Competition

The Mayors Plate Competition

In 1989 Nene Lacemakers were asked to make a jabot for the Mayor of Northampton to wear with his official robes. It was designed by Christine Barlow and made by Pauline Coldwell, Margret Phillips, Anne Newton, Winnie Grace, Jenny Griffin, Joan Wright and Christine Barlow.
It consists of eight layers of Torchon Lace. Two layers of six pattern repeats, two of seven, eight and nine repeats. On alternate rows, incorporated into the lace are the words:

800 : YEARS : CHARTER : 1189-1989

The Mayor's Plate

A keepsake Bobbin given to the winner of the Mayor's Plate
each year.

The stories behind our Commemorative Bobbins

We have recently become aware that we have several new members who have no idea of the history behind the bobbins that the committee present to the winners of the AGM and Christmas competitions so we thought we would tell you how they came about.

The Mayor's Plate and Bobbin

At the AGM on Friday 4th May 1990, the Mayor, Councillor Malcolm Lloyd, was invited and Nene Lacemakers presented him with the jabot. To thank the group, the Mayor presented Nene Lacemakers with one of a limited edition of "Charter Plates" commissioned to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the granting of Northampton's Market Charter. Nene Lacemakers committee decided that the plate would be competed for each year, the judging being at our AGM. This is why the Mayor is always invited to present the Plate at the AGM. The winner has a permanent memento of a bobbin commissioned from Stuart Johnson.

Freda Maltby Christmas Bobbin

Freda was a very active member of Nene Lacemakers for many years. Whilst she did not serve on the committee she always supported us in what ever we did. She enjoyed demonstrating at the town show and other events. After her death, her daughter asked if we would like her lace equipment and, with her agreement, we sold this to raise money for our annual charity. She was thrilled when we told her that we were having one made in her mother's memory and would present one each year to the winner of our Christmas completion. We also gave her one to keep as a reminder of all the happy times Freda spent making lace,

Joan Wright Christmas Bobbin

Joan was a previous Chairman of Nene Lacemakers and died in 2017 at the age of 99. She always enjoyed entering the Christmas competitions and so we felt it appropriate to add an extra prize in her memory.

Mayor's Plate Competition

Year                                    Title                                                                      Winner
1991                  Historical Northampton                                                            Joyce Scales
1992                  Spring Colours                                                                           Margaret Phillips
1993                  Lace Trimmed Handkerchief                                                   Frances Stanton
1994                  Bookmark                                                                                  Diana Glasspool
1995                  Lace for the Table                                                                     Christine Barlow
1996                  Lace circles                                                                                Jackie Coles
1997                  Paperweight                                                                               Anne Newton
1998                 Bookmark                                                                                    Gloria Marriott                                                         1999                  Interpretation of a pricking
2000                Circles
2001                 Lace in a Frame
2002                Lace to wear                                                                               Norma Munday
2003                Lace for the table                                                                       Jean Beatty
2004                NoveltyLace                                                                               Gill Rogers
2005                Flowers in Lace                                                                          Norma Munday
2006                Interpretation of a pricking                                                       Jenny Griffin
2007
2008                The Natural World                                                                    Barbara Potter
2009                The Four Seasons                                                                      Christine Barlow
2010                 A pincushion                                                                              Glenda Blackwell
2011                  A Roundel                                                                                   Mary Lambert
2012                  Butterflies and Flowers                                                            Anne Newton
2013                  Bridal Lace                                                                                 Jean Crane
2014                  Coloured Lace                                                                           Barbara Potter
2015                  Commemoration                                                                      Gill Rogers
2016                  Contrast in Lace                                                                        Joan Sheldon
2017                   Flowers                                                                                     Valerie Knowles
2018                  Remembering 1918                                                                   Judy Shepherd
2019    Precious Stones    Valerie Knowles
2020    Olympics 2020 (awarded Lace Day October 2021)             Barbara Potter
2021                  Due to Covid no competion this year
2022                 Keep Calm and Carry On