Tower and Town, August 2024 (view the full edition)A Continuouse ThreadEnid Peck (nee Baker) was born in West Lavington and moved to Marlborough in 1963 when she married Lionel. Like so many women of her time, Enid made her own wedding dress as her grandmother had taught her to sew. As well as bringing up three wonderful sons, Richard, John and Matthew, she and Lionel ran Pecks School of Motoring. Enid has lived in Elcot Lane for 60 years. During the 1970s, being the wonderful homemaker she was, Enid decided to recover the sofa! She enrolled for the Soft Furnishings and Upholstery Class 1 in Silverless Street, one of numerous adult education courses available within WCC. She enjoyed the class very much and attended for many years. During the mid '80s her teacher, Shirley Wright, suggested that Enid take the City and Guilds exams in order that she may then go on to take the class. Thankfully Enid did. From 1992 until 2004, Enid used a mobile classroom at St John's School, Stedman, where she took weekly day and evening classes and often all-day Saturday classes too - to the delight of many. In 2004 Enid broke away from what was then the Swindon College Adult Education programme and branched out on her own to Minal Village Hall where many of her upholstery and stitching groupies followed her. Over the years Enid has supported many ladies and men from Marlborough and the surrounding villages with innumerable projects. Upholstery and soft furnishings include items of all shapes and sizes: from chairs to chaise lounges; footstools to headboards and of course curtains, cushions and blinds - from Austria to Rome! Whatever the project, Enid's expert knowledge and traditional upholstery skills have helped to transform, remake and reshape. In 2014 Enid started sewing the thread for her replacement and suggested to Claire Rumbold that she take over the class. Claire studied Art Illustration at Falmouth School of Art and since 1992 attended Enid's classes learning traditional upholstery and sewing skills. Succession planning at its best!  One doesn't have to be a sewer to attend the class. It's about having a go and having fun! Enid and now Claire (photo by Helen Llewellyn) guide and support to make and create, recycle and restore to make lovely things for your home to make your home lovely! Claire holds two classes a week at Mildenhall Village Hall on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9.30 -12.30pm. If you would like to have a go, meet new friends in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, email: clairerumbold@btinternet.com P.S. Enid still attends the class. How fortunate we are to have such knowledge and skills being shared and passed down. A continuous thread indeed! Elaine Quinn |