Monday’s removal of the knitted treasures decorating trees in Cambridge and Leamington marked the closure of Cambridge Creative Fibre 2025 and the end of one of the town’s most colourful few weeks.
This collection of Creative Fibre talent at the hall’s entrance are, from left, Ali McLaren, vice-president Tracey Sparke, president Margaret Cairns, exhibition convenor Anne Curtis, Adelle Cooke, Bronya McInally and treasurer Jo Locke. Photo: Viv Posselt
The outdoor display has heralded the arrival of the annual exhibition and fibre fair for several years and has become another of the town’s attractions.
The five-day event in the Cambridge Town Hall attracted hundreds of visitors and last Saturday’s fibre day, or traders’ day, was said to be an outstanding success, attracting many who were eager to scan what traders from around the country were selling.
The 2025 winners were Bev Beetlestone (Bess Aston Weaving Award, and Best Use of Fleece); Tracey Sparks (Best Use of Colour); Karen Walkinshaw (Domestic Excellence Award); club president Margaret Cairns (Joy Mahood Spinning Award); Bronya McInally (Outside the Square); Ali McLaren (New Skill Award), and Nikki Hart (First Time Entrant Award), Ali McLaren – My Breezy Garden (Public favourite item).
So, what happens to all the masterpieces that have brightened Cambridge’s streets recently, and in all weathers?
According to exhibition convenor Anne Curtis, they’re all washed and packed away, ready for more of the same next year.
Bev Beetlestone won Best Use of Fleece for this item. She also won the Bess Aston Weaving Award at the exhibition. Photo: Viv Posselt
This pair of tea cosies ‘at smoko time’ were knitted by Karen Walkinshaw, winning her the Domestic Excellence Award. Photo: Viv Posselt
These colourful felted stash bins, crafted by Bronya McInally, won the Selectors Choice Award. Photo: Viv Posselt
The Cambridge Town Hall was heaving with activity at Saturday’s traders’ day, part of the annual Cambridge Creative Fibre exhibition. Photo: Viv Posselt
Cambridge Fibre vice-president Tracey Sparkes won the Best Use of Colour Award for this piece of work. Photo: Viv Posselt
Sara Casey of Hawke’s Bay was at the traders’ day, with one of her naturally coloured ‘bumps’ made from wool from the sheep she and partner Joseph Kyle breed at their Rocky Basin Wool property. Photo: Viv Posselt
Creative Fibre in Victoria St
