Stitches of Love - Llantilio Pertholey
Despite a national survey which showed that knitting is a dying art practised by around 40 per cent of those interviewed, needles have been clicking busily at one Abergavenny primary school.
Llantilio Pertholey Church in Wales School has a knitting club for Year 6 pupils, and even some of the boys are having a go at mastering the needles. But the club, formed by Year 6 teacher Mrs Tracey Pugh, has a definite mission – the children are knitting squares which are being sewn into blankets for African babies.
Mrs Joan Smith, a retired teacher who now works one day a week as the school's librarian, has been helping the charity Medical Missionary News for many years. The charity sends delivery packs to Chavuma Mission in Zambia so mothers who give birth at the 120-bed hospital take home a knitted or crocheted blanket, nappy, knitted vest and a small soft toy. The blankets which the pupils at Llantilio school helped to create will go to the hospital. At school assembly Mrs Smith explained what happens and thanked the knitters for their contributions.
Helping run the club are grandmothers Carol Howells and Marie Jones, and mum Julia Jones. Knitting away in the background to help the children are friends of the school Roe Bissett, Mo Eccles and Brenda Mullinder. Members of St Teilo's Church, Llantilio Pertholey, have contributed wool and needles to the children, and Mrs Mary Craig and Mrs Diane Moreton have donated many blankets.
Lesley Flynn