Student's Art Legacy to Charity

Date published: 26 March 2009

A textile student has been fondly remembered by classmates who finished her work to help a good cause.
Ann Carter started making a patchwork quilt while enrolled on a course at Bury Adult Learning Centre.
Sadly, Ann died before it was completed, but one of her fellow students took on the task in her memory. It was raffled on March 24, and raised £205 for Cancer Research.

Ann was born in 1935 and trained as a teacher, serving as headmistress at Cams Lane Primary School in Radcliffe from 1983 until 1994.
On retirement, she took up patchwork and quilting with Bury’s adult learning service. She died in 2003 following a period of illness, during which she kept in touch with her textile class members.

After her death, her husband gave some unfinished pieces to the class. Among them was a cot quilt made from tiny hexagons, a style bearing the traditional name of Grandmother’s Garden.

Class member Wei Chen Hudson, a close friend of Ann, lovingly completed the quilt. Wei Chen, who also lives in Radcliffe, first met Ann many years ago at a quilting group at St Stephen’s Church.

Alicja Wygas, First Steps programme manager with the Community Learning Team, said: “Ann had a passion for learning. She was a perfectionist, very keen to learn new techniques, and her pieces were always completed to the highest standard.

“When Ann stopped coming to the class she left a big gap. We remember Ann as a good friend, and I’m sure she would have been pleased that one of her pieces contributed to such a good cause.”

The quilt was won by Alicia Doodson, also a textile and crafts student at Bury Adult Learning Centre.

For details of all adult learning courses, call 0161 253 5772 or 0161 253 7501. Alternatively, look via the council’s website, www.bury.gov.uk