Over twenty local residents worked together to create the Burpham tapestry for the Millennium celebrations in June 2000.
Creation of the tapestry
The tapestry is based on a cartoon* created by Pauline Rawlings from an idea by Marjorie Mingo, with the tapestry work directed by Marjorie Mingo and graphics by Keith Crossman. Twenty-two local ladies and children aged ten to eighty completed the sewing in nine months ready to show at the Millennium Fair held in June 2000 as part of the Burpham celebrations.
The tapestry was sewn on canvas using various stitches. The threads are – wool, silks, silver, and gold.
*In tapestry art, a “cartoon” refers to a full-scale preparatory drawing often painted on cloth or paper, that craftspeople follow to create the artwork.
The tapestry depicts the following buildings and locations in Burpham, as they appeared in 2000.
Burpham Primary School
Burpham Court Farm
Bowers Lock
St Luke’s Church
Sutherland Playground
The Green Man
Sutherland Park with tennis, football, and cricket
Burpham Bowling Club
St Mary’s Church
Sainsbury’s
Church of the Holy Spirit
George Abbott School
Burpham Village Hall
BP Petrol Station
Burpham Shops
New Inn Surgery
The Anchor and Horseshoes
While most of these buildings are still standing a few have subsequently been demolished.
The surrounding perimeter diamonds are the logos of:
Diocese of Guildford
Burpham Women’s Institute
Burpham Primary School
Burpham Tennis Club
The Drop In
Neighbourhood Watch
Burpham Ladies Club
Sunshine Nursery
George Abbott School
Surrey Police
Burpham Football Club
Millennium Awards for All
1st Burpham Brownies
Surrey County Council
Burpham Bowling Club
Burpham Cricket Club
Wednesday Fellowship
2nd Burpham Brownies
Burpham Preschool
Millennium Festival
Burpham Women’s Guild
Burpham RC Church
Tom Thumb Nursery
U3A
Burpham Village Sign
Burpham Gardening Club
Burpham St Luke’s Guides
Guildford Coat of Arms
These needlewomen embroidered the tapestry:
Peggy Abbott
Valerie Boone
Debbie Boyd
Ros Bullock
Doreen Butcher
June Crossman
Marie Garvey
Mamie Grover
Evelyn Hamilton
Lorraine Harrison
Doreen James
Sara Latham
Marjorie Mingo
Joan Notley
Pauline Rawlings
Janet Rochester
Jackie Ring
Stephanie Ring
Jean Smith
Ann Tremeer
Ursula West
Marion Wilson
Laurie Squibb made the frame, and Mike Bailey made the cabinet in which the works hangs. In St Luke’s Church Burpham, Guildford.
The tapestry belongs to the community and is on display in St Luke’s Church, Burpham Lane,
GU4 7HL.
www.Burphamchurch.org.uk
