8th October 2026
The county Project Linus UK representative, Samantha Gooderson, came to collect our Project Linus quilts. Members have spent the last year making, amongst other things, quilts to be donated to Project Linus UK. We were surprised to learn we had made a total of 108 quilts and 23 knitted/crocheted blankets. Some of the blankets were made by non-members and kindly donated. Many, many thanks, ladies.
SEPTEMBER 2026
Charlie and Amanda, representatives from Julia’s House, our chosen charity for last year, were presented with a cheque in the sum of £1,061. These funds were raised by the group at various times throughout the year, including a successful few days at Craft4Crafters at The Bath & West Showground last November.
Resuming our meetings after the very hot summer, the group were fortunate to have a whole day at the hall which was dedicated to producing Linus quilts from donated fabrics. The construction of these Linus quilts is ongoing and hopefully some will be completed by the time our Linus Representative comes to collect them next month.
25th JUNE 2026
Our last day before taking a break for the summer found some of our members participating in flower hammering. As the countrywide temperatures soared, the flower hammerers let off steam by bashing leaves, flowers and grasses brought from their own gardens.
After flower hammering, we had a delightful and extremely tasty afternoon tea, provided by the wonderful Mrs B’s Catering of Frome. Sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheese twists, crisps, mini pizzas, mini Victoria sponges and mini scones with jam and cream, all washed down with the mandatory cuppa. A super afternoon to round off our busy year.
Have a lovely summer ladies. See you in September.
FEBRUARY 2026
This month we were shown how to prepare Hawaiian blocks. Many ladies chose to use the needle turning method, and a couple of ladies chose to have a raw edge finish and appliquéd the cut outs onto the base fabric. However it was done, it certainly required careful cutting!
22nd JANUARY 2026
After the busy festive season, it was lovely for the group to get together for a delicious New Year’s Meal. It was held in Silton Hall and catered for by Mrs B’s Caring Catering of Frome. We had a two-course meal which was absolutely superb, backed up by everyone’s empty plates!
27th, 28th and 29th NOVEMBER 2025
Craft4Crafts and Stitching4All were at The Bath & West Showground over these three days. We were fortunate to have a well-placed stall together with a display area in which to show off our many, and varied, projects.
Our members had been busy making items to sell to raise funds for our nominated charity for this year, Julia’s House.
We also ran a workshop showing how to make a folded fabric poinsettia coaster. This proved popular, and not just for the ladies!
6th NOVEMBER 2025
We had a visit from Weldmar Hospice Care representative Eden, who provided us with an insight into the work the hospice does, not just for patients, but for their loved ones as well. Weldmar Hospice Care was our nominated charity last year, and, after raising money from the sale of items made by the group and a huge raffle of a generously donated quilt, we were delighted to hand Eden a Cheque in the sum of £1000.00. Well done, everyone!
23rd OCTOBER 2025
Samantha Gooderson, Area Co-Ordinator, from Project Linus UK, came to tell us more about Project Linus UK and what happens to the quilts we make for them. Group members have been making Project Linus quilts over the last 12 months. Samantha was delighted to receive 50 quilts from the group. If you would like to know more about Project Linus UK please visit www.projectlinusuk.org.uk
SEPTEMBER 2025
During the summer break, three Project Linus quilts were completed. These quilts were a group project using appliquéd blocks in fun and cheerful colours.
29th MAY 2025 – GUEST SPEAKER GAIL LAWTHER
We were lucky enough to have another guest speaker, Gail Lawther, bring a selection of her quilts to show us. She called the collection of quilts “Around the World”. This one is of a phoenix representing Egypt. Please also take a look at the Photo Gallery for a few more of Gail’s works.
27th FEBRUARY 2025 – GUEST SPEAKER ANN HIBBERD
Ann Hibberd visited our group and brought along a large selection of her stunning quilts. See Photo Gallery for a few photographs of her designs. Below is a Mariner’s Compass quilt by Ann.
9th JANUARY 2025 – NEW YEAR’S LUNCH
The group had their annual New Year’s Lunch in the Grove Building. All the food was provided by group members and enjoyed it wholeheartedly!
5TH DECEMBER 2024 – PRIZE DRAW WINNER
Mr Brian Robinson received his raffle prize quilt from Jane McQueen, Treasurer, and Kay Proctor, one of the quilt’s makers. Mr Robinson, of Mere, was delighted to have won the quilt, having greatly admired it at the Creative Mere weekend.
16TH AND 17TH NOVEMBER 2024 – CREATIVE MERE
The group had been busy making all sorts of items to sell at the Creative Mere weekend. Items included potholders, Advent calendars, bags, needle cases, scissor cases, cushion covers, Christmas decorations, Christmas cards to name but a few. There was also a lucky dip for a small parcel of fabric and a raffle to win a gorgeous quilt.
Two of our ladies demonstrated how to make a nine patch block and a Dresden plate.
