ROSSENDALE REVEALED
Barry Hyde, member of the Promoting Rossendale Partnership Board, is highlighting those ‘hidden gems’ that make Rossendale and its community distinctive. This week he will be looking at The THI Irwell Tapestry Project
As part of the Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative, the Training, Engagement and Communications Group has agreed a project with the potential to reflect Bacup’s history and heritage through textiles and closely engage the community with activities that will result in a product that could be owned by the whole community.
The project is entitled The Irwell Tapestry and will be created from small hand-made textile swatches made by members of the community that will be a visual and tactile creation that depicts aspects of Bacup’s history.
The TEC Group is looking for as many members of the community as possible to create a small fabric sample 10cms x 10cms, reflecting the colours, form and texture of your chosen area. The sample can be made using techniques such as knit, weave, felt, cross-stitch or print.
The final tapestry will be created by a local group using these fabric samples and will be in itself an interpretation of the pathway of the River Irwell on its journey from its source in Bacup through Stacksteads.
The TEC Group would therefore like to invite you to be a part of this unique and important Tapestry.
Your sample should reflect aspects of Bacup and Stacksteads. The sample does not have to be complex. Just think of the colours, textures and structures that best represent your image of Bacup or Stacksteads. Upon completion the tapestry will be on display at a local public building such as the library with the aim of finding a permanent home for it in the long term. The full length of the tapestry will be photographed and be available on digital media, including the THI website, Rossendale Borough Council website and on social media. For further information on how you, your group or school can be part of this unique Tapestry please contact Megan Eastwood at Bacup THI on meganeastwood@rossendalebc.gov.uk or on 01706 252480