How it all began

In September 1978 Christine Lardner began an evening class for beginners in lacemaking at Milham Ford School in Oxford. Although she specified a maximum of 15 students, the organizers, keen to gain extra revenue had enrolled 18! To be faced with 18 beginners when teaching lacemaking for the first time was a daunting prospect, but soon the students became proficient and hooked on lacemaking. Most returned for the second year, plus a few more until there were 24 in the class, which was now mixed ability, Torchon, Bedfordshire and Bucks Point Ground. Tutor and students began travelling to local lace days and soon decided that they would like to run their own. First a name for the group must be chosen. Eventually Isis Lacemakers was settled upon, Isis being the local name for the River Thames on its passage through the city.

In 1985 we decided that the evening class system was no longer suitable for our needs and so we formed a self help group which could meet all year round. The first meeting was in April 1985 and continues to this day meeting two evenings a month.

Isis Lace Days

The first Isis Lace Day was held in a small hall in October 1983. About 100 lacemakers crowded into the hall, to spend their money at the sales tables, listen to the talk, drink tea and sample homemade cakes. The day was a success and even made a small profit, allowing us to confidently plan for our next Lace Day.

Our Lace Days grew and we needed a bigger hall, eventually catering for up to 200 lacemakers. 

We also ran a spring Lace Fair for many years.

From 2005, we ran the South Oxfordshire Lace Day each April.

Sadly with Covid our Lace Days ceased. We have no current plans to restart them.

The Marion Welch/Isis Remembrance Trophy

Marion Welch was a founder member of the Isis Lacemakers and a committee member until she died, tragically early at only 56. She is well remembered by those attending our Lace Days as she always organized the raffle and so helped raise hundreds of pounds for charity. When she died, the group wanted to mark her life in some way and so the Marion Welch Trophy was born. Later, we decided to rename the trophy "Isis Remembrance Trophy" to commemorate all the members we have sadly lost. The trophy is a pewter model of a lacemaker and is held for a year by the Isis member who produces the highest placed piece of lace in our annual competition. The holder also receives a bone bobbin inscribed Isis Remembrance Trophy to keep.

Charity

Over the years the Isis Lacemakers have raised many thousands of pounds for charity by holding raffles and tombolas. 

The Isis Lacemakers today

The Isis Lacemakers is a friendly group, our current membership is about 15. We enjoy demonstrating lacemaking at various local craft fairs, shows and fetes etc.

Our evening meetings are mainly for lace and chat, including a refreshment break. 

In 2002 we moved our meetings to our present venue, St Nicholas Church Hall, Elsfield Road, Old Marston, Oxford. We meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm.

We always welcome new members, there is no charge for your first visit.