Protesting at London Councils meeting

Morning protest outside London Councils offices, Southwark, ahead of a Grants' Committee meeting. Very cold. On the agenda: funding cuts that will cripple many small organisations supporting vulnerable groups across London. Our partners, the AsianWomen's Resource Centre, are out in force. A bitterly cold morning and disappointing news. Looks likely that the axe will fall from the end of June next year.

More news from Harlesden - a bag and a rug

Hannah Walker reports on this week's class at the Asian Women's Resource Centre in Harlesden. The work seems to be going really well. Several women have already completed work, which will go on display at Willesden Green Library early next month, as part of Islamic Awareness Week.
And people are still bringing in other examples of their work.

Hannah has sent photos and background:
Daxa brought in a bag she made nearly twenty-five years ago when she was a young girl in India. It's decorated in small pieces of plastic that are glued on to the fabric's surface and is a type of embellishment that she learned from her mother.

 Pearla also brought in another rug she is making, this time using thick rug wool. Perla's 'Magic Loom' also makes crocheting easy to do and with this device, she plans to make a bed spread.

Once again, I couldn't make the class at the Asian Women's Resource Centre in Harlesden. And every week it seems to get more interesting. Hannah Walker, who led today's class, sent over some pictures and info. Thank you, Hannah  - what would we do without you?

"This week students brought in pieces of their own needlework. Khalima brought in a bedspread that she had embroidered with wool, a needlework technique known as Crewelwork. Her seventeen-year-old daughter who studies art and design at college designed the flower and vase motifs. 

"Pearla brought in examples of her knitting and crochet work that included a long knitted scarf, two beanie hats and a crocheted rug sampler made of wicker twine. From the sampler she plans to make a large rug for relatives living in the Caribbean. Using the same material will mean the rug will be ideal for higher climates where rugs need to feel cooler under the foot than ones made of thick rug wool.

"Pearla also brought in a very small baby’s cardigan that she crocheted in bright yellow wool. She kindly gave this to Eleanor, a student in our class who is pregnant.

"At only three weeks into the course two very keen students, Kunsum and Chanchal, have finished their exhibition embroidery – a piece we are asking every student to complete using their own design.  They have both produced a beautiful motif embroidered in the stitches we covered during weeks one and two: stem stitch; running stitch; chain stitch; French knots; sequin embellishment."

Rain, Harlesden and our first interfaith embroidery class

What a change of weather. Harlesden is very, very wet.

 We're running our first embroidery class, funded by Faiths in Action (through Communities and Local Government), at the Asian Women's Resource Centre. I've worked with the AWRC for some time. Meherun Ahmed has become a good friend. These classes run from 11am to 1pm on Thursdays from now until the end of November. We're lucky enough to have funding for Royal School of Needlework tutors, our own Hannah Walker (who designed the packs) as a co-ordinator, a creche and a cook for a lunch club. I'm sorry that I have to miss the lunch club (as usually the food is delicious).
But by the time I leave, things are well underway. Some of the women in this class are very skilled and quick embroiderers.

 We have a discussion about the fish motif that people are working. It was designed by Hannah and chosen as it has significance in Christianity (as a symbol of Christ) and in cultures in south Asia.
Meherun points out that it is always first on the menu at weddings in Bangladesh - an indication of good things to follow (on the table and in the marriage, presumably).
The idea of these classes is that women of different faiths make new friendships via the shared interest of embroidery. By the way - men are not allowed in the AWRC.

Stitch Brent - next stop for our embroidery classes

The Stitch Roadshow moves across London - north west to Harlesden. We'll be running a ten-week course this autumn at the Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC). These classes - based on our new embroidery packs - will be free and open to all.  They'll start on 23 September and run from 11am to 1pm every Thursday after that until 25th November. With Royal School of Needlework tutors (who will attend four sessions) We'll study surface stitches, goldwork, crewelwork and blackwork. Materials will be provided free and background information about the motifs (inspired by western and Islamic traditions) will - we hope - spark interesting debate. One of the best things about these classes, undoubtedly (I've eaten at the AWRC before!), will be the Lunch Club. A limited number of creche places will also be available.

We have 20 places and I imagine that they will be booked up quite quickly. Please email me on info@bridging-arts.com as soon as possible to book yours. If you'd like to volunteer to help with this course (and we would be very grateful for your help), please email me too.
This course is funded by Faiths in Action, a grants programme open to faith, inter-faith, voluntary and community sector organisations sponsored by Communities and Local Government.

Old friends at a House of Commons reception

En route through the Great Hall in the Houses of Parliament (the only place you are allowed to take pictures) to a reception marking the 30th anniversary of the Asian Women's Resource Centre. I had always thought it was a fantastic organisation but had not quite realised just how extraordinary. Five women were given rewards at the reception (hosted by Brent  MP Sarah Teather) for overcoming truly shocking personal circumstances involving physical and sexual abuse.
It was good to see old friends who had taken part in A Stitch in Time. Also Meherun Ahmed who runs the AWRC. We have a funding application to Faiths in Action to run needlework classes in Harlesden and Harrow with the Royal School of Needlework, hosted by the AWRC. Fingers crossed.