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:
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
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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 Eileen Rogers
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 Eileen Rogers
