From an early age Mrs. Mole was taught pillow-lace work in the school at her native village of Harrold. “We used to work hard at the craft at school,” she said, “and then we would sell the lace by the yard to a shop in Bedford. I can’t go out much now in the winter, so I sit and make the lace. When I was younger I made lace tablecloths and lace edging for my children’s dresses.”

Mrs. Mole has kept up the art all through her life and has about ten different parchment patterns that have been in use for more than 80 years. She has still her original bone and wooden bobbins, which are engraved with numerous designs and names, and much of her spare time is spent in working delicate lace with deft fingers. Already she has made lace for 16 finely hand-stitched handkerchiefs, which she plans to give away at Christmas.

Mrs. Mole, who can also crochet, has in her possession several beautiful crochet-edged tablecloths. She came to Rushden when she was married at the age of 24. Her husband died in 1927 and since then she has lived with her daughter, Miss Gladys Mole.