Ely Cathedral Photo: Photo courtesy Ely Cathedral Picture Library
Quaker Tapestry in Ely Cathedral
Last roadshow takes Quaker Tapestry panels to Ely Cathedral
Original panels from the Quaker Tapestry are on display for the first time in Cambridgeshire. The award-winning tapestry, which celebrates Quaker ideas, faith and practice from the seventeenth century to the present day, is on display in Ely Cathedral. The exhibition runs from 31 January until 29 February.
Thirty-nine panels, which is just over half the collection, have been chosen and the subjects covered include unemployment, industrial welfare, marriage, the Irish potato famine, the slave trade, banking, science, criminal justice, botany and railways.
There are links between the panels and Quakers from the East of England, including the work of Cambridge octogenarian Margaretta Playfair. Margaretta led the embroidery of several panels.
Ninety volunteers, most of whom are Quakers, have come from all over the country to help create the exhibition. They have stayed in the homes of welcoming local people. There are also Cambridgeshire-based volunteers.
Because important conservation work on the panels has begun recently, this will be the last time a roadshow like this takes place.
