A THATCHAM woman has been named a ‘Singer Sewing Hero’ after nationwide competition in partnership with Hobbycraft and BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee.

Marion Scott-Baker, who is making it her mission to promote sewing, has been named as one of three UK Sewing Heroes for their work in supporting their local communities through sewing.  

Marion was named, by Singer Sewing Machines, after a nationwide request for nominations in partnership with Hobbycraft and was honoured at a lunch in London with Patrick Grant and Esme Young, judges on the BBC programme The Great British Sewing Bee. 

She hopes to promote the physical and mental benefits of crafts, and has raised almost £3000 for Mencap through sewing events.

Marion, who is the former deputy and head teacher at Inhurst House & Cheam Schools, spent 28 years of her 40-year career running sewing classes.

These classes were introduced as a way to get young children into sewing whilst also improving their fine motor skills. 

“I regularly run a number of sewing workshops locally in the area and I am working, in conjunction with Mencap to organise a large Stitching Event in November this year,” says Marion.  

Marion said the first Newbury Stitch Fair raised almost £3000 for Mencap and hopes to run larger events twice a year.

Fashion designer and judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, Patrick Grant, commented: “The stories of these three sewers are inspirational and reflect the enormous contribution that amateur sewers around the country are making to their communities every day.

“It’s not an exaggeration for Singer to call Marion, Lydia and Nicola heroes and their local communities as well as the whole sewing community should be very proud of them and all the other amazing nominees.”