350 years of history recounted in a masterpiece of embroidery

Jan 31 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

AN UNUSUAL social history of the last 350 years has gone on display at Chester Cathedral.

The Quaker Tapestry celebrates key events from the 17th century, through George Stephenson’s trains and the Irish Potato Famine to the Slave Trade, the Crimean War, and Joseph Rowntree.

Around 40 of the 77 embroidered panels have travelled to Chester from their permanent home at the Quaker Tapestry Centre at Kendal, Cumbria.

Bridget Guest, manager of the Tapestry Centre, said bringing just part of the entire tapestry both gave those who cannot get to Kendal a chance to see it, and enticed others to visit it at its permanent home.

She said: “We don’t say it’s a history because it would miss out a lot of things, but it’s a celebration of Quaker experiences and insights over the last 350 years or so.”

The tapestry was the idea of a young boy from Somerset and his Sunday School teacher and was started in 1981 and completed over the next 15 years.

Since then it has inspired others to produce their own additions, although the original tapestry remains.

Each of the tapestry panel measures 25 inches (635mm) by 21 inches (533mm) and was created in the narrative crewel embroidery style of the Bayeux Tapestry.

The tapestry was made by around 4,000 men, women and children aged between four and 90.

Since its first public exhibition, the tapestry has travelled to 150 venues across the UK, Europe and America, attracting thousands of visitors to each venue.

Last year the 2007 exhibition at Worcester Cathedral was another success, with more than 11,000 people visiting.

The exhibition also includes personal audio guides, demonstrations, an introductory film, children’s activities and the Quaker Tapestry Gift Shop.

It is open to the public from tomorrow, February 1 until February 29 from 10am to 4pm, Mon-Sat. Free of charge to all visitors.