Pilton.com. The Place, The People and The Pictures

Up • Our History • 2011 Diary • The Millenium Tapestry

As in most villages, the events for the year 2000 were planned well in advance and WI members wassailed, helped with pancake races, performed in a pageant, attended a mediaeval banquet and were photographed in the village photo. Our main interest, however, was the execution of the village tapestry. Research was undertaken into other community tapestries and it was decided that various individuals should be invited to embroider a picture of a chosen village building. These, when assembled, would give a visual history of the village of Pilton. The centrepiece of the tapestry is a comprehensive map of the village showing roads, footpaths, fields, hedges, buildings and includes the four old milestones within the parish. Most of the research and planning was done by Margaret Drew and Rita Ayres. Rita also embroidered the map - a huge undertaking - and Margaret was instrumental in producing the individual pictures, providing materials and encouraging our participation. We enjoyed many cosy winter evenings stitching in front of Margaret’s wood-burning fire. Forming a border around the map are the eighteen embroidered pictures, the work being done by WI members and other interested villagers. The tapestry has been worked in tent stitch on canvas with appropriate embroidery wools and although the materials are the same, the individuality of each embroiderer still comes through. The whole piece is about four feet by six feet, is framed and at present hangs in St. John’ s Church.

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