TALENTED craftswomen have been using their skills to give Bicknoller Women's Institute a new look.

The result of more than two years of meticulous work by ten members of the village branch has led to the creation of a new tablecloth which is displayed at monthly meetings and craft fairs.

The need for the new addition was first recognised in 2008.

Bicknoller WI president Maggie Pumphrey said that at a craft fair involving the Severn Seas Group of WIs, it was noticed that all the other branches had tablecloths that were nicely decorated on the front drop but plain on top, allowing crafts to be displayed well.

"The Bicknoller tablecloth was made in the early 1950s by the original Bicknoller WI members and was a patchwork cloth - all over," said Mrs Pumphrey.

"It was not suitable to display crafts as the cloth clashed with the items on display."

The WI members decided it was time to get sewing and make a new cloth, but agreement on the many ideas put forward was not reached until 2010 - and only completed late last year.

Marilyn Smith, one of the founder members of the re-formed Bicknoller WI, came up with the winning idea.

It involved making separate panels spelling out Bicknoller Women's Institute, with the letters produced using fabric transfer paint.

The letters, in many different colours, were painted in reverse on to paper panels and then ironed on to the cloth.

Each member then took a letter to embroider, with individual patterns woven around it, depicting a local scene or interest.

The sewing groups were co-ordinated by Marie Robinson but members designed their own panels, depicting everything from wildlife to flowers, a hitchhiker to a huntsman and a village scene to the West Somerset Railway.

"Some members had not done embroidery since schooldays but they were taught and guided by experienced needlewomen and gradually the cloth panels took shape," said Mrs Pumphrey.

"The panels then had to be appliquéd on to the tablecloth - perhaps the most difficult job of all - and this was undertaken by Marie.

"I don't know how many hours it took to make because some people worked alone at home and others in groups, but it is a really beautiful work of art."

In addition to Mrs Pumphrey, Mrs Robinson and Mrs Smith, the other members involved in producing the tablecloth were Glen Heaton, Anne Laflin, Ella Bean Michele Sears, Rita Thrush, Gillie Lees and Mary Hill.

Photo: Steve Guscott