As the evening unfolded at our Christmas Social we were entertained by Jonathan Huggins, an Origami expert, and his twin teenage daughters Shannon and Georgina.

The first thing Jonathan told us was that he works with the Chinese method of Origami, also known as 3D Origami, which uses small pieces of folded coloured paper that slide together to form modules and shapes.

In 1993, a group of Chinese refugees were detained on the ship Golden Venture and held in an American prison, where they began making elaborate models using traditional Chinese modular paperfolding using materials such as magazine covers, and then these models were given to those helping the refugees and sold at charity fundraisers. Media coverage of the refugees helped popularize this traditional Chinese modular folding worldwide, which became known as ‘Golden Venture folding’.

We first had to learn how to make the basic triangular modules, and then Jonathan and his very talented daughters helped us each to create our own Origami flower from multiple modules. After this – which was fun and took a great deal of concentration, we had the chance to buy some of the very attractive and colourful Origami models which Jonathan and the girls had made, and which were on display for us to see. They donated 10% of these takings to Capel Ladies Club.

Then it was time for the tasty buffet, after which we each chose our Secret Santa gift from the sack. The Christmas multi-prize raffle was drawn, and finally came the Members’ Draw for the well-stocked Christmas Hamper, which was won by Pat Bradford. An enjoyable evening, which ended with a piece of advice from Jonathan Huggins – “Don’t water your flowers, Ladies!”

Our next get-together is the AGM when we will select our new Committee.

– Sue Woolgar