From left are, back - Barbara Newton, Doreen Morton, Rhonda Redenbach, Joy McWhirter, Gail Hall, Margaret Tanner, Rosemary Mitchell, Di Coker, Bev Dawson; seated - Janice Tanswell, Carol Southwell, Pauline Nicholson, Pat Drabsch, Ruth Simpson, Isobel Littlewood, May Woods, Joy Martin, Brooke Daniels, Norma Rorke, Estelle Regan, Ericka Frame and Margaret Bell.
At a public meeting in April, 1974, a decision was made to open a Craft Shop and Gallery to showcase the talents of local crafts men and women and provide an outlet for their work.
On June 14, 1974, Mayor Jack Scoble officially opened Craft Corner operated by Parkes Combined Crafts Group, in premises shared with the Motor Museum, on the corner of Bogan and Dalton Streets.
With the development of that intersection, Craft Corner relocated to the former TAB in Dalton Street.
The new, bright and inviting shop was officially opened by Mayor Robert Wilson, on Friday, October 29, 2004.
Craft Corner continues to function successfully with a wide range of quality crafts including gifts for the family, knitwear for the family, babywear, educational toys, jams and pickles, rugs and novelties for special occasions.
Membership is currently approximately 60 and includes a former resident who continues to send her work to be sold here because Craft Corner is ‘unique’!
There are two new ‘woodies’ – one from Oberon and another local.
Of special interest are monthly exhibitions.
They feature the talents of members as well as representatives from the wider community.
A retrospective of the work of the late Elsie Chapman, was hugely successful.
Ben Lam’s toys are featured in August and Parkes Potters have their annual exhibition in September.
The ABC ‘Wrap with Love’ program, which the group have supported for five years, is a favourite!
Recently 35 or so members and friends enjoyed a morning of knitting (and nattering) and completing rugs for the needy worldwide.
Our special guest, Brooke Daniels, from ABC Radio, returned to Orange with her car almost bulging with 19 completed rugs, and many bags stuffed with 25cm squares to be assembled at Working Bees in the city.
We are grateful to those who quite anonymously left completed rugs, squares and 8ply yarn at Craft Corner for this project.
Already we have friends working towards 2013!
Craft Corner is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm and on Saturday from 9.30am to 2pm.
Groups are invited to arrange special times by calling President Judy 6862 1062, Secretary Margaret 6862 3240 or Treasurer Bev 6862 3271.
ABC Radio personality, Brooke Daniels visited the Parkes Knitters and Natters group to pick up wool squares for the Wrap With Love program. Brooke is pictured centre with members of the group. From left are, back - Barbara Newton, Doreen Morton, Rhonda Redenbach, Joy McWhirter, Gail Hall, Margaret Tanner, Rosemary Mitchell, Di Coker, Bev Dawson; seated - Janice Tanswell, Carol Southwell, Pauline Nicholson, Pat Drabsch, Ruth Simpson, Isobel Littlewood, May Woods, Joy Martin, Brooke Daniels, Norma Rorke, Estelle Regan, Ericka Frame and Margaret Bell.