The Maybees patchwork and craft group

The group was formed at the beginning of 2001, most of the members having been part of the taught group of weekly Patchwork & Quilting classes run by Penny Mackenzie in Turvey Lower School.  Penny had to give up her classes and subsequently moved away from the village.  The members felt they would like to continue with the weekly meetings and so the new group was formed.

Members were asked to suggest a name for the new group and ‘Maybees’ was selected.  This was an amalgamation of the name of the road in which the school was situated (May Road) and the name given to a group of ladies sewing – a ‘sewing bee’.

In 2002 a Sampler Quilt was made which was subsequently raffled for the Primrose Appeal at Bedford Hospital and a donation of £500 was raised for this appeal.

In 2009 a ‘Light to Dark’ (quilt showing houses) patchwork quilt was submitted to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, and was included in the Quilters Guild Challenge to create the longest quilt in the world for the Guinness Book of Records.

In 2011 an Exhibition was held in Turvey Village Hall celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the group and displaying traditional and modern quilts, wall hangings, cushions, lacework, toy making, bags, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitted items, fabric boxes, and beadwork. Photographs of the exhibition can be seen below.

In time a move was made away from Turvey School and a new venue was decided upon – Cold Brayfield Village Hall.  After a while it was decided to change from meeting in the evenings to meeting during the day.  Although this decision meant we lost a few members who were unable to come, we have been able to welcome several new members and we can also work in daylight which is a boon for those doing close work which requires good light.

Maybees continues to evolve, meeting to work on various crafts and running workshops, the latest projects include making needle felted hares and making a hanging for the Coronation of Charles III, which was hung in All Saints Church, Turvey.

Names of Current Members:  Maria Barnard, Karen Brennan, Yvonne Fensome, Jackie Flack, Ann Furnival, Marie Heath, June Jessop, Lucy Ibrahim, Sue King, Julie Law, Gill Pearce, Jenny Skoines, Christine Skone, Joy Woodruff (2023)

Photographs of the Maybees’ display at the Turvey History Society 2023 Heritage Open Day exhibition can be seen here.