MIRIAM Gibbons welcomed members and visitors to the February guild meeting.

She gave a reminder for the forthcoming felt animal workshop and thanked members who had completed her hat challenge well in advance of the June deadline.

A selection of hats was on display, together with other completed work by members, including a selection of hand-painted kimonos made by Brigitta Shuker.

Miriam then introduced the guest speaker, Lilian Taylor who gave a lively and interesting talk, passing her work round for close inspection.

Lilian began her career in dress design. However, after marriage and children, she decided upon a change of direction, taking a degree at Manchester Metropolitan University and graduating with a first class honours degree.

She is a member of 10 Plus Textiles and is currently working on three-pieces for an exhibition.

She is also involved in teaching, leading workshops and working on projects with charitable organisations, not to mention exhibiting at trade shows and galleries.

Her work is contemporary and often not without humour.

She uses natural fabrics and threads and recycled materials in her work.

To the more fainthearted among us she asserts that ‘one needs the freedom to make mistakes; that after all, the offending piece can always be ripped up.’ The next meeting will be on March 21, when the guest speaker will be Katie Chaplin on the subject of the kimono.

New members and visitors are very welcome.

Please call Miriam on 815646 or Lyn on 819314.