Spinning group holds worldwide weaving web

Castletown Spinning Group hosted a unique live link when weavers from all seven continents took part in a project which is believed to be the first of its kind.

After the success of a live link-up event with spinners on the Falkland Islands, founding member Ann Johnson decided to up the ante and organise live broadcasts across the globe.

Groups from Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and Antarctica took part in the global challenge which each saw them make sections for cushions.

Each group will send their section to other weavers which took part in the challenge to go towards making a truly international cushion as a reminder of the project.

Mrs Johnson said it was an overwhelming experience to have groups from every corner in the world being broadcast live into Castletown.

“It was a day to remember for everyone who was involved,” she said.

“When I think back years ago to shepherds who supplied weavers with wool, it was humbling to think how far technology has moved on to allow a project like this to happen.”

The event began at Castlehill Heritage Centre with a traditional Scottish welcome when a piper welcomed in the first broadcast, Swapna Eleswarapu from India, followed by the Pretoria Weavers Guild Spinning Group and Wendy Freeke, of Cape Town in South Africa.

Next to join in the worldwide weaving celebration were Agnieszka Fryckowska and Christoph Larndorfer, from the Halley Research Station based in Antarctica.

In the afternoon, groups from Calgary in Canada and Indiana in the USA also joined the link-ups, followed by individuals from Brazil and Japan. At 6pm, a spinning group from New Zealand was the last to join the group to create a truly worldwide conference call, live on the big screen for all the spinners and the public to view.

During the Skype hook-ups, the participants discussed agricultural differences in wool production, wool garment design and the weather to ideas on how to beak away from the stereotype image of spinners being old ladies dressed in Victorian costumes.

Several children also took part in the link-up where they discussed their schools and learned about the way youngsters learn craft skills in countries on the opposite side of the globe.

At the end of the project, each participant gave a message to weavers around the world.

“The project was done in the true spirit of friendship,” said Mrs Johnson.

“We asked if they had a message for the rest of the world, when there were some lovely speeches made – it was a moving experience.”

Due to the success of the venture, several groups involved in the project are already holding early discussions about making it an annual event.

Castletown Spinning Group meets on the first Sunday of every month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and every third Thursday of each month from 7pm to 9pm.

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