Sew Much Fun in Hammersmith

Rusty, working at his embroidery

Great to be in Hammersmith, London today doing a sewing workshop with the Befrienders' Service at the Masbro Community Centre. It's a fantastic group and a credit to Martha Romero who manages the programme. The Befrienders' Service works with older people who are isolated, need help with shopping or DIY - or simply want a friendly face to visit occasionally. Martha recruits volunteers then teams them up with older people so that friendships are forged.
Today at the workshop we had our oldest ever embroiderer - Rusty, aged 91 who raced away with the design. It was the first time he'd ever done embroidery, though he said he was pretty good at sewing and took up his own trousers etc. He said he'd been in the navy and you had to know how to sew a bit.
Sewing tutor Katrina Williams taught the group the crewelwork nightingale design we developed with the Royal School of Needlework a few years ago.
We're looking forward to our next session at the Masbro Centre on 17 May. Lots of people took their embroidery home with them today to work on in the meantime.