Arthur Miller with his award-winning model of Rookhow. Photo: Photo reproduced with permission of Sue Nicholls, and Arthur’s parents.
Eye - 03 January 2025
Eye hears how sewing has been a constant thread, and a model Meeting earns a young Friend an award in Kendal
A model Meeting
A young Friend’s model-making ability has captured a historic Meeting house, and earned him an award!
Sue Nicholls, Rookhow development manager, recently shared that nine-year-old Arthur Miller (pictured above), of Kendal Meeting, crafted a model of Rookhow – which went on to win second prize in the Westmorland and Furness young builders’ competition. Congratulations Arthur!
Sue explained: ‘Participants were asked to make a model of their favourite local building and describe why they liked it. Arthur, who has been coming on the Quaker families weekends since he was a toddler, wrote: “Next year Rookhow will be 300 years old. I like it because it is a meeting place for anyone, any age to meet together. I like the woods because it is a place of wonder. It is a special place to me.”
‘The competition judges felt it was a very charming construction and a wonderful description of why [Arthur loves] the building.’
Rookhow Meeting House and bunk barn, which sleeps sixteen, is nestled in woodlands in the Lake District. It is open to the public on the first and third Fridays of each month, during which a half hour Meeting for Worship is held.
A constant thread
Shirley McCaw’s delight in sewing (22 November) inspired Scottish Friend Alison Burnley to pick up her pen and share ‘My life with needles’ with Eye’s creatively-inclined readers.
She set the scene: ‘Somehow, someone was always sewing – making or mending. And so I learnt to sew – we did make things at school – not magnificent, but bearable/wearable.
‘For my twenty-first birthday I was given a sewing machine by my favourite uncle. I did make some clothes – not many and none with sleeves! I also did cross stitch.’
Alison was plateauing with her hobby, when a fateful encounter with a Friend changed everything: ‘I was on the edge of boredom with sewing and at one General Meeting Christine Davis gave me a piece of paper and said firmly – “Sign here, Alison!”
‘I meekly did as I was bid and joined the Quaker Tapestry team, magic! My life grew more interesting, wider with more depth.
‘Christine made sure that I was appointed to the committee representing Friends in Scotland. I learnt the Quaker Stitch, a new stitch which is good for lettering.’
The Tapestry stretched more than just her sewing skills: ‘Christine and I drove around Scotland to visit Friends who wished to be involved in the two panels we made – Oaths and Publishers of Truth.
‘Then the Church of Scotland Guild heard about us and we were asked to give talks about Quakerism using the Tapestry to illustrate it. Christine initially did the speaking – then after her death I was still getting requests and so I gulped but, using what I had learnt, I did it.’
Sewing still brings Alison joy, and unexpected connections: ‘I joined a quilting group that met at Glenthorne for the inside of a week. So now I quilt – quilts for grandchildren and quilts for newborn babies. I have a huge wardrobe of scraps and large pieces. I sew and listen to the radio or just sew! It gives me great joy and is creative.
‘I have made three patchwork jackets… one is bright and cheerful. People pass me and say “I love your jacket” – which gives me great pleasure.
‘Last summer I was wearing my pink/purple jacket and [met] a woman going the other way wearing a jacket with material of spring flowers – we both stopped, looked at each other and said in unison “I do not wish to be missed” and we went on our way rejoicing.’
Calling Friends of all ages!
Whether you’re two or 102, we welcome contributions from Quakers of all ages! Friends, Meetings, Children’s Meetings… show us what you’ve been up to!
