Above: Visitors at the exhibition, with the exhibits by local school children in the foreground. See below for more photos.

Bainbridge Quaker Meeting House yet again, with its Exhibition of Talents over the weekend of June 14-15 (2025) provided a warm and friendly venue for showcasing the amazing and fascinating selection of arts and crafts created by local people.

The ages of exhibitors ranged from nursery school children to an 89-year-old with most of them from mid and upper Wensleydale. They included members of local Quaker meetings, their friends, the Crafty Ladies, Women’s Institute, a photographer with a professional background, and individuals who follow their passions ranging from painting, wood turning, toy making,  enamel work,  jewellery, needlework and knitting.

There was a cardigan coat hand spun and knitted from Swaledale wool; comfort dolls knitted for children admitted to the Kanti Hospital Children’s Burns Unit in Kathmandu; and a super-soft shawl ‘River Ure’ knitted with four-ply Wensleydale wool in the blue colour of ‘Semerwater’.

There were also some unexpected exhibits: two sculptures made from antiquated plumbing, and a decorated plaster cast which had once protected a broken arm. Some of the braiding and weaving dated back to 1957 and were still in use.

One of the organisers, Gwen Clark, commented: ‘The local school contributed a selection from all age groups and it was wonderful that they wanted to share their talents.

‘The visitors seemed entranced, fascinated and engaged, spending time investigating the skills, reading the detail, especially the children’s contributions.’ She added that many knew the exhibitors and expressed pleasure in knowing more about their skills and talents.

With such a large variety of exhibits filling the Quaker meeting room it wasn’t surprising that visitors took their time to enjoy their journey of discovery. The organisers were very grateful to all those who shared their talents.

A beaded bee by Elaine Woods 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen Sorsby: Shawl knitted  in Wensleydale four-ply wool colour ‘Semerwater’  – pattern ‘River Ure’. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hand-spun Swaledale wool and knitted by Sue Holden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walled Garden (crochet) by Margaret Townsend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Hugh Dower: right – from vandalised pipework; left – hot towel rail made from fairly antiquated fittings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music Room Lightbox by Sandra Hewitt, plus her Cross Stitch ‘Lady’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jewellery by Beverley Dore and Copperdale Craft by Ben Grisewood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stained glass window plaque by Judith Bromley