500th Issue of the Guild News
As we approach our 60th anniversary it is not surprising that we should also have arrived at this milestone. Ten or eleven issues a year for 60 years adds up. Copies of all our Guild News' and Journals are stored in the reference cupboard in the Library. They are an incredible source of information and history.
The first issue was named the Quarterly News of the Handweavers' and Spinners' Guild of NSW. Volume 1, Number 1 was published in August 1949. The President was Professor H Priestly and the editor did not include her/his name but included an address in Lane Cove. Prof Priestly wrote:
"Most people probably have, in some measure, the desire to make things, to create something. One of the ways in which this desire may make itself manifest is hand weaving. Weaving is almost the oldest of human arts, so old that there is little difference in fundamentals in all parts of the world. Before the introduction of power weaving, hand looms were necessary for the making of fabrics for all purposes and weaving was essentially a home industry. With the introdution of power weaving, hand loom weaving largely disappeared except in certain peasant communities.During the past few years in Europe and America and more recently in Australia, there has been a recrudescence of interest in hand weaving and now very large numbers of men and women gain much interest and enjoyment from the making of various fabrics on hand looms. Hand weaving is a fascinating hobby; the combinations of different colours, of different fibres and the production of patterns all play their part in keeping the weaver interested.
This little periodical is intended primarily for the members of the Handweavers' and Spinners' Guild of NSW to keep them in touch with Guild affairs and to bring new ideas to members. No matter how skilled a weaver may be, he or she can always learn something from other weavers and from workers in other fields impinging on certain aspects of weaving. It is intended to publish articles on new methods of weaving, for, in spite of the antiquity of weaving, new ways of getting desired results can still be found. Articles on colour and colour combinations, the source and preparation of fibres suitable for weaving, home spinning and home dyeing are just some of the subjects which will be treated.
As President of the Guild it is my pleasure to launch this little periodical on its way and hope that it and the Guild may have a long, useful and interesting life."
The first issue included the names of foundation members, an artilce about the possiblities of hand weaving, a request for a Guild insignia, a report of a talk about pick up weaves given by Miss G W Barnes on June 5, 1949 and the announcement of an exhibition of members' hand weaving and spinning at the CNEF Memorial Centre, Castlereagh Street in October. There was also half a page of equipment and yarn advertisements at a penny a word for members and double that rate for non members.
By the 100th issue the Journal had been inaugurated and the Guild News was the monthly newsletter of the Guild while more detailed articles were published in the Journal. This year's Journal will be Volume 59. The 100th Guild News came out in May 1969. J. Harrison was President. The Guild met at the YWCA in Liverpool Street and Ross Griffith was to be the next speaker. [His wife, Pamela Griffith gave us a very interesting talk about her print making methods and a design exercise last year.] They were busy planning an exhibition for the James Cook Bicentennial the following year.
Bertha-Ann Bochman was President and Anne Hart was editor when the 200th issue was published in Feb 1979. By then the meetings were held at the Darlinghurst Public School hall, Potts Point. That issue announced the AGM when they had a vote for president as there were two candidates but the committee was to be declared elected because there were fewer nominees than positions! The issue included 5 pages of large advertisements by local yarn shops and equipment suppliers. A Loomcraft School was being organised.
Helen Halpin was the editor of the 300th issue in March 1988. Hazel Meigan was President and the Guild met at St Pauls. Two workshops were announced: a 3-day fleece weaving workshop with Anne Field and a 2-day spinning workshop with Eve Rashleigh to make chains, cables and other fancies.
The 400th issue, April 1997 was a bumper issue because it included 9 pages of the Fibre to Fabric 50th Anniversary exhibition entry forms, instructions and plans plus 5 pages of Loomcraft '97 information and workshop choices. Audrey Miller the President and Peta Andersen was the editor that year.