Stitches in Time project on display at Three Rivers Museum

Three Rivers District, like many of local authorities around the country, was set up in 1974 by the Local Government Act of 1972.

To mark the 50th anniversary Three Rivers Museum undertook a project to present the history of the district in a novel way: a row of 50 pieces of ‘bunting’- flags, each depicting an episode from the story of the district, sewn by a range of members of the community.

Pat Hamilton and Sal Williams (front centre and right) with some of the needleworkers (Image: Sian Fenwick)

Led by Pat Hamilton and Sal Williams of the museum, who also designed the pieces, planning for 'Stitches in Time' began a year ago.

Plenty of people have been involved in helping the project come to fruition, enabling it to now go on display at the museum.

Sewers in action during the project (Image: Sian Fenwick)

Three Rivers Museum Trust chairman Fabian Hiscock said: “The local textile artist, Sian Fenwick has provided expert and artistic direction. And, most importantly, 44 local needleworkers have given their time, imagination and skill to create a work of art which illustrates the history of our district in an innovative way.

Bunting flag: Holy Cross Church, Sarratt (Image: Jim Forder/Croxley Camera Club)

“It’s not enough, of course, just to hang these wonderful pieces of needlework on the wall of the museum and let people admire them.

"This is about presenting local history and the bunting has been interpreted with a booklet, available to buy, giving a brief explanation of the story behind each of them, from the Jurassic period, by way of the Domesday Book, the first and only English Pope, William Penn, the coming of the Metropolitan Railway, right through to Harry Potter. The text has been researched and written by a different group of local people.

Bunting flag: Oxhey Chapel, South Oxhey (Image: Jim Forder/Croxley Camera Club)

“It doesn’t, of course, pretend to be a detailed history. Many other scenes or events could have been chosen - there was a lot of lively discussion as to what should be included!

“Part of the challenge was not only to cover events encompassing thousands of years, but also to incorporate all areas of Three Rivers as well, illustrating people, buildings and events, all in scenes which could be drawn and then sewn.

Sal Williams, Sian Fenwick and Pat Hamilton (Image: Sian Fenwick)

“The museum does not see ‘Stitches in Time’ as something just to hang in the museum: it will start there, but will be available, perhaps in photographic form, to go ‘on tour’ to schools, libraries and other public spaces.

“This has been a real community project, with local history groups, individuals and parish councils coming together to create what the museum believes is an original and attractive way to present local history.

Bunting flag: Charles Voysey, Chorleywood (Image: Jim Forder/Croxley Camera Club)

“Funding, for which the museum is very grateful, has come from Batchworth Community Council, Croxley Green Parish Council and County Councillors Phil Williams, Paula Hiscocks and Chris Lloyd, with contributions also from Three Rivers District Council.”

Three Rivers Museum is open from 2pm to 4pm, Wednesday to Friday, and 10am to 2pm on Saturday.