Virtual meeting

At its 62^nd Zoom meeting the Club was delighted to welcome Gail Foley and Jackie Wright  

They had with others living in or near Llanmaes formed a group initially to make scrubs for hospitals. Scrubs proved hard to make and the group, which numbered about 10, soon switched to making masks to sell to raise funds. 

The range of masks proved so popular that they were soon inundated with orders, selling far beyond the original local outlets in Llantwit Major. Welsh masks proved particularly popular and orders came in from the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Portugal. They also made vintage masks in Laura Ashley fabrics

Funds raised went mainly to hospitals in South Wales  The contact with local hospitals meant they could be agile and respond to particular needs such as tablet holders so that patients could see relatives and ear plugs to cut out the noise of equipment in ICU wards. Some members of the group who were less adept at sewing knitted pairs of hearts, one for the patient and one for the family.

They extended their support to mental health causes and befriending projects and have now set up a craft room in Llanmaes which meets once a month in the Village Hall.

A village lockdown quilt is being made as a memorial with squares  contributed by members of the group and the village, one of which features a bottle of gin.

President Geoff Jones thanked for Gail and Jackie and the other members of the group for their remarkable efforts not only in raising funds but for developing community spirit and helping against loneliness during the Pandemic.

In recognition of what they had done the Club was awarding each of them individually and on behalf of the other volunteers its Achievement Award for 2020/21 for their outstanding service to the community.