Thank you for helping us bring splash of colour to opening day
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IN March the Cheltenham Trust invited the local community to be part of its vision to decorate and adorn its iconic venues with colourful bunting for when they were able to reopen and welcome everyone back.
Since then people across Cheltenham and further afield have been knitting, stitching and making bunting as part of the #letsmeetagain community project.
Today marks the start of the colourful results as the bunting goes up ready for Monday when we open our new outdoor cafes and tea rooms at Pittville Pump
Room and the Garden Bar and Skillicorne Gardens in Imperial Gardens.
The response from the community to the #letsmeetagain project has been remarkable, with many donations arriving at the town hall. We’ve encouraged makers to include their bunting story with their contribution, which will be collated ready for a community exhibition.
Many people have generously dedicated time and effort to make bunting. The trust is so grateful to everyone who has created bunting and played a part in ensuring that at least two of the town’s iconic venues will be a splendid sight on Monday as we start to welcome everyone back and we can meet again – safely.
One of those stories comes from Cheltenham artist Jane Ware, who made and donated a large amount of bunting from material she had stored away for years.
She said: “As soon as I heard about the appeal for bunting, I went up to my attic and pulled down all the boxes of fabric I had stashed away.
“Most of the fabrics I used were remnants from past projects, some came from my own dresses which were then used by my children as play clothes. Others included painting overalls and general dressing-up fabrics. I’ve been thrilled to be able to contribute to this great community project.”
Jane is a lifelong stitcher, who started making clothes for her teddies and dolls in the 1960s. Since then she’s made her own clothes, including her own wedding dress, and fancy dress costumes for her children. As well as bunting she’s been stitching colourful face masks during lockdown for friends. She’s now looking forward to visiting our venues to spot her many lengths of bunting decorating Cheltenham’s landmark buildings.
She said: “I cannot wait to see all the colourful buildings brought back to life with colour and creativity. They will make a great display for the public and help us all to celebrate the measured return to something approaching normal life.”
Thank you to everyone who has made and donated bunting. We look forward to welcoming you to our takeaway outdoor cafes at Pittville Pump Room and the Garden Bar and Skillicorne Gardens, and please do visit and enjoy coffee and cake or afternoon tea while you spot your bunting.