TWO spinners from the South Hams will be exhibiting their work at a prestigious exhibition being held this month at one of Devon’s popular National Trust properties.

The work of Sue Flynn from Salcombe and Frances Link, from Cotmore, near Stokenham, has been selected from hundreds of items to go on display at the National Exhibition of Associations of the Guilds of Weavers Spinners and Dyers at Killerton House, near Exeter.

Sue, who has only been spinning for two and a half years and knitting for nearly 50 years, submitted a delicate purple lace shawl which was knitted from her own hand spun and plied yarn using commercial Merino and silk tops.

Frances, who has been spinning and knitting for more than 30 years, has used her single ply yarn from home dyed Blue Faced Leicester and dyed Merino tops to create a charming child’s Fair Isle cardigan. She started spinning using the wool from her own sheep to create her own handmade designs and knitwear.

Both spinners are members of South Hams Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers, and this is the first year that the guild has entered work for selection.

Entitled ‘Threads in Time’, the exhibition, which has been held biennially throughout the UK since 1955, has come to the south west to celebrate the wealth from its former wool trade, and to showcase the skills and talents of the association members.

The exhibition runs until Sunday, September 18, from 11am to 5pm.

Anyone who may be interested in the craft of spinning, weaving and dying can contact the South Hams Guild either by its website: southhamsspinners.wordpress.com or by calling into West Charleton Village Hall where it meets on the first Monday of the month from 10am to 12pm.