Many guests joined members of SI Cannock at their September speaker meeting, one of those guests being David Clay who had been invited along to celebrate his retirement as Restaurant Manager of The Barns. President Lynne Tuckley described David as “our honorary Soroptimister!” David had hosted our meetings and greeted everyone by name and with their favourite drink for the last 10 years. His presence had provided a warm and efficient welcome that will be greatly missed. He lit the Friendship Candle and told everyone how much he appreciated their friendship over the years and their good wishes on his retirement.
The speaker was Cannock artist and embroiderer Sylvia Everitt who spoke about and showed slides of her Cannock Millennium Embroideries. She explained that The Bayeux Tapestry was the inspiration for her 11 panels depicting the main historical events, products, people and properties of Staffordshire of the last millennium: 1000AD to 2000AD.
She had painstakingly researched her material: interviewing members of the nobility such as the Gifford’s of Chillington Hall and Lady Bagot of Blithfield Hall for the achievements of their ancestors, in order to plan, design and produce the panels of intricate embroidery, quilting, padding, braiding, stump work and appliqué.
It took 5½ years to work the embroideries each containing a century of achievements, which have been exhibited around the country and now reside at Lichfield Heritage Centre, a Millennium gift to Staffordshire. She showed many slides of the Millennium embroideries and also brought along two magnificent embroideries she had completed of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Sylvia’s presentation reflected her enthusiasm and dedication and was much appreciated by Soroptimist members and their guests.
More information about SI Cannock & District is available on www.sigbi.org/cannock-and-district or on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SICannock
Photos attached: l to r: Sylvia Everitt and Lynne Tuckley, President SI & District with Sylvia’s embroidery of Henry VIII