Millennium Embroidery

On a sponsored bicycle ride in 1997 for Hampshire Historic Churches, Cathy Clayson saw examples of embroidered panels in some of the churches she visited. The idea struck her that such an embroidery would be a fitting way for East Meon to mark the Millennium. All Saints was the most appropriate place for displaying the embroidery and Cathy obtained the support of the church at the outset….. The embroidery was created over eight years, the work of a large team of needlewomen and men, and children. It portrays the village, in a number of individually crafted portraits of houses and activities. A leaflet describing the contents of the embroidery is attached as a PDF. (The names of the ‘artisans’ involved in its creation are listed here.)

Three sections illustrate the original team designing the embroidery and the team working from home, some examples of their work, and thirdly the assembly of the individuals’ work onto the large canvas and its framing, with photographs of the thank-you party and the final dedication.

Another section follows the carpentry and joinery of Steve Lamont in constructing the oak frame for the Embroidery and, behind it, a Vestry unit .