I make no apologies for craft bombing you with abandon at the moment. Recently it was the North Yorkshire’s Thirsk Yarnbombers’ hanging baskets dangling outside shops pubs and businesses

         The Black Lion                                                  JW Estate Agents

Today we switch to quilting. As you will know, Frost Magazine has been covering the Columbia Community Centre and how it stepped up to the plate during Covid, much as Thirsk’s community did, and I wanted to see how things were  post-Covid in my mother’s birthplace. I discovered that the CCA were pressing forward in leaps and bounds poring over plans for refurbishment, which has now begun – hooray.

Link to the first editorial on the refurbishment of the CCA building,

While work progresses, the CCA based at Brady Square, Washington, Tyne and Wear is of course, managing on the one hand to facilitate the internal and external renovations, while with the other, making sure that the groups who meet at the centre still have space to dance, exercise or in the case of the Fat Quarters Sewing Group create magnificent quilts like the one heading this article.  Oh, and to have a cuppa, of course.

Having been sent the photo of the quilt by Marion Taylor the secretary and unstoppable force of the CCA, I simply had to talk to Marilyn Ellison, the creater of this glorious Wedding Quilt, made for a grandson who is to pledge his troth today, the 12th August.  You see, I make baby quilts, which take me long enough, so how on earth…

Knowing the blood sweat and tears, not to mention pricked fingers,  that go into my little offerings, all with the rather wonky result, well-meant though they are,  I  simply had to chat to the creater of a ‘proper’ quilt, one which fills me with awe, and more than a bit of frustration. I mean, how and stay sane?

Enter stage left, Marilyn Ellison – drum roll, ta-ra-ra – doyen of the quilting world, in company with the other Fat Quarters ladies of the CCA. So, come on Marilyn, give us the gen on quilting, and Wedding Quilts, and all you know, if you please.

Marilyn comes from a long line of dressmakers – at least three generations:  ‘So it was perhaps natural,’ Marilyn said when we spoke, ‘that on retirement I would continue to pursue the family talent in some way.’

‘But before we move on,‘ I insisted, ‘Let’s put the name of the group to rest, because let’s face it, none of you  are  fatties not even plumpies. So why the name?’

‘No, no,’ laughed Marilyn. ‘Let me explain: if you have a metre of cloth, in order to get more usable material you fold it in half lengthways, then again, so you have a Fat Quarter. You then cut through the fat layers, or quarters, to produce four shapes. In this way you get more from the metre of cloth.’ So there we have it; no fatties, just quilting lingo.

Now back to the matter in hand.

It seems that a Wedding Quilt, such as the one Marilyn has worked, is not made in one piece, but in manageable blocks. These blocks are then sewn into one big quilt, which by the end is pretty heavy on the arms and shoulders. Can you  imagine, therefore, working each patchwork shape into the whole, not a block? It couldn’t be done, for a start it would fall over the floor and you’d end up with arms like a weight lifter.  Once the blocks are amalgamated into a whole, a border is then sewn.

‘So is that it?’ I asked.

‘Heavens no, then comes the wadding, and finally the backing material which is usually in one piece or perhaps two – remember  that you can obtain 5’ wide material. Finally each quilt has a label sewn on by the quilter, with a quote, or whatever is their usual ‘signature’’ Just like a work of art, I thought. For these creations are art.

My mind flicked to Larkrise to Candleford which I am watching on DVD at the moment and Marilyn and I talked about the strain of sewing by candlelight as people once did, but we decided that the eye strain was as nothing against the benefits of their Sewing Bee chatter, which no doubt was actually gossip, and probably made the industrious endeavour pleasant, instructive, and fun. Indeed a break from the cleaning, baking, bringing in the harvest and traipsing miles to the local town. I watch each episode of Larkrise to Candleford wondering at the sheer exhaustion of the life, and the discomfort.

But back to today’s world.

Our chat about sewing bees led to Marilyn and I discussing the merits of working in a group in this day and age, and they are just the same as in the 1800s – chatter and friendship which the Fat Quarters Sewing Group experience in their present home at the CCA. I say present, because the Fat Quarters is an amalgam of two groups, and has been in existence for quite some time resident in places various.

Candlelight or not, the chatter goes on much as it always has done, and the friendships endure. As Marilyn said, ‘These crafts are making a comeback, and if anyone is interested they will be more than welcome to join the Fat Quarters Sewing Group, really they will.’

So take heed, all you sewers, or potential sewers, for you will receive encouragement, and guidance, and I know from my little efforts that a handmade quilt is well received.

But that wasn’t all we talked about, for Marilyn told me about the Quilters Cottage at the   Beamish Museum and I reckon the Fat Quarters should head there for a day out to visit  Josph Headley’s cottage, which originally stood in Warden, near Hexham, where he carried on the cottage industry of quilting in the 1800s. His fine craftwork was, it is thought, sent as far as America, and his particular border ‘signature’, became known as Old Joe’s Chain and I believe can be seen on display at Beamish who hold one of the only three of his quilts in existence. Go on, girls, give yourselves a treat. There is a cafe there too, and ice cream parlours.

