Methodist Tapestries Collection

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Methodist Tapestries Collection The Methodist Tapestries Collection will depict the history of Methodism and related local stories.

Its core collection is based round the story of High House Chapel in Ireshopeburn, now part of the Weardale Museum, where the collection will be displayed. Participation in creating panels is very much welcomed, both within the UK and across the world. Individuals and groups can get in touch with us at [email protected] or by leaving a message on our page.

Working a portrait is not the most straightforward thing for an embroiderer. Here are three panels which have succeeded!...
23/10/2026

Working a portrait is not the most straightforward thing for an embroiderer. Here are three panels which have succeeded! Lesley's 'Hopper, Chief Evangelist in the North Country'; Valerie's 'Harriet Tubman, Abolitionist'; and Chris' 'Susannah Wesley' each has its own style. Absolutely fab-u-lous!

Music! Many of us would find it hard to imagine a life - or a church service - without it. Over the course of Methodist ...
19/10/2026

Music! Many of us would find it hard to imagine a life - or a church service - without it. Over the course of Methodist history, many instruments have been used: pitch pipes could be used to help a cantor start the singing; accompaniments could be played on a wide variety of instruments, from violins to bass viols and many others. Eventually the organ became the default musical instrument. However, the human voice should not be overlooked - and without composers to write the music in the first place, the world would be a duller place!

A sideways thought - or perhaps a vertical one? Today we're looking at how our embroiderers have shown different styles ...
16/10/2026

A sideways thought - or perhaps a vertical one? Today we're looking at how our embroiderers have shown different styles of roof. Jacqui, on her 'Wesley visits the New Chapel, 1761', has taken a minimalist approach, outlining the stone flags which were used on many of the Weardale buildings. 'Gin Lane' worked by Fiona portrays a wooden shelter, and on 'Octagonal Chapel, Heptonstall', which was embroidered by Rosemary, we see a slate roof. For some variety, Chris' 'Mission in Haiti' has a traditional Haitian chapel built with local materials, including thatch for the roof.

Can you see today's theme? You may have to look carefully in a couple of these panels, but there's a machine of some sor...
12/10/2026

Can you see today's theme? You may have to look carefully in a couple of these panels, but there's a machine of some sort in each. Susan's 'Francis Asbury' has the millwheel for the Long Island paper mill. 'Timothy Hackworth, Railway Pioneer' embroidered by Helen, had to include the Sans Pareil engine. Liz worked 'Wesley's Electric Machine', and if you look at Chris' panel quite carefully, you will see a modern car on 'Mission in Haiti' which tells of the Rev Leslie Griffiths' work in that country.

You don’t get this at The British Museum with the Bayeux Tapestry.
10/10/2026

You don’t get this at The British Museum with the Bayeux Tapestry.

Methodist Tapestries Exhibition,Saturday 10th October and Sunday 11th October, 10am - 3pm,Ushaw House, Woodland Road, Nr...
10/10/2026

Methodist Tapestries Exhibition,
Saturday 10th October and Sunday 11th October, 10am - 3pm,
Ushaw House, Woodland Road, Nr Durham, DH7 9RH

Your last. chance to see this beautiful exhibition before it closes on Sunday

We have another recently-completed panel to show you, this time Linda's 'Tolpuddle Martyrs'! Here you can see the finish...
09/10/2026

We have another recently-completed panel to show you, this time Linda's 'Tolpuddle Martyrs'! Here you can see the finished piece, a close-up of the people and our artist David's original design. It shows a group of farm workers who, after protesting against wage cuts at a time of huge rural poverty, were sentenced to seven years' transportation. Four of these men were Methodists. After huge public protest, they were pardoned and were able to return home. You may be wondering why Linda has added some maple leaves in the corners - it's because five of the six Tolpuddle Martyrs eventually emigrated to Canada - a clever touch there from Linda :)

Just returned from my talk to King James Wi in Bishop Auckland. Once more, such a welcoming and friendly group of people...
08/10/2026

Just returned from my talk to King James Wi in Bishop Auckland. Once more, such a welcoming and friendly group of people. We over-ran a bit but I don’t think they minded, there was lots of interest and questions during the presentation and some very complimentary remarks about the project we are doing. If we get opened next year that is yet another group who want to see the collection. The talks are so easy to deliver, no script, I just have a conversation about the slides and each talk is a bit different from the last one. The hardest part was carrying the heavy bags from the car park to the classroom. i couldn’t get parked near the entrance and the room was at the far end of the building.
Thank you Ladies for an enjoyable night out.

Ushaw House October 5th - 11thi have to say that the simplicity of our tapestries mounted on table easels and carefully ...
08/10/2026

Ushaw House October 5th - 11th

i have to say that the simplicity of our tapestries mounted on table easels and carefully aligned down the length of St Joseph’s Chapel makes a wonderful display.

I love the reflections of the stained glass windows too.

Another panel completed - this one is 'Southlands' by Alison. We're always delighted to be able to include subjects whic...
05/10/2026

Another panel completed - this one is 'Southlands' by Alison. We're always delighted to be able to include subjects which have a personal connection for the embroiderer; Alison herself studied at Southlands College, as did two other family members. The corner motifs show just some of the subjects taught there - needlework, science, maths and music. Southlands was originally a women's college, and is now part of Roehampton University.

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The Hotts
Stanhope
DL131HD

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+447976238503

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