OCTOBER 2024 GUEST SPEAKER BENJAMIN DREW
The group were pleased to welcome Benjamin to the group, who brought along many of his quilts and works in progress. Benjamin took the time to explain the processes he used and his passion for reusing, recycling and repurposing old clothes and bedding.
OCTOBER 2024 WORKSHOP
A workshop was held for the members to make a bag or a festive wall hanging. Mark Pickles of the Sewing Studio, Bath, came to service our sewing machines and brought fabrics, notions, and wadding for members to purchase.
LINUS PROJECT UK OCTOBER 2024
The group donated 41 quilts to the Linus Project UK. All quilts made by group members.
DONATION TO AIR AMBULANCE 2024
In September, Castle Hill Quilters presented a cheque for £600 to Wiltshire Air Ambulance, representing money raised from the sale of books, fabric, items made by the group and from the 2024 Open Day. The cheque was presented by Secretary Coral Pickles and Treasurer Jane McQueen at the group’s AGM.
OPEN DAY MAY 2024
Castle Hill Quilters held an open day in the Grove Building, where they showed local residents what they do, with demonstrations, a tombola, a fat quarter lucky dip as well as refreshments. Proceeds went to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Here are a few pictures taken before the event opened:
NEW YEAR 2024 LUNCH
The Castle Hill Quilters committee and the members bought various items of food and drink to celebrate the start of 2024. A big thanks to the CHQ committee who organised it all, laid a beautiful table, set out and served the food – and cleared up afterwards! There were also raffle prizes. It was such a lovely afternoon to meet each other, natter and enjoy wonderful food. Here are a few photos of this happy occasion:
GIFT TO AIR AMBULANCE 2023
Castle Hill Quilters recently presented a cheque for £750 to Wiltshire Air Ambulance, representing money raised from the sale of books and fabric and from the 2023 Open Day and Exhibition. Above, WAA volunteer John Martin accepts the donation from CHQ President Tanya Weller at the group’s AGM.
Brenda Thomas Talk 2023
In May 2023 Brenda Thomas gave a talk (above) to the group about her work and showed us a selection. Below is a seaside scene.
… and a Christmas scene:
2023 Open Day and Exhibition
Click / tap on the thumbnail image to see a larger version.
96 LINUS QUILTS!
During lockdown many quilters kept busy sewing, and Castle Hill Quilters was no exception. There are 96 quilts in this photo, all ready to give a little comfort.
Many thanks to all who contributed.
The Linus project gives a sense of security and comfort to sick and traumatised babies, children and teenagers by giving them of new home made patchwork quilts and knitted blankets, and gives volunteers across the UK the chance to contribute to their local communities.
June 27, 2019: Angela Knapp’s Talk
Above: Angela Knapp, fabric artist, showed her work and explained how she creates her pictures with fabric and embroidery.
May 2, 2019: Joy Salvage Talk
Above: Joy Salvage, creative patchwork and quilter, talked about her work and her obsession with log cabin design. She brought with her two of her prize-winning quilts, one of which is shown behind her in the photograph:
Members make Linus Quilts, 2019
Above: Some of the 21 quilts made by CHQ members for the Linus Project. Along with the quilts, there were 14 knitted blankets collected by Judi Philpott and Tricia Morrison, the Linus co-ordinators for North Dorset.
Stained Glass Window Panel Workshop, October 2018
Some photos of the Stained Glass Window Panel workshop, led by Lyn Onions, a textile artist and teacher. Lyn has recently opened her own quilting shop, called The Jolly Stitcher in Hackett Way, Fareham.
End-of-term 2018 Round-up
Here are some members’ quilting and applique works on display during our last meeting of the spring term.
The blue cushion was completed by a member after attending the Sandie Lush workshop
and the blue/green cushion was completed after an in house workshop on Egyptian applique.
Appliqued silk anenomes stretched onto an artist canvas
Textile picture depicting India, using paper, paint and applique technique
A quilt to commemorate ‘Rememberance’ of the two world wars, using applique, painting, computer printing onto fabric, free motion machining and a 3D poppy
Hand pieced pictures from an in house workshop, finishing techniques include hand embroidery and embellishment
Above and right: completed box handbags from an in house workshop
Machine pieced picture, finishing techniques include hand embroidery and embellishment
A textile picture using a soldering iron to create organza leaves, techniques include free motion machining to mirror the organza leaves, all worked on a gold and cream background
Machine pieced and quilted table runner using Christmas fabrics
Some of the CHQ Members celebrating Ladies Day, Ascot Races and also the last day of class. Have a lovely summer ladies
In April 2018, we were treated to a wonderful workshop with the talented Sandie Lush, assisted by her husband. Dave. The workshop was entitled Colonial Knotwork, and many of our ladies decided to make cushions with this technique. Pictures of the cushions will be posted when they are finished. Here are some photos of members working on their knotwork:
In April 2018 we were entertained by Linda Onions. Linda told us of her journey through the world of fabric and brought some examples of her beautiful work and also some fabric and patterns. Here are some pictures of her work:
In February 2018 Maggie Davies, a textile artist, told us about her life in working with textiles and showed us some of her beautiful work.
