Thatcham Platinum Jubilee Tableau unveiled in tribute to late Queen Elizabeth II

A Platinum Jubilee Tableau depicting historic moments since the Queen’s Coronation has been unveiled.

The tapestry of work was the brainchild of former Thatcham mayor Jeff Brooks and events manager at Thatcham Town Council John Sackett.

Mr Brooks said he was looking for a way to create a lasting tribute to the late Queen.

The tableau represents the major events and enormous changes that have taken place locally, nationally and globally since the Queen acceded to the throne in 1952.

The art pieces have been created by individuals and groups across Thatcham including charities and schools.

The 45 panels are made up of various craft styles and materials from clay tiles and embroidery to photography, watercolour and even Lego.

The first row details events and key moments from the life of the Queen.

The second row details events and key moments from the UK.

The third and final row features historic moments globally.

The six metre long installation is mounted on a wall in the Frank Hutchins Hall in a room now named Jubilee Hall.

The final product was unveiled at the Thatcham Mayor Making event on Sunday, May 14.

Mr Brooks said the artwork is a reflection of the community of Thatcham and said the making of it brought communities together.

By the end, more than 50 people were involved in the creation of the 45 scenes.

“People came forward with ideas,” he said.

“Others were approached and I made it my mission to meet with as many as possible to encourage them and enthuse them to spend hours and hours of their time lovingly crafting their wonderful contributions.

“At no stage did I or any member of the team impose our thinking on the crafters.

“I suggested ideas but they needed to feel that they have artistic license to provide their vision in the piece.

“Whilst the tableau takes us right up to date – the Platinum Jubilee, the pandemic and the Ukraine war – it also depicts Churchill’s funeral, which can take us back to his life as a cavalry officer at Omdurman and as a reporter for the Times in the Boer War.

“So I can argue that the tableau covers 125 years.

“People will also have their favourites but every one of the panels has great merit and I am humbled by the skill and dedication that the crafters have given freely to this wonderful project and am so grateful to all of them.”