Spinners & Weavers have golden reason to celebrate

A celebration of all things knitted, crocheted and woven will land at The Old Courthouse in May, for the 50th birthday of the Busselton Spinners and Weavers.

The group is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary with the Golden Fleece Exhibition, which opens at The Old Courthouse on Saturday 24th May at 10am.

Group spokesperson Cath Miller said much of the yarn used in the unique items created by club members has been handspun, a method which has been used for hundreds of years – despite advances in spinning wheel technology.

“Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see spinners at work and admire a variety of historic spinning wheels from around the world.”

The club was established in 1975 with just seven members, who met in a variety of locations including the old “Cottage Craft” shop in Albert Street.

“By 1977 the dozen members were meeting in the Arts Society room in the old Shire Offices.”

In 1978, the club was offered a permanent home at the Old Courthouse Arts Centre, and Cath said it was appropriate that the 50th birthday celebrations were held there.

“This has been made possible by the generous support of the City of Busselton who have sponsored the venue hire for the club.”

In 1979, the group created a hand-spun and handwoven 1829 period costume for WA’s Sesquicentenary, the 150th anniversary celebrations.

The piece is on permanent display at the Butter Factory Museum, which Cath confirmed was “thankfully not damaged in the fire”.

In 1991, the club moved from the Bond Store to help accomodate all their members and equipment – they went via Churchill Park to the RSL Hall in Duchess Street where they met for 10 years, before moving to their permanent home in the school rooms at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Pettit Street.

“A number of current members have been part of the group since the 1980s, with Faith Sparrow joining in 1981 and Win Wills and Jo-Ellen Wilson joining in 1987.

“Membership peaked at 38 in 1987, but normally varies between 20 and 25.”

Ahead of the Golden Fleece Exhibition, club members have been working enthusiastically to the event theme.

“The handiwork reflects the diversity of skills in the club and includes crochet, knitting, tapestry weaving, loom weaving and needle felting.”

The Golden Fleece Exhibition kicks off at 10am on Saturday May 25 and will run for two weekends until June 4.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BusseltonSpinWeaveKnit