The Otley 800 People’s Tapestry

DATE

May 2027 – June 2028

LOCATION

Otley Common

TIMES

TBC

ADMISSION

Free

Helping stitch Otley’s history together

The Otley 800 Tapestry will be one of the centrepiece legacy projects of the Otley 800 celebrations, telling the story of the town through a spectacular hand-crafted work created by the community itself.

Made up of between seven and 12 large embroidered panels measuring approximately one metre by two metres, the tapestry will depict key moments from Otley’s history, from its earliest beginnings through to the present day. A final panel will look to the future, imagining what Otley might look like 100 years from now. This final section will be designed and created entirely by the town’s young people.

The completed tapestry will be displayed at Otley Common throughout the Otley 800 celebrations, accompanied by an immersive soundscape combining poetry, voices and sounds from across the town’s history.

A living legacy for Otley

The Otley 800 Tapestry will be far more than a collection of embroidered panels. It will combine community creativity, local history, sound and storytelling to create an immersive experience celebrating the town’s past, present and future.

Alongside the finished tapestry, visitors will hear an original poem written by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, accompanied by a specially created soundscape featuring the voices and sounds of Otley through the ages. Here’s what makes the project so special.

Every Stitch Matters

Everyone living in Otley will be invited to contribute a few stitches. Using digital technology, it is hoped people be able to identify exactly where their stitches appear in the finished tapestry.

Preserving Heritage Skills

The project will preserve the heritage craft of crewel embroidery while helping participants develop new skills, improve confidence and wellbeing, and connect with others.

Created by the Community

Led by Andrea Petch of The Otley 800 People Taprestry CIC and the Otley Sewing Collective, the tapestry will be shaped by artists, historians and residents. More than 120 volunteers have already registered to help.

Follow the project’s progress

The project is currently in the research, design and community engagement phase. Historical research is underway, volunteers are being recruited and the stories that will feature within the tapestry are being developed with the community.

Key milestones

Community historical research and story gathering

Final selection of the tapestry panels

Artwork and embroidery design

Community sewing programme

Recording of the immersive soundtrack and Simon Armitage’s commissioned poem

Installation at Otley Common

Public exhibition from May 2027 to June 2028

Project lead: Andi Petch, the The Otley 800 People Taprestry CIC