‘Crafty’ ladies looking for somewhere to grow

Each week a group of ladies get together in Narrabri to knit, crochet, sew and chat.

The Creative Craft Group is a fairly informal gathering but plays an important role in the lives of the its members.

“Some people are lonely and a bit isolated” said a founder of the group Betty Laird.

“We all just get together and really enjoy it. They would not miss their day with the others.

“The group is largely a social one, but we make and donate items to local charities.

“We have donated three knitted throw rugs to the Smith Family, and others to local charities.”

Group members have access to the skills of others in knitting and craft, crochet, patchwork sewing and embroidery.

“They look forward to the weekly Friday get together – it’s a popular gathering,” said Mrs Laird.

“At the moment we have about 14 ladies coming along, but we actually have a waiting list – we just don’t have the room for more at the moment.

“We have a waiting list of about eight interested people from centres across the shire.

“Our ‘members’, and potential members when we ultimately get more space, come from Narrabri, Wee Waa, Boggabri and the district.

“The group evolved when Helen Smith operated her Maitland Street fabric shop. We were meeting in the back of the shop and after it closed we decided we couldn’t just let the group disappear.

“It was like a ‘ladies’ men’s shed’ as one put it.”