Cosgrove Guild

The Guild was formed in 1986, predominantly as a social group who raised funds for different village projects. In due course this became known as the Church Guild – although not started by the Church.

Old Mail March 1986

As plans are made to renovate and decorate our Church in Cosgrove, the newly formed Guild is already busily at work on its first project – to provide the Church with a set of beautiful tapestry kneelers by the time the redecoration is completed. The Guild plans to meet once a month in homes around the village. These meetings will be social get togethers with tea and light refreshments provided by the hostess (20p per head). They may include whist drives and other social functions but a few moments will be set aside at each meeting to hand out and collect work, subscriptions and donations and talk about further social events and work needs.

The Guild needs           

Volunteers to embroider the cross stitch kneelers

Donors who would like to donate a sum towards a personalised kneeler in memory of a dear one or to commemorate a special family event.

Each kneeler costs £10 and donors will be invited to choose their own design from a coloured brochure and give their chosen inscription. They may then take the kneeler away to stitch at home or hand it over to a volunteer to make it for them. There is a label provided to be attached to the back of the kneeler giving the name of the donor, the maker and the name of the person to whom it is dedicated.

Hostesses to invite the Guild to hold a social afternoon or evening in their home and donate any proceeds to the Kneeler Fund.

The next meeting of the Guild will be held at Greystones (next to the bus shelter) on 2.30pm on 3rd March. All are welcome to come along for a chat and tea, to see the work being done and to join in the Bring and Buy in aid of the Fund.

Old Mail February 1991 - the Guild were meeting in the Mansel Room in the church

The Guild has decided upon two Lent projects. The first is to provide Willen Hospice with an Easter present of some much needed Knitted Blankets.

Anyone can help – just get a pair of no 9 knitting needles and some odd double knitting wool, cast on 20 stitches and knit 40 rows in plain knitting. Cast off, then “cast around” for some more double knitting wool and make another square.

All contributions of knitted squares or wool remnants to Mrs Olive Lambert (8 Manor Close).

The second project will be our six Lent Lunches in aid of the Church of England Children’s Society. This year a lunch will cost £1.20 per person and includes a bowl of tasty soup, a roll and butter with cheese and a cup of tea. Last year we donated Eighty Pounds to the charity. Do come along (Ladies and Gentlemen) and help us to send an even larger cheque this year.

By its tenth anniversary the Church Guild AGM was starting with a prayer! Betty Brassett was Chairperson and listed some of their achievements :

·         Church Kneeler project

·         Pew Cushions

·         Lent lunches

·         Craft stalls

Future projects were a picture of the Last Supper to be stitched by Molly Kightley, a double wedding kneeler and a gorgeous altar frontal worked by Brenda Clarke.
In the millennium year, 2000, the Guild was reporting Lent Lunches, outings, table top sales, a book sale, and coffee mornings. They were meeting in the new Upper Room of the Church – although some members found the stairs trying. They provided small items of church needlework, money towards new church chairs and donations to set up a concert.

The last report from the Guild appeared in the Old Mail of April 2004. Hannah Lenz reported that owing to dwindling numbers due to age, illness or members moving away and poor uptake from younger people, the Guild would close, the last meeting being 10th March 2004.