Joe’s story is fascinating: craftsmanship, marriage to a woman 25 years older, and … wait for it …murder…

And so is quilting, and there are friends waiting to welcome you into the fold.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square  

Here’s the link for more: https://www.beamish.org.uk/exhibits/quilter-cottage/

Margaret Graham is the author of 30 books under her own name, Milly Adams and Annie Clarke. She has a special interest in military veterans and walked Hadrian’s Wall last year to raise funds, she  also lost weight -hooray but it’s all back – boo. She  is Annie Newsome’s daughter (of which she is proudest).

Annie in her parachute silk wedding dress and Bill, Margaret’s Da

I first went to one of Angie Latham Sacred Earth Sound Healing’s  baths about 4 years ago &  was immediately hooked. It was such a beautiful, ethereal experience. I had been experiencing random pains in my legs (which I later learned was a menopause symptom) & afterward the sound experience  the pains disappeared for several months. And every experience since has been different and positive.

I knew by the 2^nd or 3^rd sound bath that to collaborate with Angie would be wonderful.. Earlier this year Angie & I did our first Chakra Cleanse. I led the room through a yoga, breath work & meditation to cleanse, balance & align their energy centres whilst Angie worked her magic with her beautiful sound baths. It was a wonderful afternoon & we received so many amazing testimonials.

Angie once worked in the NHS & ended up with burnout. At the time she confessed she didn’t really understand about energy, but do any of us? Angie uses this analogy, ‘If we were out in the world dressed in white we would get home & notice the dirt that we had picked up , or in other words, other people’s negative, or perhaps positive energy. . Everything is energy, it is all around us. If we were wearing black then we wouldn’t know what we had absorbed. We need our own energy.’ 

We can see this if  someone walkis in &  lightis up the room or conversely someone enters who has just had an argument & we feel that discomfort. That’s energy. After handing in her notice, Angie went to The Healing Weekend & spent several hundred pounds on her first gong & her passion for sound healing was awoken.

So what is sound healing?

Angie, explained, ‘Sound is energy, it has a vibration & as human beings are mostly water, we’re great conductors of sound & vibration, amplify the cleansing & purifying properties of what is essentially a sonic massage. Scientists are beginning to understand that our cells literally plump up & become more fluid from the vibrations of a gong (so und)bath.’

And what is a sound bath?   Firstly, you won’t need your swimming costume! As Angie says, ‘It’s all about letting go, complete surrender. I’ve seen clients just blossom & open up after a sound bath. You don’t have to be spiritual, you don’t have to be anything, Sound baths work for everybody because they work on all levels: the physical, the emotional & a mental/spiritual level. Whatever you need, you’ll experience.’

She went on to say, ‘Sound bypasses the ego mind. Whatever your mind thinks you need, the sound will give you what you really need!’  

Angie went onto to say & this is something which I also reiterate in my classes all the time, ‘We can’t stop thought, we can’t stop thinking but we can learn to let go of thinking that doesn’t serve us; negative stories & mind-loops,. You know those stories that keep us awake at night. Sound helps us to let go of those thoughts, giving us some freedom & space, which ultimately paves the way for healing & transformation.

Angie uses crystal singing bowls, which are 99% quartz crystal. Quartz crystal is a natural purifier, cleanser & amplifier. Each bowl is tuned to a certain note which resonates with each of the chakras. Angie plays the bowls to enhance the balancing & cleansing properties of the combination of breath, yoga poses & meditation to bring each of our energetic centres back into balance & alignment which is how they work best. It’s a very powerful practice.

As Angie beautifully summed it up, ‘I’m just guiding people to remember who they really are by accessing the wisest part of themselves by dialing down the mind to remind you that you are heart centred & present, full of love & peace.’

Ultimately we are not just our physical bodies, we have a soul & energy. Becoming more heart centred opens up the gateway to our soul.

The people who have the best experiences in a sound & gong bath are those who have no expectations, and just let go & experience whatever comes up with an open heart and mind. Because, as Angie says, ‘Once you know something you just can’t un-know it.’

To find out more about Angie’s work check out her website: https://www.sacredearthsoundtherapy.com/

Or on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SacredEarthSoundTherapy

If you are interested in joining us on any of the upcoming monthly Chakra Cleanse, we would love to see you, please click on this link https://www.tickettailor.com/events/sacredearthsoundtherapy/743764/

Acts of Love and War by Maggie Brookes

1936 – Civil War in Spain – a world teetering towards – well what? War? Chaos?

21 year old Lucy feels content with her Herfordshire existence probably because she lives next door to Tom and Jamie, two very different brothers both of whom she is inordinately fond.

