By Kevan Garvey
Will adopted early. Technology, music, and when his sister sulked into early teen awkwardness, he even took on a few of my fatherly duties, and as a result, you could include her in that adoption list too.
But especially, he was first to new TV comedy. Gavin and Stacey, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Modern Family, to name just a few. And, one comedy in particular that he appropriated early was, Lee Mack’s “Not Going Out”. In one of the earliest episodes, work shy Lee, encouraged by his flat mate to look for a job, brings back a leaflet from the Job Centre.
“A Job innit”. Lee exclaims in exaggerated youth speak in between teeth sucking. The leaflet should of course have read “A Job In IT”
That joke has stayed with me. Lee’s cleverly clumsy, contraction of “isn’t it” has been stored away for years. And so, I’ve dusted it off, tweaked and re-purposed it, and crow bared the yarn into this blog’s title.
The Old Black Horse pub, Mapperley, hosts a “knit and natter” group. A team of people, generous in time and spirit. A group that meets every week, stitched, embroidered and weaved together by a shared loved of knitting, nattering and fellowship. Over the last few years, their incredible and eclectic assortment of woolly bears, sheep and pumpkins, have been sold at fayres, events and even over the counter at the pub. Their relentless needle work has raised over £2000 for the Will Garvey Trust Foundation.
In appreciation of their efforts, a few weeks ago, we surprised them with a cream tea. The WTF team, served them sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes, tea, coffee and home-made scones. All was very greatly received. Though heavy on nattering, this particular afternoon for once, was light on the knitting.
The “knit and natter” group at the Old Black Horse are an example of a real purl of “well-being” wisdom. Whichever conjugation, you knit, they knit, we knit or I knit, the group all meet the five steps to well-being. They’re connecting, learning new skills, giving their time, all in the present, and judging by their impressive output of woolly merchandise, they must be pretty active. Sparks are flying off them there needles.
At WTF we thank them for their support and we are so pleased that they’ve adopted us as their charity. It’s good to knit and natter, innit!
