After last year's call-out for volunteers to help with simple sewing jobs and cataloguing the wardrobe store, Bolton's Octagon is asking for new additions to its team.
Each week, the volunteers have helped by sewing labels into garments from more than 20,000 items in the theatre's store, so far completing more than 3,300 labels, and assisting with the Octagon’s costume sale in July 2023, which raised 2,696.80.
Volunteer, Sue Charlton said, “it’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and I’m never happier than when I’ve got a needle in my hand. I love sewing and fabrics and I love being with people who enjoy the same things and I’ve loved the company. We’ve got to see some fantastic costumes, it’s lovely to see clothes from through the ages. It’s good fun, we have a laugh, so I’d definitely say to anyone to come along.”
Su Newell, Wardrobe Manager at the Octagon, added, “we are so thankful to our wonderful team of volunteers who have been working with us over the last 12 months, it is a joy to welcome them every week. It was a very daunting process when we first approached the challenge of cataloguing every item in our store, and we simply could not have accomplished what we have so far without all their hard work, they are an invaluable part of our team.”
The wardrobe volunteers meet most weeks on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, 2–5PM. To express an interest, e-mail [email protected].