Stitchers sell face masks on High Street stall

Shoppers on the High Street in Friday's sunny weather made a beeline for a stall selling face masks.

The stall, set up by Sewing4Good under the Rotary Club banner, almost sold out of the home-made coverings. The wearing of face coverings, of course, becomes mandatory in shops from next Friday (July 24th).

The Sewing4Good volunteers were quick off the blocks early in the pandemic. Brought together via a Facebook page, they now operate under the Rotary Community Corps banner.

The stitchers have made scrubs and face masks for Milford Hospital and the Royal Surrey, as well as dentists in the Midlands and nursing homes in Farnham and Godalming.

This is the third time the group has run a stall in the High street to shoppers keen to observe the law, and protect themselves and others fom the virus.

Organiser Jennifer Mason told Nub News that people had been very receptive to the idea.

"We have had a good reception," she said. "We have had some lovely customers come: they were very grateful."

The items are made from old duvet covers and sheets, and come in a huge range of colours and patterns. They are supplied with a drawstring bag, enabling the wearer to take the items home once they have finished wearing them, ready for washing.

The masks cost £5: all the proceeds are donated to the Cellar Cafe and Art House at The Meath.

Jennifer said the stitchers had done an amazing job.

"Most of them just really love sewing," she said.

"These ladies have worked during weekends and stayed up to midnight some nights to get things done. Friendships have developed: It's been an experience for me to see them put themselves out for each other." Supply teacher Rachel Edwards told Nub News she had been making the items as a way of keeping occupied during the lockdown. "I hadn't sewn for years," she said. "I started with the hats and the bag, and then I moved onto masks." She has also been making masks with a transparent window, to help people who need to be able to lipread, and those around them. "I got the design from the National Deaf Society website and have been making them for family and friends," she said. The stitchers are still sewing, and there will be more High Street sales.