April Blooms - Out and About on the Grange

There have been some gorgeous blooms

in gardens and pathways in 

our postcode area this April.

Artist Phiona Richards paid another 

Threads and Chatter visit to KBA

creating books from recycled papers

and demonstrating how to make an origami butterfly

you can see a slightly longer clip here 

and more photos here

Carole Miles joined the gang at The Resource Centre

for some knitting and nattering - rumour has it Carole

was cutting out fabric to up-cycle at The Green Patch

Open day whilst there

she managed to snap a rare red lurex hedgehog.

Meanwhile down at The Green Patch 

baking was taking place

the children made Rhubarb crumble - yum!

They have also been adding to 

their View From Here books.

We can't believe just how fast the year is rushing past.

For more of the flavour of April out in our postcode area

follow this link and see what has been in bloom this spring.

Preparing For World Book Night at KBA & The Green Patch

Inspired by the lovely World Book Night Book Wrap we have been using recycled materials to create our own wraps for the World Book Night event. We have held printing sessions lead by artist Carole Miles at The Kettering Buccleuch Academy and The Green Patch, we are very excited about how our wraps are taking shape!

We used foam packaging material as printing blocks

and painted textile inks onto them with sponge brushes.

We pressed the blocks onto the fabric 

to create bookshelf inspired patterns.

At KBA, whilst the work was drying

participants had a go at simple screen printing

Block printing again

at The Green Patch.

Margot, one of our volunteers

then used textile stamps

to print 

We will sew a pocket into one end to house the book and then wrap and tie the fabric around them. You can see the complete set of images here

If you live in the Avondale Grange ward, particularly in Margaret Rd, Cora Rd, Doris Rd, Edith Rd, Judith Rd, Dorothy Rd, Naseby Rd, Jean Rd, Stamford Rd, Lime Rd, Gorse Rd, Ivy Rd, Centre Parade, Heather Rd, Aster Rd, Almond Rd, Dahlia Rd, Weekly Glebe Rd and would like one of the books we have to give out please contact us.

If you would like to join a small, creative, friendly group to make a mosaic for the Green Patch, write a poem, learn a craft, have a coffee, make new friends?  Then contact :-

Carole Miles, 

Back To Books      

0796 - 905 0891

email – Fingerprints07@hotmail.co.uk

Carole can also be found in The Mollie - our project base / studio / caravan on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

If you attend KBA and would like to become involved in our Threads and Chatter sessions our next session will take place at 3.15 on March 18th. For more information please contact Mr Rob Walker at The Kettering Buccleuch Academy @kba_community

Country Churches Reprise

On a recent trip to Derbyshire Carole Miles and Andrew Rushton had the pleasure of exploring St Oswald Church in Ashbourne and only after their return to Northamptonshire did they realise that it was one of the churches recommended by Simon Jenkins in Country Churches, one of April's book choices. The building is imposing and rather disturbing from the outside, features like the clock are set to one side rather than centrally, life and death press for your attention from the moment you enter the gates. Elegant headstones rest amongst a sea of waving bluebells, buttercups, daffodils and long grasses. Jenkins says that it was a church for "the clergy and the gentry" and George Elliot said it was 'the finest mere parish church in the kingdom'. Jenkins goes on to say that "The interior is as eccentric as the exterior. No corner is without interest" and he is absolutely right, decorated ceramic tiles, tombs, painted ceilings, stained glass and green men jostle for attention and the interior offers a clearer view of the pink limestone. It is easy to loose yourself in the space and the detail and very well worth a visit.

St Oswald, Ashbourne Derbyshire Flickr Set

Why not join us for the May Book Talk

From 12.00pm - 1-00pm

Meriel White will be discussing 

The Pleasure of English Food - Alan Davidson

“Stargazey pie, Cheshire cheese, toffee apples, fish and chips, Sussex pond pudding, Cumberland sausages, pasties, gingerbread, dumplings and Cox's orange pippins are just some of the edible delights in this glorious celebration of English food from across the country and its history. From the etiquette of afternoon tea to the origins of mince pies, from the best way to eat a Stilton to how to cook a proper Yorkshire pudding, here are both well-loved favourites and unsung heroes from the nation's mouth-watering culinary heritage.” Penguin Books

Some Country Houses and their Owners - James Lees-Milne

“During the 1930s and 1940s, a charming, clever and sharply observant young man named James Lees-Milne visited the owners of country houses all over England with a view to persuading them to hand over their properties for preservation by the National Trust.  His famous diaries of these travels, first published in the 1970s, are both uproariously funny, as he describes the owners' eccentricities, and deeply poignant, as he depicts a world and way of life which are coming to an end. “ Penguin Books

You might like to bring coffee and cake! There are copies of the books available please contact Carole Miles emshape.carole@virgin.net

Directions to the meeting point - Approaching from the A14 -Turn off at Junction 2 and head north on the A508 towards Market Harborough, shortly after the entrance to Kelmarsh Hall the road descends and reaches a left hand bend, take the turning right on the apex of thisbend signposted "Arthingworth 1 1/2"

Carry on along this road until you reach the first farm on your left alongside the bridge over the road. Immediately after the bridge turn left onto the Car Park/Picnic area.

For those approaching from the north on the A508 the Arthingworth turn is at the end of the long straight after you have passed the left and right lay-by's. 

If you are joining us please tick the Book Talk slot at the Doodle Link here