Villagers enjoyed a workshop about the craft of making corn dollies.

The ladies of the Irthington WI spent an evening yesterday (August 7) learning with corn dolly maker Margaret Rees, hearing about the history and folklore that surrounds them.

Ms Rees brought with her a large collection of corn dollies which she gathered on her travels, including exampels from Norway, Mexico, China, and Morocco.

The participants then made their own after watching a demonstration on how to do so.

Ms Rees explained that corn dollies go back roughly 8000 years to the advent of farming as a way to celebrate the harvest and bring people together.

"They have been made in most countries where grain is grown, and many farms had their own tradition - often the last sheaf of corn was tied into the shape of a maiden and kept in a place of honour so that the corn spirit might rest in it for the winter.

"Litte corn dollies, often in heart shapes, were hung in the kitchen to bless the family, or given for weddings or other special occasions," Ms Rees explained.

She said she's one of the 'very few people' still making corn dollies.

"They are dying out partly because the long and hollow varieties of corn from yesteryear have been replaced by short, stiff varieties - good against the wind, fine for bread, but not much use for corn dolly making," she said.

Margaret will bring her workshop to other parts of the UK, including the Leighton Buzzard Canal Festival, Exeter, and Glasgow.

If you would like her to visit your group, she invited you to email her at margaret.r.rees@btinternet.com.