Syd weaves his way to better health and an active mind

Precise work isn’t a new skill for Bolton Clarke Trevi Court resident Syd, 96, but it’s one that he has honed even more through his unconventional hobby of tapestry.

The former cabinet maker first took up the pastime over two decades ago in an endeavour to cheer up his grandson with a Thomas the Tank Engine piece.

“My daughter actually printed me a stitching of Thomas and it just went on from there,” Syd said.

“My grandson was very train conscious, so I also did a piece of the Flying Scotsman at King’s Cross Station with all the steam, and I think you can nearly smell the smoke looking at it.

“Once it was done, I went to give it to him and my daughter told me that he has given up on trains now so that was the end of that!”

Syd says he had learned both his patience and his precise fine motor skills during a lifelong career in carpentry.

“In England, I served my apprenticeship making pianos which is very precise work, but Australia never made pianos, so they didn’t require those skills.

“When I came here in 1951, I didn’t realise it at the time, but I was probably one of the best cabinet makers in the country - not because of me personally, but because of my apprenticeship.

“Because of these skills I learnt, I became very inventive in designing furniture and making machines, and I really enjoyed it.”

As for tapestry, Syd estimates he has made over 40 pieces for loved ones and continues to create the beautiful pieces of art.

“Throughout the years I have continued to get requests for different birthdays or gifts and because of that I’ve become more skilful, and my stitching now is near enough to perfect.

“I would say it’s not a thing you can teach; you can certainly share any elements of stitching but it’s all down to experience.

“You have to be adaptable to change, colour conscious, and be patient because it’s a very long job as the one I’m working on now has 40,000 stitches in it.

“Stitching is a lot of pulling, moving your hands and you’re forever using your brain.”