In early October, on Friday the 5th, cake was cut and stories shared among members of the Busy Fingers group for its silver jubilee celebration. 

It was 25 years ago that Shirley Fox noticed that many parishioners at St George's Presbyterian Church were busy doing a lot of knitting and handcrafts at home, and saw an opportunity for people to share in these activities together. So she established the group in 1993 so that people could meet and enjoy each other’s company as they did their knitting and handcrafts together.

Called Busy Fingers, the group meets all year round on a Friday, unless a public holiday falls on that day, and members knit and crochet items which then go to charity groups such as the Auckland City Mission, Barnardo’s, Women’s Refuge, Presbyterian Support, Family Start, North Shore Women’s Centre, North Shore Hospitals Ward 14, Maternity and Special Care Baby Units, Red Cross (Migrants), Plunket and the Churches Market Shop. 

Current co-ordinator Sonia Fenton, who took over from Shirley last year after her 24 years' service, said the types of items knitted and crocheted over the years include fish and chip jumpers, hats of all sizes, rugs, scarves - both large and small, cardigans, teddy bears, bootees, twiddle muffs, twiddle sleeves, bed socks, jumpers and hat sets, prem sets, singlets and matinee jackets. This past year 1465 items were donated by the group to the above charities.

Sonia Fenton said: "The group is a vibrant one, with many nationalities represented - New Zealand, Australia, Iran, Iraq China and Korea - and members willingly share with one another how to knit and make items. We'd always welcome more 'Busy Fingers' to join us!"

The group meets on Fridays at St George's Presbyterian Church in Takapuna.