Surprisingly, the reunion last Wednesday was the Taieri Creative Fibre/Spinners and Weavers Group's first, although there was a ''bit of a get-together'' at the 40-year mark.
''A lot of the older members put an awful lot of time and effort into the group, and we just wanted to say thank you, as it's on their foundation that we're still building.''
Many of the older women passed tips and techniques on to younger members.
While some techniques had changed, such as natural dyes making way for synthetic, there was now a mix of older and newer techniques, she said.
The group's activities were not confined to spinning and weaving, allowing for any creative use of fibre.
One of four founding members of the group, Phyllis Nichol, died early last month.
Just one founding member, Kay Waddell, of Mosgiel, is alive, and the life member was one of five past or life members who attended.
The reunion featured a display and special lunch.
A total of 35 people attended.
Because of the physical nature of spinning and weaving, older members sometimes gave up the pursuit.
However, some continued to regularly attend meetings, perhaps with knitting, or just to have a chat.
The group had quite a few young members, which was important to ensuring its future.
It could always do with more younger people, Mrs Gamble said.
Learners were welcome, and the group had various items of equipment for hire, including spinning wheels and weaving looms.
Mrs Gamble hoped to make the reunion an annual event.
The group was founded in 1969 by a Taieri couple, Mr and Mrs Wells.
''Mrs Wells was a terrific spinner and Mr Wells a talented woodworker, and he made wheels not only for his wife but for a number of other local ladies who joined the spinning group,'' Mrs Gamble said.
Initially, the group met at the Wells' home, but as it grew it had to find a bigger venue.
• The group now meets in the Presbyterian Church rooms in Church St, Mosgiel, 10am-2pm, on the first and third Wednesday of the month.
