On officially the hottest day of the year, more than 70 members and guests of The Arts Society Dumfries and Galloway gathered at Mabie House Hotel for a delicious vintage style afternoon tea with a stimulating talk and entertainment.
On arrival people entered a hotel lobby that had been transformed into a beautiful exhibition space featuring a number of stunning hand embroidered jackets in gold and silver thread.
They were the work of former member, the late Shirley McKeand, and Margot McIntyre of Textiles & Embroidery Dumfries. Margot even managed to attract a private commission for a bespoke piece for a member who was completely blown away by what she saw.
As people perused the garments and enjoyed the summer-themed raffle, an authentic mood was set by the playing of vintage tunes on an old-fashioned wind-up gramophone operated by DJ Graham McLeod.
The keynote speaker for the afternoon was Sara Jane Dennis, a lecturer at the Royal School of Needlework, and a well-known television presenter. The audience was entranced by her stunning slides as they travelled with Sara on her journey from teaching in Hampton Court Palace to presenting and conserving on the hugely popular BBC programme, The Repair Shop.
For those limited to lazy daisy, stem stitch and French knots, it was something of an education and the audience hung on her every word. Questions came thick and fast and Sara responded with warmth, humour and some wonderfully colourful anecdotes.
The society team had also joined forces with the very creative Marie Martin and Daniel McKinnon, owners of the eco-focused Circle Vintage store in Dumfries, who pride themselves on offering “true vintage and retro clothing to suit everyone”.
Marie briefly explained the meaning of slow fashion, a movement that’s great both for one’s wallet and more importantly, for the planet. A mini fashion extravaganza followed featuring Maria Tyurdo, a refugee ballet dancer from Ukraine and Iona Miggin, a trainee dancer in Dumfries, and Fiona Lee, who runs Kirkcudbright Art Tours.
The society’s new president Hilary Alcock said: “It really was a terrific afternoon – it was both fun and educational.
“I think people were just so pleased to be able to get together again, enjoy a relaxed social occasion in elegant surroundings and then be served a delicious vintage-themed afternoon tea.
“We’ve also raised some funds to ensure the society remains on a viable financial footing after the effects of the pandemic and they will be shared between our organisation and a local charitable project to be decided by the committee.”
The society meets at the Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, at 11am on the second Tuesday of the month from September to June, with an informative and entertaining lecture on some aspect of the arts.
For more details including the programme see: www.tasdag.org.uk or email info@tasdag.org.uk
