I’m a little bit later than usual with the newsletter to be able to show you the results of what we’ve been up to in preparation for the Tour de Yorkshire, and also because we’ve been very, very busy! I think pictures tell the best story.

 

With financial support from the Selby District Council Community Engagement Forum we’ve:

• decorated businesses, street furniture, homes and even the bus station in over a mile of little bunting made mainly from recycled sheets and duvet covers
• engaged various schools and community groups in decorating big bunting flags
• painted lots of old bikes
• bought enough bunting to go all the way across the main streets
• made a banner for the church
• made giant bunting for the viaduct

With financial support from Without Walls and Welcome to Yorkshire we’ve also

• held workshops to decorate bikes for the parade on the 29th
• painted the riverbank

 

We couldn’t have done any of it without the support and encouragement from Tadcrafters, local businesses and the general public of Tadcaster (and some long-suffering other halves), so please accept a huge “Thank you “ to all who took part in any way.

Please come along and enjoy the Tour and the Tadcaster Cycling Festival on Saturday 29th, and make sure you visit the Tadcrafters stall. You can still bring some tombola prizes if you have them.

 

After theTour de Yorkshire

After a long lie down in a darkened room, we are planning on reusing as much of the bunting as possible after the big event.  Some fabric will be ideal for the Days for Girls project, we’ve had a request for lots of sewn bunting (already made mainly from recycled sheets) to go to decorate 16 schools in India, and the knitted bunting will be made into twiddlemuffs which York Hospital are looking forward to receiving.  If you see or have any of the knitted bunting after the event please bring to the drop-in sessions where we will transform it.

 

Days for Girls

In October there will be an event in the Minster that school children can take part in and learn how to make the kits themselves.  Days for Girls workshop dates are on the calendar (see below).  These are usually on Saturday mornings 9.30am-12pm. To confirm details contact the organiser, Issy Sanderson issyarts2@gmail.com.  More information about the international charity is available from www.daysforgirls.org

Distribution

More twiddlemuffs were delivered to York Hospital this month to help with the launch of their dementia campaign. We will be sending many more soon.

 

Smalls For All

We are still collecting “gently worn” bras and new pants.  The wearing of underwear is a status symbol for women in many countries, which means that your old underwear can make women less prone to be taken advantage of. For more information visit http://www.smallsforall.org/

 

Next Projects

We’re going to investigate knitted knockers to give to the LGI. If anyone would like to trial some patterns to work out which is best please have a go and feed back to the group. Look at information and patterns on https://www.knittedknockers.org/

Wish list and current projects

Here is a list of current projects and where to get more information about them/ patterns. Not everyone is able to make the drop-in sessions, so if you would like to join in by making at home or with your friends/club that’s absolutely fine.

 

Knitting/crochet

• Twiddlemuffs http://www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/docs/trust/pr/2015/Twiddlemuffs_Instructions_24-01-15.pdf, http://www.sath.nhs.uk/twiddlemuffs/HowTo.aspx
• Knitted Knockers https://www.knittedknockers.org/

Sewing

• Days for Girls You will need to attend a session to be given materials and templates etc but you can work at home afterwards to support

Other

• Cutting out and non-sewing tasks (instructions at the drop-in sessions)
• Donate crafty items for tombola and other fundraising
• Collect/donate knitting needles (especially 4mm)
• Learn to sew/ knit
• Collect items for donation including bras for http://www.smallsforall.org/
• Plan a demonstration or easy project that you could share with others
• Contribute your own ideas for what to make or where to donate
• Advertise the work of Tadcrafters to people who would benefit from donations
• Encourage people to join in, especially people who might like to learn new skills or just want to socialise.

If you would like to be put on the mailing list or would like to join in the Tadcrafters activities (wherever you live) please contact tadcrafters@outlook.com.  or you can join the Tadcrafters facebook page and chat on the facebook group or follow us on Twitter for more information.

*Evening sessions are sometimes quiet but we are keen to make Tadcrafters accessible to people who are busy during the day. If you would like to join a drop-in session after 5pm please contact tadcrafters@outlook.com the day before so that we know to expect you.

# Please contact Issy Sanderson if you wish to attend DfG sessions on issyarts2@gmail.com

 

Calendar

Date	Event	Time	Location
Saturday 29th April	Tour de Yorkshire	All day	Tadcaster
Tuesday 9th May	Drop-in session	10am- 8pm*	Social Club
Saturday 20th May	Days for Girls#	9.30am-12pm	All Saints Hall, Upper Poppleton
Tuesday 13th June	Drop-in session	10am- 8pm*	Social Club
Saturday 17th June	Days for Girls#	9.30am-12pm	Methodist Hall, Copmanthorpe (TBC)
Tuesday 11th July	Drop-in session	10am- 8pm*	Social Club
Saturday 15th July	Days for Girls#	9.30am-12pm	All Saints Hall, Upper Poppleton
Tuesday 8th August	Drop-in session	10am- 8pm*	Social Club
Tuesday 12th September	Drop-in session	10am- 8pm*	Social Club
Saturday 16th September	Days for Girls#	9.30am-12pm	All Saints Hall, Upper Poppleton
Tuesday 10th October	Drop-in session	10am- 8pm*	Social Club
Wednesday 11th October	Days For Girls#	TBC	York Minster