Goostrey villagers create tapestry to mark King Charles' Coronation

Goostrey residents of all ages have spent almost a year painstakingly creating an embroidered tapestry to capture every aspect of life in the village.

The wall hanging depicts various groups, clubs, organisations, buildings and listed properties.

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From left, Pat Alston, Mark Barker and Ann Thorp with the tapestry (Image: John Williams)

Centuries old landmarks are stitched to the background of a map drawn by the local footpath group and took hundreds of hours of meticulous needlework.

The idea to celebrate the royal occasion came from Jodrell Side WI.

Dozens of villagers with sewing skills, including ladies of Goostrey WI, pupils from the school and individual sewers rallied round to help.

The embroidered tapestry captures all aspects of life in the village of Goostrey (Image: John Williams)

Debbie Goldsmith, a local artist whose studio is in the Victorian station's restored former booking office and waiting room, worked with pupils at Goostrey Community School.

She drew images for the hanging and three pupils contributed handsewn pictures.

Volunteers spent hundreds of hours painstakingly sewing pieces for the tapestry (Image: Jodrell Side WI)

Debbie said: "It has taken a year to do and the result is stunning and embraces the whole of the village and was also an exciting and massive project for the school.”

Goostrey's finished work was unveiled in the village hall where it is on permanent display.

Newcomers to the village are included in the textile work of art, such as the Turkish barbers, the pharmacy and the mini-market owned by Mr Kumar and his family.

A labour of love as every stitch was made by hand (Image: Jodrell Side WI)

Margaret Kettle, the well-loved former postmistress and shop owner known as the ‘Queen of Goostrey’ is remembered.

She was among the first to receive a card from the new King congratulating her on reaching her century.

Sadly, she died shortly after her 100th birthday.

The coronation project was supported with funding from Goostrey Parish Council and the Community Rail Partnership, whose local area chairman Mark Barker cut the ribbon to officially unveil the work.

Ann Thorp, Jodrell Side vice-president, said a team of 50 began work last April and also included members of Goostrey WI and pupils from Goostrey school.

Ann said: "We feel very proud of the finished work and people who have seen it have said it is marvellous.

“We have been amazed and delighted at the response and support from the village and especially the schoolchildren who loved making their contribution."

Mark Barker described the wall hanging as a tribute to the work of the people involved and commended the way it had brought all the community and schoolchildren together.

Mark said: "It is a work of Goostrey and there are a lot of contributions from a lot of people.”

Jodrell Side president Jean Webb added: "It has been wonderful how everyone came together to do their bit towards the wall hanging and we have had some marvellous feedback.

“I don't know how many hours it took but I spent 200 hours on it and I am only one person."