The Pirton Millennium Screen Project - by Penelope Siddons

How it all began...
Inspiration for the Millennium Screen came to me on a French cycling trip with my husband Edward. The highlight of this holiday was a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry. I was amazed by the size, colours and intricacy of this magnificent work which has lasted almost a thousand years and wondered, not only how it had been designed and constructed but also about the women who sewed it – who they were and how they lived.

On returning home I began to think of the possibility of creating a long-lasting piece of work to mark the Millennium in Pirton. Nothing as ambitious as the Bayeux Tapestry, of course, but something which would involve as many people as possible and which would demonstrate the wide variety of interests in this village. I also thought that future generations might like to know something of the people involved in the work and how it was designed – hence the Record Book and of course these Web pages.
 
Getting Organised
Initially I talked to Susanne Welch and from this grew a “Co-ordinating Group” consisting of ourselves, Juliet Alexander, Sheila Gibbons, Margaret Granger and Sue Kennedy. (Margaret’s husband Cyril was later to provide invaluable help by designing the supporting frame – his comments appear later in this Record Book). 

When planning the project there were several factors which we felt were important. Firstly, it should be open to anyone who wished to be involved, regardless of experience. Secondly, that participants should be free to choose their own topics within the broad subject of what Pirton meant to them. Lastly, because we felt it important that the finished work should be a coherent whole, a unifying colour scheme and shape were essential.

A short note in the Parish Magazine and several telephone calls resulted in the first meeting of the Pirton Needlework Group attended by nearly 30 people. Many signed up on the spot to take part and some even decided on a topic right away. This number grew as more people heard about the project from friends until eventually over 50 people and organisations were involved stitching tapestry sections and collages, designing and building the frame, or providing sponsorship.

We received financial support from several organisations in Pirton and the Methodist Church agreed to be caretakers for the screen. An alphabetical list of all participants is included at the end of this Record book. 

This page was last modified on December 11, 2011
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