Firstly, like WORLD spinOUT DAY everywhere the day is an opportunity for 'fibre people' to gather together to tell stories and spin yarns; to exchange information and explore ideas; to renew old acquaintances; and to forge new friendships.

Secondly, in Bothwell, it's an opportunity to plan for The Bothwell SPINin the following year.

In even numbered years, the program for the following Bothwell SPINin is announced on WORLD spinOUT DAY– and a SPINin is always held in odd numbered years.

In odd numbered years, the 'old committee' announces the new planning committee for next Bothwell SPINin. Somewhat curiously, this happens on WORLD spinOUT DAY at The Bothwell SPINin.

Bothwell's celebration of WORLD spinOUT Day started out as a way of filling the emptiness between Bothwell SPINins. Now WORLD SPINout DAY – in March in the Southern Hemisphere & in October in the Northern Hemisphere – is typically a day of preparation and planning for Bothwell's next SPINin. All round the world people who plan to participate in Bothwell's next SPINin get together somewhere. WORLD spinOUT DAY is especially important for those anticipating traveling to Tasmania for the event or for people who plan to send a contribution to it. On the Northern spinOUT DAY this year – October 7 2006 – the program for The Bothwell SPINin 2007 is being announced.

A spinOUT is a small somewhat intimate affair and is always celebrated outdoors and typically in a domestic garden. A picnic lunch is usually a part of the day and often there is some kind of entertainment at the picnic. At various times during a spinOUT there are a range of competitions, impromptu fashion parades, show-and-tells, brain storms sessions, etc. going on.

It has become a tradition to erect some protective cover in the garden in case of inclement weather on one hand and for shade on those balmy early autumn days on the other. spinOUTS are always 'money-free-days' and if something cannot be done for nothing or via donated time it simply doesn't happen.

A spinOUT can be held anywhere outdoors anywhere in the world and the people attending the Bothwell spinOUT would like to hear from anyone anywhere who is organising a spinOUT – Southern or Northern Hemisphere – for 2006.

spinOUTS are social occasions and local community festive days. Visitors new to the 'SPINout idea' are encouraged to try their hand at spinning, weaving, knitting or some other fibre craft practice. Alternatively they are encouraged to play the growing number of SPINgames played at SPINins & spinOUTs

However, over the years a range of 'underground' spinOUT activities have also crept into the celebrations. In fact RECIPEswapsare often going on in the background. Likewise partners, offspring and relatives not into ''the fibre crafts' typically slip away after the picnic for a spot of sight seeing, fishing, golf, cricket or somethingorother. Customarily, it is these HANGERSon who lay out the picinic lunch while the spinOUT people get down to serious business!