December 2013 - The Annual Christmas Party and talk “The Story of Stephen Simpson’s Gold Thread Works- Spinning a Golden Yarn” by Linda Barton.

The committee arrived early to set up the room for the annual Christmas party. Tables arranged, games displayed, Christmas tree for the competition entries, table decorations, felt badge making task, Christmas name badges and the secret Santa box were set out ready and we even had time for a coffee before the other members arrived.

It was so good to see so many people and after catching up with friends and the notices, the party began. Irene became the ‘MC’ for the morning and explained what was in store - games galore!

Matching cards got everyone up and moving around; spot the committee when they were babies and spot the celebrity – the babies proved more of a problem than the celebrities! Then into team games and the competition was intense- who had the best answer for a type of stitch beginning with E? Which team solved the jumbled embroidery words and the Christmas Carol conundrum? Finally we circulated whilst asking each other statements and it was amazing what we found out.

We finished just in time for dinner. Thanks to Newfields Catering Services for the splendid four course lunch washed down with wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee.

Next it was raffle time with everyone having one ticket which had already been stuck on their chairs. The Secret Santa gifts were distributed and caused great delight and then came the competition result.

The Embroidered Christmas Bangle Decorations had been displayed by the members on the Christmas tree and what a fantastic sight they were.

Everyone voted for their favourite and the winner was Sylvia Maudsley who was presented with the Jo Sullivan trophy and gift. A worthy winner.

After lunch the room was reorganised for the talk “The Story of Stephen Simpson’s Gold Thread Works- Spinning a Golden Yarn” by Linda Barton.

Linda is a member of the Local Historical Society and began to research Simpson’s Gold Thread Works in 2005 after visiting a building which had been converted to city apartments on Avenham Road, Preston.

It was a unique factory and was the only one to produce the threads from the beginning to the end of the process. The first stage was to melt the silver and copper and pour the molten material into a mould. Then it was cooled and on the drawing bench a perfect surface was obtained before covering in gold leaf.

The rod was then pulled through a series of die until the wire became thinner than a human hair. The wire would be flattened, spun, woven, corded and crimped to produce cords, sashes, ribbons and laces.

It was Stephen Simpson the 6th, and youngest son of Isaac Simpson, who began to develop the factory and machines for producing precious gold and silver threads. The factory operated from 1825 to 1991 and at its height employed over 230 people in the different departments.

We learnt about the employees who became long standing and loyal to the company- the first was a lady called Martha Riley who served for 44 years.

Thread were given different effects and known as purl purl, smooth purl and rough purl. Hand embroiderers both in the factory and as out workers produced beautiful badges and emblems for the military, royal outfits, the White Star Shipping Company and the masons to name but a few.

The company began to close down (within one week) when the GPO moved from copper telephone flex to fibre optics and finally due to cutbacks in cost from gold threads to cheaper man made lurex.
Thanks to Linda for a fascinating and enjoyable talk. Many of us learnt something new about the history of Preston, whereas others knew of friends who had worked at the factory in the past.

Finally we looked at the samples Linda had brought with her.

Thanks to all the committee for their hard work which made the whole day go with a swing.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all members. 

Hope to see you all on the 4th January for our talk and workshop by Chris Cannon – Kath Morton Memorial Wessex Stitch Day.