Introducing Stitching Ashbourne: A Celebration of Place, People & Stories

Stitching Ashbourne: A Celebration of Place, People & Stories

A brand-new community art project, Stitching Ashbourne, has been launched, inviting people of all ages across the town to come together and create a large-scale appliqué and embroidered textile artwork celebrating everything that makes Ashbourne special.

The initiative, supported by Ashbourne Methodist Church and a team of dedicated volunteers, will culminate in a striking (approximately) 2-metre-square textile work featuring Ashbourne’s most recognisable landmarks – from St Oswald’s Church and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School to the Gingerbread Café and the newly refurbished Market Square in full celebration mode.

Surrounding a central panel, more than 100 individually hand-stitched squares will showcase personal memories, stories, and celebrations from local residents, schools, and community groups – capturing Ashbourne’s spirit, past and present.

Project Aims
By Spring 2026, Stitching Ashbourne aims to:

• Celebrate Local Heritage: Honour the town’s cultural and architectural identity through a collective artwork.
• Bring People Together: Connect over 150 participants through 10 free, inclusive workshops in schools, community spaces, and public venues.
• Empower Through Creativity: Introduce and nurture textile art skills, encouraging everyone to share their connection to the town – no experience needed.
• Spark Local Pride: Reconnect residents with Ashbourne’s evolving story and celebrate the place we call home.

Timeline

• Workshops: 10 free workshops will run across the community until December 2025.
• Artwork Unveiling: The finished piece will be revealed in early 2026 at a special community celebration.
• Exhibition: The artwork will go on public display in two Ashbourne venues for at least 10 weeks in 2026.

Get Involved
There are many ways for people and groups to be part of this collaborative celebration:

• Join a Workshop – Stitch your own story square (all materials provided).
• Community Group Participation – Schools, clubs, and organisations are invited to contribute.
• Host a Workshop – Local venues such as cafés and pubs are encouraged to open their doors.
• Support Financially – Ashbourne Methodist Church has provided an initial grant of £564, with additional funding now being sought from local businesses, funders, and individuals. Contributions can be made via the crowdfunding page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/stitching-ashbourne.

A Shared Story, Stitched with Love
Stitching Ashbourne is more than an artwork – it’s a collective story told through needle and thread, celebrating the town’s people, history, and hopes for the future.

For more information, to get involved, or to discuss support opportunities, please contact: laura_Burrill@outlook.com