Thatcham Town Council invite community to commemorate the Queen’s 70 year reign in Platinum Jubilee legacy tapestry

The Queen is to celebrate an unprecedented anniversary for a British monarch this February and Thatcham is celebrating creatively.

Thatcham Town Council is putting its own stamp on the commemorations and inviting the community to take part.

In celebration of Her Majesty’s 70 year reign, on February 6, the council is developing a large tapestry of crafts that mark her key events.

The 45 differently created scenes, can depict any “key event” in her life since becoming monarch, from the UK or even in further corners of the world.

Thatcham mayor John Boyd said that he was “delighted” to launch this project and that it will be a “lasting legacy” to the Queen.

The council has called on the people of Thatcham to get creative and has contacted local schools and societies to get involved too.

Designs don’t have to fit the traditional woven tapestry design; art pieces can be created through any medium including embroidery, photography, painting, felting, beading, weaving, cross stitch, patchwork, marquetry, mosaic, crocheting and applique.

Mr Boyd said: “It will be a lasting legacy to the wonderful reign of our beloved Queen.

“We want individuals as well as schools and clubs to come forward and offer to take a scene on.

“We plan to have it completed in 2022 and formally displayed early next year."

The finished depiction will be approximately 10 meters long and two meters in height.

The tapestry of art will be displayed in the town, in a museum quality housing.

Deputy town mayor, Jeff Brooks, added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for people with craft skills to have their work as an integral part of this excellent project.

“We can picture it and describe it as a tapestry, but we want all sorts of crafts to be represented rather than just woven material.”

It is anticipated that each scene will be approximately 0.7 of a meter square, 2 feet by 2 feet.