Ely Cathedral Hosts Famous Quaker Tapestry

Ely Cathedral's Lady Chapel will play host to the world famous Quaker Tapestry throughout February 2012, staging an exhibition that showcases the tapestry's impressive and captivating stitched tale of 350 years of social history.

Conceived by Anne Wynn-Wilson over 30 years ago, the Quaker Tapestry tells the story of the Quaker movement and its huge contribution to the political, economic and social development of Great Britain. It does this through 77 embroidered panels, which were created with the help of over 4,000 men, women and children from all over the world. Thirty-nine of the inspirational panels will be transported to Ely from their permanent home at the Quaker Tapestry Exhibition Centre in Kendal for the exhibition. 

The Quaker Tapestry was first created when a chance remark made by an 11-year-old boy at a small Quaker meeting in 1981 proved something of an inspiration to his teacher, Anne Wynn-Wilson. An accomplished embroiderer, Wynn-Wilson developed the idea of communicating the story and beliefs of the Quakers through the creation of a number of large tapestry panels. After staging an exhibition of her work in 1982, other designers were attracted to the idea and embroidery groups were formed.

Finally completed in 1996, the result is 77 tapestry panels of narrative 'crewel' type embroidery on specially woven wool cloth. With each panel measuring 25-inches (635mm) by 21-inches (533mm), it is testament to the passion and shared sense of community of the people that came together to create it.

The panels have already travelled to over 150 venues in the UK, Europe and America in the last 20 years and the 39 panels that will be exhibited at Ely Cathedral will be on display from January 31, 2012, running through to the last day of February. The free exhibition includes a film, audio guides, children's activities, gift shop and embroidery demonstrations. It will be open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.  

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