Welcome to the Discovery Centre Craft Group

Many people recognise that Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is a fantastic place for connecting with nature and the great outdoors to boost wellbeing, but fewer people realise that the Discovery Centre also offers a special way to connect with others indoors, with a shared enthusiasm for crafting.

Communications Officer Kathy Crowther joins the Discovery Centre’s craft group to find out more…

The group always meets on Wednesday afternoon and, after an incredibly wet and windy start, I wasn’t sure quite how many people to expect. But such is the warmth of the welcome and atmosphere of the group that, despite the threatening weather, seven crafters came along, to join in with the three volunteers – Anne Yates, Amanda Martin and Cherylene Lovell running the group.

There are a range of needlecrafts taking place, including knitting and cross-stitch, but activity also includes card-making and crochet, plus the chance to learn a range of crafts. Anne Yates is clear that when she and Amanda started the group, it was important to them for the group to be about sharing skills and exchanging ideas, not about putting pressure on anyone or prescribing what individuals should create or learn, from week to week - although learning from each other is certainly an option.

‘The group has a stable core of regulars, as well as those who drop-in when they’re available,’ Anne says. ‘We’ve asked people what they want to learn more about – and crochet and embroidery came up. So we’re going to do some of this in the new year, maybe share a stitch a week to get everyone up and running.’

This approach is certainly appreciated in the group, some of whom learned crafting skills through YouTube videos, and who agree that learning from others is better: ‘it’s good to learn from people who have the skills,' crafter Debbie shared. 'Being with like-minded people, opening up new horizons and making contact with people who have skills you particularly want to learn.’

New members welcome

The craft group has seen several new members in 2022 - one more joined the group during this session. They all offer a range of skills and interests and share with me a range of reasons for joining the group - from learning crafts, to wanting friendly faces to share skills and ideas with, to gaining feedback on projects and techniques and to enjoy socialising with others who have a shared interest.

Many also share that they’re keen to get involved with the group as a way of contributing to the reserve. Essentially, this is where the group got started, long before the Discovery Centre was built, during that interim period when the original Lime Kiln Cottage was demolished and the information centre moved to temporary cabins. Volunteer Amanda Martin explains:

‘A local lady was part of a knitting group, supplying items for the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to sell and raise funds. Although the lockdown had a big impact, when we were able to restart we realised that there was a real demand for knitted items – particularly hats and gloves when visitors find that it can be quite chilly here!’

Adept at dressmaking, crochet and knitting, Amanda responded to the demand for warm woollies by designing and knitting her own wrist-warmers. Others in the craft group have used the pattern to create an impressive stock of these, which are sold to Discovery Centre visitors during Wednesday afternoons, on the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Open Days (2nd Saturday of each month) and at the recent Festive Makers Market, where the craft stall raised over £500.

The group also enjoy other shared projects, such as creating squares for the impressive handmade Christmas tree which is decorating the Discovery Centre over this festive period.

And for anyone who’s keen on the social aspect as much as the crafting? Chat about local activity and topics of interest weaves naturally throughout the afternoon - discussing pollution, beach-cleaning and conservation activities in the area to chat about other local venues, the success of the Festive Makers Market, local events and activities over the winter, alongside personal anecdotes and experiences. Against the exhibition space’s beautiful River Rother backdrop, and with frothy coffees and hot chocolate from the Lime Kiln Café, the social side of the group is itself a wonderful way to spend a Wednesday afternoon.

The Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Craft Group takes place every Wednesday afternoon, from 1.30pm – 3.30pm, but will be taking a pause over Christmas period. There will be no group on 21st & 28th December 22 but will restart on Wednesday 4th January 23. Please do come along if you would like to find out more about joining the group.