Village Squire, 1977-09, Page 5Obviously an old hand at it, John Kerr gives a demonstration of his spinning skill.
Spinning is no lost art
thanks to the Kerrs
of Drumclog Farm
BY DEBBIE RANNEY
Spinning is not a lost art. It has found a home in the hearts
of John and Barbara Kerr who run Drumclog Farm Crafts
near the village of Belgrave.
John and Barbara who are teachers had been living near
Kleinburg before moving here about five years ago. They sell
spinning wheels, drop spindles, carders, British fleece,
Canadian fleece and books as well as giving demonstrations
of their work at various craft shows around the area. The
Kerrs will send out price lists and samples of the wool they
sell to anyone who wants them.
It all started with John's aunt who is a great believer in
handicrafts. In 1967 as her Centennial project bis aunt took up
spinning and a couple of years later John and Barbara did the
same. His aunt tried to teach them both to spin but John
found it frustrating so only Barbara learned from her. Then
John took a Department of Education course just to learn
about the dyeing and the carding of the wool and stuck to
hooking rugs for awhile but he finally ended up having
Barbara teach him how to spin.
Now John and Barbara have been holding classes so other
people can learn too. Last fall they held night classes at the
Wingham high school and this summer they gave a week long
session of training to eight interested students. They're
thinking of continuing the night course in Wingham again this
VILLAGE SQUIRE/SEPTEMBER 1977, 3.