Here is Maggie (L) and our president,
Pat Hart, showing one of her quilts:
A close-up of the detail of this:
Here is a Christmas-themed quilt of Maggie’s:
Another example from Maggie’s wonderful collection:
In February 2017 we had a tea party in honour of Peggy Collinge, a founder member of Castle Hill Quilters, who is leaving the group. Carol Lord, who founded CHQ, paid tribute to Peggy’s enthusiasm in making quilts for the Linus project.
Anne Jeffries made a beautiful cake
and Peggy was given a small gift from the group.
The hanging features a central illustrated map of Mere surrounded by Castle Hill and the Wiltshire countryside, using fabric painting, free-motion machinery, applique and spaghetti applique. Surrounding the main panel is a border of blocks showing the different organisations that contribute to the life of the community.
Also in February 2017 we had a show and tell given by Andrea Ashwell. She showed us a selection of her beautiful quilts and explained her technique and how she decides on her designs. She uses a long-arm machine for her heavily-quilted designs.
2016 – MERE COMMUNITY WALL HANGING UNVEILED
After a year of sewing, Castle Hill Quilters celebrated the completion of the Mere Community Wall Hanging quilt with its formal unveiling in October 2016 in the Grove Building. Dr Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire, unveiled it and congratulated the members on their work.
The hanging features a central illustrated map of Mere surrounded by Castle Hill and the Wiltshire countryside, using fabric painting, free-motion machinery, applique and spaghetti applique. Surrounding the main panel is a border of blocks showing the different organisations that contribute to the life of the community.
In November 2014, Dawn Cameron Dick, a well-known quilter and teacher who has travelled the world, gave the group a talk on “Needles and thread – a love story”. She explained all there was to know about needles and threads, with hand outs and samples.
In September 2014, 22 members and five guests went on a coach trip paid for by CHQ to see the newly-opened New Forest Fabrics shop in Hythe, where we purchased some new and different fabrics. We then went onto Buckler’s Hard for lunch. We were blessed by good weather and everyone found the trip very enjoyable.
In July 2014, we had a coffee morning at Jennie’s, which 20 members attended for a ‘mid summer break’ coffee morning and cakes, with natters and catch ups with friends and colleagues!
From the Kaffe Fassett exhibition, American Museum in Britain, 2014
In June 2014, 16 of our members went on a trip to the American Museum in Claverton, near Bath. We had a personal tour around the museum to see the period rooms and also visited the museum’s special Kaffe Fassett exhibition. This showed a selection of the works of this well-known American knitter, quilter and fabric designer. We also had a chance to buy some books, patterns and fabric.
In July 2012, members visited the Whitchurch Silk Mill in Hampshire, and also the Quilters’ Dream shop near Andover.
In June 2012, the group heard a talk by Clare Hanham on “Learning embroidery the Royal way”.
In May 2012, members visited the Midsomer Quilting exhibition at the Radstock Museum in Radstock, Somerset.
In January through April 2012, Catharine Millar gave a six-part course for beginners.
In the autumn of 2011, several members of the group designed and made Alzheimers cushions for use by residents of Fives Court in Mere and also Linus quilts for seriously-ill children.
In October 2011, a coachload of members visited the autumn Malvern quilt show.
In September 2011, Joy Gillott
led a workshop for 12 of our members as well as giving a talk and showing some of her quilts.
In July 2011, eight members visited Romsey Abbey in Hampshire to see the quilt show by Romsey Quilters titled ‘Quilts in Bloom’.
In June 2011, we mounted a display of members’ quilts in the church during the St Michael’s parish church fete, Mere. See the photos on this page.
In May 2011, 11 members visited the Sprat & Winkle 30th Anniversary Exhibition at Andover Museum and also the Quilters’ Dream shop in Picket Piece.
In March 2011, Jennie gave 
a workshop on making a block holder. In the same month the group travelled to Exeter to spend a day at the Spring Quilt Festival.
In November 2010, members of Sprat & Winkle Quilters showed us some of their quilts. See Photo Gallery.
During October and November 2010, Carol gave a two-part workshop on how to make a Christmas wall hanging.
In October 2010, a full-day course on machine quilting was given at the Grove Buildings by Meg Leach of New Threads Quilt Shop (see our Links page).
In late September 2010, 12 members of the club made an afternoon trip to the Midsomer Quilting shop (see our Links page), where they were able to browse and purchase fabric and other quilting items and enjoyed a talk on quilting by a member of staff.
In June 2010 a group travelled to London to see the exhibit ‘Quilts 1700-2010’ at the V&A Museum. See Photo Gallery.
At the end of May 2010 members of the group visited the American Museum in Bath to see the Classic American Quilt Exhibition. Besides the ‘Classic American Quilts’ exhibition the tour included the textile room, which contains a large number of old American quilts. We had lunch at the museum and had time to browse in the shop!
In the early part of 2010 we arranged for Kate Pickard of North Dorset Quilters to run a course for 12 of our members who were beginner quilters.
