and application form will be sent to ISGs at the beginning of December.

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The second workshop will be on Saturday 26th September​, with Heather Lewis,

teaching shaded canvaswork.​​

 

ANSG AGM 2025

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The 2025 AGM took place on April 26th at Bowburn Community Center with nine of the stitch groups being

represented at the event.

The minutes of the 2024 AGM were accepted as a true and accurate record and there were

no matters arising.

The chairman Pauline Oldershaw, presented her report and commented on the successful events

that had taken place over the last tewlve months.

This was followed by the Treasurer's report, in which Pat Dickenson commented on the ANSG's finances;

acceptance of the audited accounts was proposed and seconded by two members of Richmond &

Leyburn Creative Stitchers.

The changes to the Constitution were approved unanimously by a show of hands by all members present.

Pauline Oldershaw has now stepped down as Chairman and as there were no nominations for a new

Chairman the committee will discuss the issue later. The treasurer and secretary are willing to stay in

office for another year, as are the rest of the committee. Denise Crawford, Chair of TAS 2 Durham

stitch group was welcomed onto the committee.

There were no questions from members, the date of the next AGM was confirmed as April 25th 2026.

In recognition of her hard work Kate Allport presented Pauline with an orchid and a gift voucher on behalf 

of the committee.

Following the AGM, Kevin Thornhill gave an informative and amusing talk about wedding dresses, with

particular reference to Royal wedding dresses. There were a selection of dresses on display and many

others for the members to enjoy looking at before the meeting started and after the talk.

There was a very varied selection of stitched brooches, creatd by members, on sale, and as usual we

enjoyed light refreshments and took part in the raffle.​

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