EMBROIDERERS in Darlington are preparing for a year of celebrations to mark 100 years since the founding of the Embroiderers' Guild.

The guild was founded on January 12, 1906, and on the anniversary on Thursday, the Darlington branch members will have a celebration lunch.

Members throughout the UK will be celebrating the centenary through a year-long programme of events.

In the North-East, the guild is planning an exhibition of embroidery which will be on show in Hartlepool in March. It will be a celebration of the past, present and future of embroidery.

As part of the involvement with the exhibition, the Darlington branch has created a memento panel to illustrate the changing styles of embroidery throughout the 20th Century.

The branch has created a panel to celebrate the 1920s, looking at the fashions and social scene.

It meets on the first Saturday of every month at the Liddiard Theatre, Polam Hall School, at 2pm.

Visitors are welcome and can pay admission on arrival. The only requirement is an interest in embroidery and stitching.

Anyone with any queries is asked to contact Joy Bradshaw, regional vice-chairwoman, on (01325) 350010, or Darlington chairwoman, Helen Winthorpe Kendick, on (01325) 332592.