The Women's Sewing Society was inaugurated on October 13th (1914). It is unsectarian, has sixteen members, and meets one afternoon a week in the Darllenfa. Friends unable to attend the meetings have helped by knitting garments at home. The cutting-out is done by an expert and attention is paid to the quality of the work put into the garments, so that when finished they bear about them no marks of the amateur needlewoman. As a matter of fact, the Society is extremely fortunate in numbering among its members professional shirt-makers. No fewer than 245 articles have been made, including seventy-seven flannel shirts (two energetic members being responsible for thirty- nine). forty-two pairs of socks, bed jackets, Nightingales, Balaclava helmets, mittens, pillows, etc., have been dispatched to the Red Cross Society for our Indian soldiers, the motor machine gun service, the Army Flying Corps, Belgian women at the Alexandra Palace Welsh troops, and others.
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| Photograph courtesy of William Troughton, National Library of Wales |
Local men serving with the colours have not been forgotten, and a new year's hamper filled with garments and "goodies'' found its way to our men at Cambridge. One parcel was opened as the recipient put it "not many yards away from the German trenches." In the first place a grant was received from the Red Cross Society (per Lady Pryse) of two rolls of flannel and five and half pounds of wool, followed by a further grant of £5 for material. When that was used other friends kindly gave materials, many members using their own material to make or finish garments. Still more being required. Penparke set about finding the money, and up to date a sum of £11 18s 9d has been raised in the village itself.
It is gratifying to note that of that sum £3 represents half the proceeds of Mr. John Jenkins's concert held in the church, and £2 6s. is the outcome of the lecture and recital (Mr. Ernest Jones and Mrs Sidney James) held in the chapel. Two friends in Aberystwyth have given 7s. 6d. and the Society does not mind how many others show in a similar wav their appreciation of the work being done. There is now little left in hand, but as long as material is available the members are prepared to work for any good cause connected with the war. At the last meeting held a welcome visitor appeared in the person of Major Abraham Thomas, whose cheery words very encouraging to the workers. Subscriptions in money or kind will be thankfully received by Miss C. Powell Evans, treasurer Ty Tringad; or Mrs. T. Thomas, secretary, Glasfryn.
Blog by project volunteer Alex Hird
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