Then Tom decides to travel to the Spanish warzone, only to be followed by Jamie who supports General Franco, much to Lucy’s horror..

Her irascible father is similarly horrified when she decides to follow them. So is she too going to pick a side? No, her intention is to persuade them both to return, but instead she  becomes immersed in the war, but in a different way, preferring to  join with the Quakers to help the civilians, many of whom are refugees.

Her experiences make her realise that far from bringing the two men back, hopefully to settle with the one she chooses, the three of them will be lucky  to survive at all. If they do, how changed will they be? What common ground will exist for any of them to go forward as friends at the very least, and for Lucy – who will she choose to live her life with?

War and so too the vicisitudes of love can hone endurance to a point where acceptance of things as they now are is achieved, and the possibility on onward and upwards is a reality.  Is this the case for our three characters?

Surely you don’t expect me to tell you? I insist you read this intelligent empathetic novel. You won’t regret it.

In Hardback, ebook and audio. Published by Century

 August  is here and Frost Magazine is clinging onto the CCA’s coat-tails as they career helter skelter along their refurbishment road as Marion Taylor and the committee balance the needs of  users and workers.

3rd August was deemed ‘takeoff’ for the sanding of the wooden front door, its frame, and the glass panel.The lads from  Complete Outdoor Cleaning & Maintenance assured Marion:  ‘It will be a thing of beauty coveted by all!’

Ah, so Is this why Marion is thinking of an Edwardian Door Knocker? ‘The committee might have different ideas’ she says, ‘but I think it will look fabulous and what about a door handle to match the Edwardian door knocker? (Hyacinth Bouquet what have you started?)’ Marion’s words, not Margaret’s. 

So is this all that has been happening? Silly me.

On Mondays,  Equans who are so generously providing and funding the new kitchen, have their weekly meetings at the CCA. Fortunately there is always an ample supply of biscuits, tea and coffee but recently it is  Adams Ale that has been requested. Margaret Graham assumes this is actually water. Gloom. 

Later Cosmic Blinds, of good old Brady Square, arrived at 9.am to measure the windows, The young man’s first words, Marion tells me, were:“I will do what I can to help as I have great memories of this centre. My children had their birthday parties here and what fun we had, and, I would like to help the community in any way I can.’

Marion’s resonse?  “There is no blood like Brady blood, it’s a delicious melting pot of sincerity, love and pride that runs through the veins. Thank you, John Kelly your Cosmic blinds are out of this world.‘

The gas cooker was removed during the week, ‘And collected  by the local scrap man as we are starting to make preparations for the new kitchen, I really don’t know how Bob manages to do these tasks flying solo,’ says Marion. 

All this as the classes bustled in and out. With the dancers came music  laughter, and all the little people dancing their hearts out led by the wonderfully talented Aimee. ‘Who bends her body into shapes I have only read about in magazines (Frost I think)‘ says Marion. 

‘So, is that it?’ I ask, again. ‘Oh, Margaret, when will you learn,‘ I can hear my mum, Annie Newsome say, knowing full well how  the community would continue to rally round… as the CCA accepting donations of School Uniforms on behalf of Equans and Spectacles for the Cambodian appeal.

Marion has also used social media to request that  food is donated  for hampers to be raffled in aid of the Ukrainian appeal. The Family Tree Florist is sadly closing down at the end of the week and Rachel, the owner, has donated  various types of cellophane wrapping along with an array of ribbons.

Off you go then, Marion. Get working on the bows.  

Towards the end of the week the doors were collected to be stripped, which would take a week. Alongside the refurbishment activity The  Forever young bingo ladies made their appearance. Three welcome and utterly calorie free orange cakes had also appeared. Poof! courtesy of fairy Linda, who was   off to Scarbrough   but didn’t want the ladies to be denied their treats. Marion naturally had to test the cake, just a slice you understand, but how big a slice was not disclosed.

Then it was the Fat Quarters sewing group’s turn to take their place, and work on their wonderful quilts. Finally, it was Friday, and – bells and whistles –  Marion’s birthday. Apparently she is 21+VAT +VAT. Yeah. Yeah. Not only that, but Graham and Christine Thirlaway of the local shop donated lots of hamper goodies. Sister Mary Scholastica also congratulated the community on its achievements, and mentioned she had enough toiletries to last the Seamen 5 months. Hurrah hurrah for the  community – again.

‘So what progress on the hampers?’ Margaret asked.’Six hampers all ready’ Marion says, ‘and taken over to Phil at Di’s Diner who bless him has agreed to sell our raffle tickets at a £1.00 a strip.’

Honestly, Margaret needs a cuppa just thinking about it all, or hang on, let’s make it a glass of wine – onlly to celebrate Marion’s birthday, you understand.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

There will be a CCA Newsletter available in the main corridor

Margaret Graham is an author,  but she prefers to chat to friends over lunch and a glass of wine. Buns and a cuppa are also good.