Ballito craft club celebrates 25 years
Gloria Clarke is the only remaining member from 1997, but there are a few who have been involved since the early 2000s.
The Ballito Craft and Friendship Club last week celebrated its 25th Christmas Party, continuing a legacy of bringing women in the community together.
Started by Salt Rock resident Gloria Clarke in July 1997, the club’s four founding members sought a way to better their craft abilities after identifying a lack of clubs in the area.
In the 25 years since, the number of regular members has reached as high as 30, with 14 currently making the bi-monthly trip to the Salt Rock Library.
“We host workshops and demonstrations for new skills, as well as simply meeting to see each other and be social. We all need like-minded people in our lives,” said Clarke.
In its time, the club has drawn ladies from as far afield as Umhlanga and those who live on farms in Darnall and surrounds, although most are from the greater Ballito area.
Clarke is the only remaining member from 1997, but there are a few who have been involved since the early 2000s.
Although primarily a social club, the group has helped to knit clothing for charities, most recently for children at the Shakaskraal SA Primary School on Mandela Day.
The club is open to anyone who would like to join and you can get details for specific meetings by asking at the Salt Rock Library.
They meet on the second and last Thursday of every month at 9.30am, although as Clarke says: “We are bound to get caught up chatting when everyone arrives, so it is more likely that we start at around 10!”
If you are interested, make sure to give it a try – clubs like this are becoming a rarity.
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