2025-10-31-accounts

. www.wiltshireguildswd.org.

Charity Commission Report AGM 2026

Charity registration number: CIO. 1203638

Charity name: The Wiltshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers. 3, St Mary’s School Building, High Street, Steeple Ashton, BA14 6EU

The objective of the Guild is to preserve and improve craftsmanship in handweaving, spinning and dyeing for the benefit of the public and the promotion of public education in such craftsmanship. In particular to: provide a happy and friendly atmosphere in which to learn, develop and practice the skills of weaving, spinning and dyeing. Expand public awareness of the history and practice of these crafts by demonstrations at festivals and other events, support learning in the community by encouraging members of the public to take up the crafts of weaving, spinning and dyeing and or a study of their heritage, and to assist them in this process, encourage young people to learn and practice these crafts both by their participation at appropriate Guild events and also by partnership working with educational establishments.

Trustees. Una Carlow Susan Dimbylow Beryl Francis Valerie Laverick

Membership

The Guild provides a web site for potential new members describing all the activities of the guild and it is through this that many members in recent years find their way to the guild. The website also is a way for members to receive detailed information on all the various groups, administrative matters, courses and future events. Our membership numbers are enhanced by organising free events for the general public at our premises, local advertising and involvement in community events. At these events visitors are able to view and try, with supervision, various crafts like spinning, weaving and associated crafts. Our membership therefore remains steady at 104 members which includes seven on line and one young person member.

Education General

The Monthly Guild Saturday Programme often includes workshops supporting invited specialist speakers who attend the Guild, thereby extending skills across a range of crafts to a high level.

Additionally the annual Guild 'Skills Day' provides a forum for mini-workshops where skills are taught and shared and includes workshops, such as advanced techniques in spinning, weaving and dyeing. This is along side skills and themed days.

The weekday craft groups are very popular and have a varied twice weekly programme which provide a focus for sharing and learning.

We are fortunate to have skilled tutors who continue to commit to delivering workshops for the general public and for members.

Weaving

The weaving tutors have redeveloped their teaching programme so that the general public are able to experience a one day weaving taster session. This has been well received by potential weavers, some of whom have continued to weave in the studios despite the poor condition of the building.

This year some of the weavers had the opportunity to learn how to create new weaving patterns using software.

Spinning

The new one day format of 'Beginner's Spinning' workshops continues to work well, following the change from a longer four day spinning course. The three beginner workshop in 2025 were very popular with the first course in 2026 fully booked.

Dyeing

Five members continue to study natural dyeing using the course accredited by the Association of Guilds, Weaving, Spinning and Dyeing. (AGWSD)

Craft Groups

In the various textile craft groups experienced members assist learners to learn new skills by teaching, demonstrations and workshops. There are five different groups including patchwork and quilting, felting and embroidery.

Highlights of the Year.

Joseph Musical Theatre Display

This autumn the Guild were invited to participate in a display of scenes from musical theatre in the local church, a free event for the general public. The display provided an opportunity for the Guild to showcase its many and varied skills to create Jacob fleece sheep, a sparkling robe emblazoned with beads, felt banners and dyed material for the camel legs etc. The combined guild effort to recreate the musical Joseph was admired by many visitors.

Corsley Fair

The spinners participated in Corsley Fair near Warminster this August with some of our members demonstrating spinning to members of the public.

Logo

Following a competition for members to produce a Guild Logo the successful entry is already in use for notices and adverts. The logo which represents every activity at the guild has been complemented by many outside the Guild including local magazine editors.

Quilt Exhibited at NEC

One of our members made a 100% sustainable quilt “The Bug Quilt” using plant dyes, lake pigments and plant based watercolour paints. The quilt depicts anatomically correct beetles and flying insects and was exhibited at the NEC Birmingham Quilt Festival 2025. An article by the maker was also published in the National Association Journal.

Craft Fair

The two day Guild Christmas Craft Fair 2025 at our guild was again very successful and enjoyed by local residents who admired the variety of items and skill of members.

Trustee Retiring

Two trustees are retiring this year. Thank you to Susan Dimbylow and Una Carlow for their years of service and their valuable contribution to discussion, ideas and questions which help to clarify process and procedure. Una Carlow guided the Guild through the procedure to achieve our CIO status, constitution and standing orders.

Future Work for 2026

Unfortunately the landlords building project has not noticeably progressed. The replacement windows in this building have not been approved by the conservation officer despite several attempts by our landlord to resolve the issue.

Trustee Responsibilities

The policies and procedures for which the Trustees have legal responsibility have been updated in 2025.

The Charity Commission annual return for the period 31 October 2024 to 1st November 25 will be to submitted after this AGM in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act.

The opening of a new bank account with the new CIO number is ongoing.

A new trustee has been nominated by members to be elected at this AGMSusan Collyer. Subsequently elected at this AGM in accordance with the Guild constitution and standing orders.

All Trustees have confirmed their understand of their responsibilities regarding “public benefit” as specified in the Charity Commission Guidance as below.

The Charities Act says that charity trustees must ‘ have regard ’ to the commission ’ s public benefit ‘ ’ guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant .

The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires charity trustees to confirm that they have done so in their trustees ’ annual report.

‘ Having regard ’ to the commission ’ s public benefit guidance means charity trustees should be able to show that:

• they are aware of the guidance

• they have taken it into account when making a decision to which the guidance is relevant

• • if they have decided to depart from the guidance, they have good reasons for doing so

Signed 21/02/26 Beryl Francis On behalf of Trustees

File : BF Trustee Charity Commission Rpt 26 Trustee Blue file