St George's Day Celebrations

Talking Textiles

Although this might seem a little late, today I'd like to tell you about our St Georges Celebrations. You might think that has nothing to do with textiles but I will come on to that in a minute so please bear with me.
There was nothing arranged in our part of the world so we headed off to a little town called Barnoldwick where I went to school a very long time ago. They were having a little event and we wanted to be part of it. As well as all the obligatory bunting, there was a little fairground for the children, several stalls and some entertainment laid on for everyone. We had a little look around the town shops, had a little bite to eat and went to listen to the brass band playing in the square. They were surprisingly good and we enjoyed a relaxing little concert.

The entertainment that followed was quite unusual. There were a group who dress up like soldiers and their wives from the civil war. They re -enact  loading and shooting their guns which was quite a performance and very loud. (So loud in fact, that a little child near us was quite traumatised)

What was much more interesting to me however, were the wives who were dressed beautifully and were engaged in some stick weaving.

I had a chat to them and found out they were making strips which would be sewn into blankets which are hard wearing for use in camping and the like. They could also be used for bag straps. I had a little personal demonstration and thought it looked quite easy but very effective.
I loved watching them weave, they looked so 'Little House on the Prairie' and I quite envied their weird but wonderful weekend lifestyle. They even drank water from a pot pitcher poured into glasses made from cow horns! I couldn't resist taking a picture of the little girl who they had with them. So cute in that costume- don't you think?

It was a great day and full of surprises. Thank you to St George! x