Maureens Retirement

An aernoon tea party, at the end of March, celebrated the rerement of Maureen West from the Baldock Sewing Club.

The group wished to thank for the many years she had contributed to the club. Always a keen dressmaker Maureen decided, some sixty years ago, to pursue a qualificaon.

Having a young family, she made childcare arrangements and enrolled on a course at Luton College of Higher Educaon, now University of Bedfordshire. As a non-driver a bus journey was required which added to the me away from home.

Having qualified with a City and Guilds in Dressmaking she began teaching the subject. Inially evening classes for adults at Knights Templar school in Baldock, funded by Hitchin College. When funding ceased for classes deemed to be recreaonal, the class members decided they could fund it themselves. They formed a commiee and sought premises they could use during an aernoon. The Baldock Guide Headquarters proved to be an ideal venue, where they sll meet and the Guide Associaon also benefit from the rent.

Although some sll sew, the range of needle cras enjoyed by the group has broadened and includes, kning, crochet, embroidery, cross stch and of course no club meeng would be complete without tea, biscuits and chat.