#292 Winter 2024

I don’t think a week goes by without mention of artificial intelligence in mainstream media. Nevertheless, you can rest assured that contributions to and production of all foreseeable editions of the Journal WSD are very much human-generated.

It may be the sense of control and mindfulness that spinning and weaving require, which means they have endured despite machine alternatives. Or does mastery of our equipment provide such a sense of satisfaction? When I had some extra lighting and sockets put into the bedroom I grandly call The Weaving Room, the electrician was intrigued that none of the equipment needed plugging in and yet could still produce things he recognised.

There are many examples in this issue of how stand-alone equipment can be used. Pointing out that spinners have control of their wheels rather than the other way round, Cath Snape provides troubleshooting tips in the first of two articles (p.6). On p.22, Krystyna Gadd writes about the therapeutic effects of weaving for traumatised young women in Sri Lanka, and on p.36, Bradford Guild shows the start of solar dyeing silk as well as rapid fixing of natural dyes using steam. As nights draw in, I hope you find plenty to spark your creativity or help get an idle piece of equipment back into enjoyable production.

Such are the memories and influence of the late Stuart Groom, none of the JEC team questioned giving him the title of President on p.41 in the last issue. Stuart was actually chairman of the Association. For anyone unaware of Stuart’s contribution,
The Journal WSD, issue 261 (Spring 2017) has tributes to him on pp.6-8. Re-reading these gives me the impression of a lovely person I unfortunately never met, but wish I had. Contact with people like Stuart provides one of the intangible rewards for volunteering for the AGWSD.

Lesley Fidler, acting JEC Chair