Newbury Bobtails was inaugurated on 24th January 1984. A group of lacemakers meeting in one of their homes decided to hold regular monthly meetings. Since then the group has met once a month on a Tuesday, making use of Zoom when we could not meet in person due to Covid-19.
The group adopted its name and logo because of the proximity of Watership Down, just south of Newbury.
We are an active and supportive group. Members have been involved in demonstrating in many places around the local area including Newbury Show and at exhibitions we have held at the museum and Town Hall to celebrate anniversaries of the group. Bobtails’ members made a jabot and cuffs for Newbury’s mayor, and pictures for the Town Hall and the Rosemary wing of West Berkshire Hospital.
The group holds two lace days each year, in March and October, with suppliers and usually an exhibition of members’ lace. The raffles held at lace days have supported many local charities. Members have taken part in workshops to learn new techniques and have also visited Bruges three times.
Newbury Bobtails hope to enjoy many more years of fun, friendship and lacemaking.
If you are interested in joining Newbury Bobtails, or would like to come along to one of our meetings to see if lacemaking is for you, please email secretary@newburybobtails.org
