Two-year tapestry project for south Warwickshire village is now complete

The tapestry, known as ‘The Charlecote Wallhanging’, comprises 25 hand-stitched tapestry panels depicting well-known scenes from Charlecote.

The stitching project was masterminded by Charlecote residents Katriona Collins and Heather Gopsill, who were keen to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a project which would provide a lasting legacy and involve the whole village.

Local art graduates Pippa Stewart and Sam Quigley joined the project and designed the panels, which were then painstakingly transferred to canvas for stitching.

Jill Wilson, Charlecote Village Hall secretary, said: “Enthusiastic stitchers quickly signed up for their panels at the Charlecote Jubilee Celebration and by the time the autumn nights were drawing in, all 25 panels were in the process of being stitched with regular meetings to track progress, stitch and natter.

“Some two years on, the finished Wallhanging is now in its permanent home in Charlecote Village Hall. It will be on display to the public at a series of Open Days, following its official unveiling by Ann Rowley, 2013 winner of The Great British Sewing Bee.”

Visitors are invited to view the wallhanging and the exhibition telling the story behind the tapestry at Open Days on September 7 and 14, between 10am-4pm.

Notecards and 2015 calendars featuring panels from the tapestry will be on sale.

A further viewing will be possible at the annual ‘Made in Charlecote’ event on Saturday October 4.