Spinning Yarn: Tamar Valley Connection

Glenda Burrows and the Tamar Valley Spinners were quite taken with the adventure and excitement of me travelling South for spinning and though they could not accompany me on the voyage, the next best thing was to accompany me in Spirit and in Tops.... Tops being the already washed, combed and carded fibre, free from any contaminating factors and suitable for Antarctica.

Combining a large handful or two of different species with handfuls of varying colours of fibre from each person, we employed the Drum Carder to thoroughly mix and churn the assortment into some kind of order.

Knowing that luggage space was at a premium, the aim was to create a batt small enough to be carried yet representative of all the good wishes, hopes and dreams of the contributing spinners.

The resultant Batt was christened "Antarctic Sunrise" and carried to the Southern Ocean where it duly appeared on deck for me to spin, at the appropriate time.

I think the colours are pretty realistic, don't you?

Thank you to all the Tamar Valley contributors: Glenda Burrows, Blanche Bejah, Lynne Heathcote, Barbara Hogben, Di Kearney, Judy Dalton, Eileen Harris, Sue Jansen, Isabella Burnes, Angela Fox, Prue Wright, Ruth Johanson, Dean Rivett.