The Lake Ainslie Weavers and Craft Guild holds monthly meetings at Scotsville School of Crafts. New members are always welcome!

Current Board:

President:   Eileen Rickard
Vice President:   Eileen MacNeil
Secretary:   Peggy Gillis
Secretary (alternate):   Elaine Panuska
Treasurer:   Cate Lake-Thompson
Program Coordinator:   Verna MacMillan

Anyone interested in becoming a member, or in registering for any of our classes, can contact us for further information.

History of the Guild:

• In May 1984, the Lake Ainslie Historical Society agreed to sponsor the Lake Ainslie Weavers. A letter of proposal was written to the School Board to get permission to hold weaving classes in Scotsville School, known as the "Scotsville Nature Centre." Eveline MacLeod agreed to come from South Haven on Saturdays, for 10 weeks, to instruct the eager students in 1984, 1985 and 1986.
• Joan Sutherland, assisted by Verna MacMillan and Jessie MacDonald, taught from 1987-1993. Scotsville School was turned over to the Municipality in August 1990 but the Guild was allowed the same space until November 1990, when the power was disconnected and the building was closed for the winter.
• The Guild was registered under the Societies Act as the Lake Ainslie Weavers and Craft Guild in 1991 (#2064737).
• The Guild petitioned the Municipality and was given the building for a nominal fee in February 1991.
• In March 1991, the weavers met at Scotsville to begin classes only to find that the roof was leaking badly and the looms and equipment had to be removed immediately or be damaged. They exhausted possibilities for rent free space and decided they would have to raise funds to rent a room in the upstairs of Ainslie Builders. This amount of money proved to be difficult to raise and when the weather warmed in June, the Lake Ainslie Historical Society decided to allow us to move our equipment upstairs in the barn loft and Summer Weaving Classes were held there.
• The Guild was fortunate to receive an E.C.B.C. grant of $22,000.00 to cover part of the cost of replacing the leaking flat roof with a pitched roof, replacing the old electric heating system with an oil furnace and replacing the south wall of the building. The wall had rotted from the leaks and 6 windows had to be replaced. Volunteer labour was used to re-lay the raised tile, and clean and paint the walls.
• The Guild was able to in move back to the school which was renamed "The Scotsville School of Crafts", in time for Spring classes in 1992.
• In 1993 a variety of classes were introduced and each year new courses have been organized.
• Verna MacMillan instructed weaving in 1994. Joan Sutherland continued, assisted by Verna MacMillan from 1995-1996, and assisted by Eileen MacNeil in 1997. Eileen MacNeil began Instructing in 1998 and continues to teach Spring and Fall Weaving classes.