The Framework Knitting Museum has donated a square to Parliament’s COVID Memorial Quilt following an invitation from Rushcliffe MP Ruth Edwards.
Members of Parliament were asked to contribute a square to represent their constituency in the quilt which will then be displayed in Parliament.
Ruth thought that Rushcliffe’s contribution should represent it’s important textile heritage and approached the Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington.
Ruddington’s own heritage knitters is representative of those that gave rise to the lace industry that Nottinghamshire is famous for and part of Rushcliffe’s proud heritage.
Ruth said “there are so many talented volunteers at the Framework Knitters Museum and I felt they were the best placed to provide Rushcliffe’s contribution to the COVID memorial quilt which will honour the county’s lace production heritage which started in places like Ruddinton’s still working Framework Knitters yard.”
The final piece was created by local artist and Museum employee Helen Brownett, who drew inspiration from her place of work and the virus itself as she recreated an artist’s impression of the front gate of the museum with a “CLOSED DUE TO COVID” sign, surrounded by flowers that resemble the COVID virus itself.
Helen said “The idea came for the quilt square came from lockdown. The museum had to close like everywhere else. Despite the virus being a nasty thing, I found the images of it on TV to be interesting and colourful. As a keen gardener, I decided to combine the two and turn the image of the virus itself into a colourful creeping plant that spreads quickly”.
Ruth is due to deliver the square to Parliament when she returns to the House on Monday. From there it will be taken by Naomi Clarke from Bristol University who is putting it all together before it is displayed back in Parliament in honour of all those who have suffered during the pandemic.
The Framework Knitters museum thanked Ruth for having thought of them to contribute and is open to the public after renovations. It is one of the only places remaining in the country where you can see the living and working conditions of a Victorian framework knitter and their family.
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