Macramé is a relaxing and therapeutic craft and may help to keep your fingers nimble. You can only work as fast as your fingers will allow  so rushing your work is not an option. However, I have to warn you it is addictive as my partner and friends will testify; once hooked you will be tying knots in everything!

 

My workshops are very informal affairs and by limiting the numbers I am able to pass on my knowledge on a “one to one” basis.   I hold day courses at Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre in Peterborough, England. Contact  01733 313414.  E-mail; info@flagfen.org   Web;  www.flagfen.org

I also arrange small tutorials in the comfort of your own home for you and your friends they are very flexible and can be held, daytime or evening. Or a more formal venue can be arranged. Individual tuition can also be arranged. My fees are based on an hourly rate, plus expenses and materials.

                    

The History & Art of Knotting Talk
Talk fee:  £35.00   
Travel expenses to be agreed at time of booking.
I am willing to travel approximately 60 miles from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire (England).
Further distances may be negotiable on request.

 

What do Hercules, Vestal Virgins, sore throats and a heavy metal band have in common?

The answer and lots of other weird and wonderful ways knots have been used from the stone age to the 21st century can be found during my talk in a fun and interactive way with many items and pictures passed around the audience. There is also an exhibition of my work, as a designer of knotted art, which covers approximately 6ft of table space. At the end of the talk a short "tie a knot" session can be arranged for anyone wishing to have a go.

Many items from my exhibition are for sale and commissions are happily undertaken.
Duration is approximately 45 minutes, but please allow 60 minutes if the "tie a knot" session is required.

Previous talks presented at  - Women's Institutes, Townswomen's Guilds, British Cardiac Patients Group, Friendship Clubs, NHS Trust Retirement Fellowship, Ladies Circles, Lace Makers Guilds, Embroiders' Guilds, Spinners and Weavers Guilds.

Contact information
email  -  or    I am listed in the Peterborough speakers directory and currently on the speakers panels of the following Federations of Women's Institutes;  Cambridge Huntingdon & Peterborough,  Ely,  Norfolk, Northamptonshire Women's Institute, South Lincolnshire and Suffolk West.

 

 

Recent press coverage, Stamford Mercury  (12/11/09)

Ever since the Stone Age, human beings have been tying knots in one way or another.  Sailors, Boy Scouts and even Vestel Virgins have all practised the art, and the phrase 'tying the knot' for couples getting married goes back to traditional handfasting ceremonies. Athletes in ancient Greece tied knots before taking part in the Games, though the details would make a modern participant wince (and are perhaps best not described in a family newspaper).

 

The source of this information was knotologist Wendy Elizabeth Smith, who presented a comprehensive history of knots to Uffington WI's November meeting, and brought along examples of her own hand-knotted jewellery for sale.

 

One unusual aspect of her talk featured her work in reconstructing Bronze Age clothes (which used a form of knotting) for the Flag Fen archeological site in Peterborough.  Members were fascinated to see the beautiful garments made from yarn originating from flax and nettles, including a surprisingly modern- looking mini-skirt and a stylish top embellished with buttons created from polished acorns...

 

 

 

2010 Schedule

12th January Walpole Cross Keys Jephson Village Hall, Walpole Cross Keys, Kings Lynn, Norfolk

4th February Abbey Women's Institute (afternoon) Bury Village Hall, Brookfield Way, Bury, Ramsey

4th February Helpston Women's Institute The Village Hall, Helpston, Peterborough

2nd March,  Cottesmore Women's Institute Cottesmore, Oakham, Rutland. Venue to be advised

4th March, Bluntisham & Colne Women's Institute Colne Village Hall, Huntingdon

10th March,  Fincham & District Women's Institute Fincham Memorial Hall, Fincham, King's Lynn, Norfolk

16th March, Oundle Embroiderer's Guild Drill Hall, Oundle

1st April,  Fenland Lacer Makers , The Reading Rooms, Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire

6th April,  Waltham on the Wolds Women's Institute The Waltham Village Hall, Waltham, Leicestershire

7th April, Arnesby Women's Institute, Arnesby Village Hall, Arnesby, Leicester

14th April Liddington Women's Institute Venue to be confirmed

22nd April, Lutterworth Embroiderer's Guild, Wycliffe Memorial Church Hall, Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth

3rd June Sawtry Women's Institute W I Hall, Gidding, Sawtry, Huntingdon

9th June,  Abbotsley Women's Institute Abbotsley Village Hall, Abbotsley, Cambridgeshire

15th June,  Glenfield Women's Institute St. Peter's Hall, Glenfield,Leicester

1st July,  Bourne Arthritis Support Group Community Room, Meadow Court, Meadow Close, Bourne

13th July The Leys St. Ives Women's Institute, The Village Hall, Walsoken, Wisbech

15th July, Elmesthorpe Women's Institute Elmesthorpe Village Hall, Leicester

18th August, Billesdon Women's Institute Coplow Community Centre, Billesden, Leicester

2nd September,  Humberstone Women's Institute Abbots Road UR Church Hall, Humberstone, Leicester

11th October Thurnby & Bushby Women's Institute Memorial Hall, Thurnby, Leicester

12th October Walsoken Women's Institute The Village Hall, Walsoken, Wisbech

3rd November Glapthorn Women's Institute Glapthorn Village Hall, Glapthorn, Northamptonshire

4th November Fenstanton Women's Institute Church Centre, School Lane, Fenstanton, Huntingdon

9th November Oundle Women's Institute, Methodist Church Hall, Drummingwell Lane, Oundle  

20th November, Aragon Lacemakers Goldington Middle School, Haylands Way, Bedford