A LIFE LACE ORDINARY – HOW MOVING FROM THE CONTINENT TO THE COTSWOLDS AND SHARING A TALENT FOR LACE MAKING RESULTED IN A HAPPY FUTURE SEWN UP

“I guess my life has been what can only be described as eventful from the start,” said Mrs Mattlé. “I was born in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, but during World War 2 – and when I was only five and half years old – I was sent to a convent on Dartmoor. My mother moved to Torquay in Devon, so I consider it as my home. Life moved on and I married a local farmer which unfortunately only lasted seven years, but I finally found and married my husband who originated from Switzerland – and then life really started to change!”

Mrs Mattlé’s husband held a role that involved extensive travel, so much so she has travelled the world several times over.

“I’ve lived in many places around the world including Milan, Brussels, Zurich, Provence, Paris and more! We moved every eight to ten years which resulted in me picking up many languages, but I never mastered them fluently due to the frequency of our moves. I did however learn to speak Swiss German after living in Zurich and I can also speak French. I completed most of my shopping trips using French, German or English, so I certainly managed to get by conversationally.”

Mrs Mattlé’s family grew immediately from her second marriage with a stepdaughter who now lives in Belgium and her stepson who lives in nearby Chipping Campden.

“It’s due to my stepson that I now live here in Stow-on-the-Wold, he’s certainly closer to me than the South of France and it was both him and my daughter-in-law that chose my apartment here at Beechwood Park. I’ve certainly felt a shift in lifestyle moving from a very large home, but they were keen for me to be closer, and I do understand their concerns, plus, I must admit Stow-on-the-Wold is a beautiful place to live!”

Now settled in her three-bedroom apartment at Beechwood Park, Mrs Mattlé is beginning to share her talent with other residents’ keen to learn a new skill.

“My passions are lacemaking and embroidery, and I’ve taught hundreds of students all over the world. I have to admit that I’m still not fully unpacked since I moved here – I have so many lace and embroidery patterns, books, thread and equipment, it’ll certainly take me a good while! I will give items to the Royal School of Needlework and museums borrow from me too. A book was created in France which contains lots of my lace, alongside many of my pieces being part of Belgium and Dutch lace collections too. I’m keen to start up a club here at Beechwood so I can share my passion, and it gives me a reason to unpack more of my belongings to share too!”

“I do miss my friends on the continent, but I’ve met lots of friendly people here already and many have shown an interest when I’ve been sewing in the hobby room. It’s fun to share my passion and lace is easy to make – much easier than knitting as its only four movements, the thread and pattern changes – you only need to know your right from left and be able to count to four!”

Mrs Mattlé also spent time working in the Chanel workrooms in London, and is keen to keep up with her sewing daily as it’s good for her joints, she’s taken on the role of inhouse seamstress and is currently re-making a blouse for a fellow resident. 

“I’ve been told I should charge for my creativity but that’s not something I feel comfortable with, so it’s been suggested I’m thanked with red wine! I do love a glass or two so I’m very happy with that in return for my sewing skills.

“In addition to lace and clothes I love making ‘pocket friends’ – they’re little animals I knit or make out of fabric or suede. I used to knit tiny pocket bears for my stepchildren and their friends at school for when they needed a little friend to talk to. My creations were recently discovered by Elle who is part of the Beechwood Team – she saw me put my hand in my pocket and pull out a tiny newt I’d made! I told her how he lived in my pocked and she loved the story so much that I gifted my newt to her, and he now lives in her son Ted’s pocket! Ted is the minibus driver here at Beechwood Park so I’m happy the newt is still close by!”

Alongside Mrs Mattlé’s passion for lace making and sewing, she has also embraced many activities on offer at Beechwood Park including trips out to Stratford Upon Avon to the theatre and ballet, visits to coffee shops and lunch venues, she’s booked tickets to go and watch a male voice choir perform and is a keen attender of the quiz night – she’s even been master-of-quiz-questions once or twice too!

“I really am enjoying everything that’s on offer here – and the amenities in the area are great too. I was concerned about what I’d read about the NHS whilst in France but I’m happy to report our local doctor’s surgery is impeccable and I can’t praise the staff there highly enough. I have to mention the team here at Beechwood Park too – they really are a joy to be around, and I couldn’t ask for any more from them. Their friendly demeaners and keenness to help is wonderful and I love a chat and coffee with them too. I’m happy to say I love my new life in Stow-on-the-Wold and must now go and finish off my unpacking!”