HERITAGE enthusiasts are stitching the past together by using a tapestry to tell the stories of their communities.

‘Threads across the County: Rural Reams’ is a textile skills project that aims to celebrate local history in the form of six tapestry panels.

The colourful designs, stitched by local people, will tell the stories of rural communities in the old county of Renfrewshire, which took in parts of modern day Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

Nine areas – Bishopton, Eaglesham, Kilbarchan, Kilmacolm, Linwood, Lochwinnoch, Neilston, Quarriers Village and Uplawmoor – are involved.

Organisers believe the initiative will help to build stronger and more inclusive rural communities, inspiring and connecting people, providing learning and promoting both heritage and traditional skills.

Mary McKeown, chair of the Renfrewshire Tapestry Group, said: “Stitching is great fun and it will be fantastic to see the wonderful artwork created as a legacy for communities to treasure and showcase to the rest of the world.”

The project will give 780 people the chance to learn about the traditional skills of sewing, as well as providing opportunities for 40 people as volunteers.

Six unemployed young people will gain practical experience of film recording and learn about events management as they help to compile a mini-movie of the project’s progress.
Organisers hope to raise £2,000 to cover the costs of materials for the tapestry.

A crowdfunding campaign – hosted at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-tapestry-of-renfrewshire-rural-reams#start – is running until March 26.

A spokesperson said: “Donations will allow the purchase of materials crucial to making, storing and stitching tapestry panels and other stitched artworks.”

To get involved or find out more about the project, visit www.renfrewshiretapestry.org.uk