Towns compete with Love

Local librarians are encouraging everyone to get knitting and donate to the Berrigan Shire libraries’ annual Wrap with Love quilting collection.Having started the knitted square collection at Tocumwal Library in 2008, it quickly became a rivalry to see which town could submit the most.Each year, the four Berrigan Shire libraries would collect the hand knitted squares, have them counted and sent to Wrap with Love Inc, who deliver aid to needy countries and those less fortunate.Former councillor Elizabeth McLaurin introduced a rose bowl trophy the year after the libraries started to donate to Wrap with Love.Her hope was to encourage more people to become involved in the program.At the end of each year, the winning town won bragging rights and held on to the trophy.Finley librarian Ros Rowe said while the rivalry between towns may have subsided, quilters remain enthusiastic.‘‘Each week ladies from each town would meet at their local library and knit little squares made into hundreds of beautiful rugs, sent overseas to spread our warmth and love to those less fortunate.‘‘Liz McLaurin of Tocumwal purchased a silver rose bowl to up the competition and egg on the local towns to compete. Toc and Finley were serious competitors for many years but there was lots of fun and laughter, amidst cups of tea.‘‘There were piles of rugs to be counted, these knitters were amazing. Nowadays Toc library are the main contenders and still meet to knit and natter.’’The organisation has been operating since 1992 and has since wrapped more than 414,000 people with quilts and blankets, in Australia and around the world.With only a few weeks left before the squares are counted, Ros is hoping her library can be victorious.‘‘I can’t help but think it would be great fun to get that trophy circulating again. Maybe next year we can get the competition back up and running.’’Library manager Anne Nevins will be counting the squares on September 24 before they are knitted into blankets and sent to Wrap with Love.