By Harry Mottram: It’s been described as’ awesome, intricate and beautiful’ by those who have seen it close up, but now the textile artwork depicting Axbridge’s Heritage Trail has gone on permanent public display in St John the Baptist Church in the town.
In a packed reception to celebrate the unveiling of the wall hanging on Saturday June 7th, 2025, Judith Strange opened the ceremony by welcoming residents saying the project had been the ‘brain child’ of Margaret Cowie. She was particularly impressed by Margaret’s use of a domestic sewing machine used on the 2 metre woollen fabric..
The unveiling fell to the Reverend Alistair Forster who said he had been allowed a sneak preview and was very impressed with the intricate detail and welcomed the framed textile artwork as a permanent fixture in the church’s community hub. And it is fair to say there were a few gasps of astonishment as the assembled audience finally could view the framed textile in its new display case.
Margaret Cowie thanked everyone who had helped to make the project a success. “It’s been two and a half years in the making,” she said, “an important part of my life and those of my fellow stitchers who have become a close group of friends as well.” She added that some of the stitchers hadn’t picked up a needle and thread since they were at school which made the achievement all the more impressive.
The women behind the project were Margaret Cowie, Tara Lifton, Stephanie Teychenne Gall, Lynn Howes, Pam Ryan, Judith Strange, Barbara Wells, Sue Rushworth, Sally Batt, Tricia Clark and Wendy Kirk.
The project came off the back of the heritage trail in the town which opened in 2022 – an initiative driven by The Axbridge Action Group, Barbara Wells and Margaret Cowie to celebrate and showcase the town’s ancient and historic buildings. The trail features blue plaques on the featured buildings with QR codes which unlock their history via a mobile phone.
“We selected different images of the buildings using a variety of stitching techniques,” explained Margaret, “and felt the church as a Grade 1 listed building which is not part of the trail was the most appropriate location for the hanging.”
Some of the images included a blue bottle for the Old Drug Store, a lion motif for the Lion Inn, a policeman’s helmet for Peeler’s Court, and the town’s symbol of the Lamb and Flag denoting the town hall – with each detail depicted using different techniques. These included felt work, wool, cotton, embroidery and applique in the artwork which measures over two metres in length and one metre high.
She thanked the church, the Jack Todd Trust, The Clark Foundation, The Mendip Hills Fund and the local community for their financial support.
The Mayor Pauline Ham then led a round of applause.
For more on the town’s heritage trails visit https://www.axbridgeheritagetrails.com/
Axbridge Review is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
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