A GROUP of lace makers gathered in Malmesbury last weekend to celebrate the town’s three century old association with the craft.

The event was organised by Alison Lewis, a volunteer at the Athelstan Museum, which sponsored the activities.

Alison said: “Lace has been made in Malmesbury for more than 300 years and was a true cottage industry.

“The census of 1851 showed 150 adults and 46 children listed as lace makers but numbers declined due to the invention of machine made lace.

“In Malmesbury, Canops Mill became a silk mill where women could earn more money than making lace.

Present at the event were specialist suppliers of threads from all over the country and Joanne Huntley, who gave a talk about the history of lace.