April 2023 Letter from Chair, Anne

My crab apple and blackthorn are blooming, as is my pink camelia and white star magnolia,  and there are honey bees on the heather.

 Spring is here!

I really enjoyed our outing to Donegal.  The company was great, the retail therapy refreshing, the scenery was superb and even the weather was kind.  Many thanks to Mary Crickard for such a great day.  Perhaps someone will come up with another adventure for next year.

April 7^th  is the hand in deadline for `A Walk in the Park` exhibition. ( Quilts can be brought to the 1^st April guild meeting or deliver to me at my home, just email me for directions. (anhardcastle@hotmail.co.uk)

I foolishly forgot to ask for a show of hands of possible exhibitors and I am becoming greatly concerned about how many ( or how few) quilts there might be. So, if you have nearly finished yours, please persevere because` your guild needs you`.

I have just found out that the `A Walk in the Park` exhibition will be shown at the Quilt Fayre, Stormont Hotel ( 7,8,9, September) as part of the Irish Patchwork Society stand, so it would be nice to have a good show ( there is still time!!)

Before Covid, a sub-committee was reviewing the NIPG constitution. Debbie Bailie has asked to step down as president and now a question has arisen.  Does NIPG need to have the position of president?  Please think about this issue because I will ask for a show of hands from the members before we continue with the constitution review.

Our next meeting is on Saturday 1^st April in the Parochial Hall at the Folk museum.

We will be welcoming Joy Harber ( Salvage) from the Cotswolds.

Joy was originally booked for 2020, then re-booked for May which became Coronation Day, so I am really looking forward to seeing her work and hearing her talk on the topic `My Obsession with Log Cabin` 

Please remember that there is no NIPG meeting in May 

The next meeting will be the AGM on 3^rd June and we are still `desperately seeking` volunteers for the posts of speaker/ programme secretary, librarians and chair.

Looking forward to seeing you on 1^st April, or if not, may I wish you a Happy Easter with as much chocolate as you would wish for……

Anne Hardcastle