The idea came about in 2012 when the Moggerhanger Meeting Place & Shop organisers were looking for ways to make more use of the Meeting Place part of the venture at the back of St. John’s Church (in Blunham Road). Knit and Natter groups are springing up in many places as knitting became popular again, and it was decided to use the back of the church for a Moggerhanger group to meet regularly when the shop is open in the mornings.
The group meets once a month, on the fourth Tuesday of the month (10.00-12.00), and has many regulars. There are wools, needles and know-how available and people either bring their own projects or come and do a bit of knitting for charity, and perhaps learn to knit in the process. Members have produced work for the Shoe Box Appeal in 2013. Members have also made animals for the village travelling Christmas crib and donated characters for the church Christmas crib.
Tea, coffee, biscuits and friendship are always available and newcomers are very welcome – just come along, join in and have a good time.
This year the group is knitting garments for a charity run by John Law of Moggerberry, Home Farm, Moggerhanger Park, who goes to Moldova every year to take clothes, agricultural and other materials and know-how to people living in extreme poverty. The children in the villages often live on their own because their parents are forced to leave for the big cities to earn, so warm knitwear is especially welcome.
John has has now made a trip to Moldova and successfully delivered the knitted goods. He has suggested that as well as jumpers and cardigans sleeveless pullovers or tank tops would be very useful as an additional layer of warm clothing. He has some photos of the children which, all being well he will show and give us a short talk at our July meeting. He has also promised to bring some fruit locally grown at Moggerberry.
In July, we were visited by John Law who runs ‘Moggerberry’ a charity which raises funds for a project to help a village in the eastern European country of Moldova. The focus of the charity is to improve the lives of villagers in Moldova through improved agriculture, practical aid and support of a group of children giving a guarantee of education and meals. John extended an invitation to all to visit the farm in Park Road where all income from this undertaking goes directly to support the charity. He once again thanked us for all the warm clothing we have knitted.
John talked about the very harsh conditions in which the people lived and described how many children are left to fend for themselves when their parents went away to work. The Knit & Natter group had given a quantity of jumpers and other knitted garments. John said these were very gratefully received and encouraged members to send hats, gloves, scarves, jumpers (especially for older children), and sleeveless pullovers. They love bright colours and bold designs so it’s a good opportunity to use any odd balls of wool. The group has a supply of wool if anyone wishes to help this worthwhile cause.
John said our garments are very much appreciated in Moldova. They would be happy to receive more – scarves, gloves, hats, sleeveless pullovers, larger sizes – anything children of all ages would find useful. Our group has a stock of wools, needles, patterns – and expertise – so why not try your hand at knitting and enjoy a natter too.
24 March 2015
John Law of MoggerBerry came to tell us about his Moldova project and to collect the knitwear for the children there which the group had produced. He also told us about a project to build up a collection of irises at MoggerBerry (part of Home Farm, at the gate to the Park). And for a different event he asked the group to knit some bunting!
