Local IGKT Branches
Branches with their own websites
- Solent (UK) Branch
- Surrey (UK) Branch
- IGKT-Pacific Americas Branch
- IGKT North American Branch
- IGKT Texas Branch
- Anchorage Knot Tyers (Alaska)
New Zealand Chapter
The New Zealand Chapter was formed in 1991. Our numbers have always been small and getting together in one place and at one time is very difficult.
Limited membership we may have, but we've had some influence on the Guild internationally. Our Patron - Professor Vaughan Jones - is a Guild Vice-President. Roger Carter, our first President, contributes regularly to "Knotting Matters" and is an authority on the History of Knotting and Cordage.
Our members are very active in various knotting aspects:
- Rod Orrah made remarkably fine bell ropes for the Royal New Zealand Navy's two new frigates
- Richard Hodges (of knot chess set fame) making a bell rope for the New Zealand Americas Cup team.
- Pat Cunningham made all the beautiful lanyards used in our rigging loft aboard the floating crane: "Hikitia" - our Headquarters.
- Professor John Turner makes use of mathematics to design intricate sennits and other decorative rope patterns.
Contact: Please refer to the membership handbook for details of the New Zealand membership.
UK - West Yorkshire Branch
The main objective of the West Yorkshire Branch is to show that knotting can be fun, and this is better when it is shared.
The Branch is regularly out with its display board at Canal Festivals. We put on displays in museums and support requests at other venues. We have a number of members who are very active in Scouting, from teaching basic knotting to Leadership training and Pioneering (building rafts, towers and bridges). Our meetings are twice yearly in March and November at a Leeds Scout Headquarters.
UK - East Anglian Branch
The East Anglian Branch decided in September 1997 to meet twice a year, and our usual venue is at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket - a good mid-point for members from as far afield as North Norfolk and Essex. We normally have one or two speakers on subjects of their choice, a refreshment break and then a general chat session. At past meetings we have had talks from: Ken Higgs (braiding and decorative ropework); Brian Walsh (lashings and their applications); Europa Chang (Chinese amulet knots); Brian Field (the regular knot tree).
UK - West Country Knotters
This branch covers the City of Bristol and the Counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire although we have some members from further afield.
We meet on the last Saturday of the Odd months, at the Almondsbury Scout hall on the edge of Bristol. This is a convenient central location for all of our twenty or so members and close to the motorways in all directions.
Anyone with an interest in knots is welcome to join us. The annual subscription is _£(7) payable at the July meeting; our Annual General Meeting is held in March.
We try to get a guest speaker for most meetings or have a theme for members to develop in a friendly, relaxed and helpful atmosphere.
During the year we make several appearances at various events and enjoy meeting the public and spreading news on knots and the Guild.
UK - Surrey Branch
We were the first county in the UK to have its own Branch of the Guild and we meet six times a year in the Guildford area. We have both speakers and practical sessions, plus Christmas and Summer social gatherings. We welcome anybody who is interested in knots, from somebody who has just discovered knotting, to the professional user who would like to know more. We can also provide a speaker to any other groups who have an interest, or would like to learn about knots and knotting.
Mid-Atlantic Region of the NAB
A local group of the IGKT-NAB has been formed in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The Mid-Atlantic Region of the NAB is currently meeting regularly in Maryland (just outside Washington, DC), and invites IGKT members or other knotting enthusiasts to join us at our meetings and events. Please plan on dropping by if you are in the area!
In addition to meeting regularly to discuss knots and knot books, and to compare works, we occasionally participate in a variety of educational events such as local Folk Festivals, Boating Education classes and discussions with local organizations who use knots in their work. We also hope to organize field trips to places of interest (such as some nearby maritime museums) in the near future.