The late Bessie Mary Penlington kindly left £50,000 to VAR in her Will, with no stipulations as to how it should be spent. Our Board decided to run a Community Grants Programme with the funds, particularly targeting Rotherham VCSE groups with a turnover of £25,000 or less. This collection of blog posts share the stories of some of the recipients of that funding.
After days of clouds and dreariness it was lovely to head out in the sunshine to visit Greasbrough's champion knitters, Sheila and Pauline, who bring together a group meeting twice weekly to knit and crochet items for local charities.
The knit and natter group applied for some of the Miss Penlington Community Chest Fund to pay for supplies for various projects including baby blankets and jumpers. It all started in a local library around 12 years ago; Pauline had started attending a knitting group there and Sheila walked past and she saw a sign "knitters wanted"; it was clearly meant to be.
Since that initial meeting the group has grown and found a new home in Greasbrough. As I walk through the doors I am greeted with enthusiasm, and a cup of tea (of course), and the two are keen to show me their treasured items they have lovingly bagged up; it's a visual celebration of hand crocheted and knitted goods.
The items created by the group are gifted to local charities including Baby Basics in Sheffield, that provide much needed essentials and equipment to mothers and families who are unable to provide these items for themselves. Sheila explains some of the blankets also go to a local care home for the residents who really value the comfort they bring. The funding provided from the Miss Penlington Community Chest has bought them lots of needed supplies, particularly wool that is unfortunately very expensive nowadays.
Much about the group is more than the actual knitting of course, especially on Thursdays - for which they are now completely full - and it is fair to say that there is a lot more emphasis on the nattering, as Sheila says: "It's Bedlam." The group go on regular days out and trips away, and of course celebratory meals for each others birthdays. They have created a community.
I ask how they both learnt how to knit. Pauline told me she was taught as a young girl; Sheila was later, teaching herself to crochet initially and went from there. Known for its meditative and positive contributions to a persons' wellbeing, they tell me the items take hours to complete, but it is clear they love the process, as Pauline puts it: "I can't watch the TV without knitting."
And it's not just baby hats, jumpers and blankets, chatting with Sheila and Pauline opened my eyes to all the wonders of crocheting and knitting. I explained I struggled with crochet hooks but have made "arm crochet" blankets in the past; Pauline googles different devices that could help me with my future endeavors. They tell me about "twiddle muffs", a fresh take on the classic arm warmers adorned with beautiful creations to provide stimulation for the wearer. Also "trauma teddies" which they make regularly for local services to support children who have been involved in traumatic circumstances, either as comforters or communication aids.
Photographing the little jumpers and blankets, I can't help but think of my daughter and all the beautiful knitted items we were gifted when she was born, and the weight of the emotion behind them for me; the hat she was put in minutes after birth and the blanket I brought her home in. There is so much love woven in, by those that created them in anticipation of her birth, and by us in the aftermath.
Pauline and Sheila are keen for these items to go to charities and good causes that would really appreciate them. If you are interested please contact Amy - amy.forde@varotherham.org.uk - and I will make the connection.
Comments