RHIANNEL Turrell spoke about the history of buttons at the September meeting of the Holmer WI.
She began collecting buttons over 40 years ago when, at a house sale, she spotted an intriguing hexagonal tin box.
She lifted the lid and... the rest is history!
Inside she discovered an eclectic mixture of textures, shapes and sizes which led to Rhiannel collecting, sorting and mounting an enormous selection of buttons.
Starting around 5000 BC, buttons have been made in many different shapes and from many different materials including plastic, Bakelite, shells, nuts, horn, glass and rubber to name but a few. Birmingham was the centre of button manufacture in the 18th century.
Rhiannel passed round display boxes of her collections.
Sue Howells, the WI's resident Dorset button maker, gave a vote of thanks which was followed by a round of applause.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 2 at 7.30pm in St Mary's Church, Grandstand Road when the WI will be having an Autumn craft and produce show.
Membership is rising very quickly but they'll squeeze you in somewhere. So go along ladies and see what the Holmer WI is all about.
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