Community Outreach

Islanders are being invited to take part in an exciting new community project to create a Jersey version of the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

The project is Jersey Heritage’s contribution to the celebrations for ‘2027 Year of the Normans’, which marks the 1,000^th anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror. The tapestry – technically a narrative embroidery like the original – will share stories drawn from the Island’s Norman history (with focus on the women of the period) and eventually go on display at the Jersey Museum.

The original Bayeux Tapestry in France is 70m long in total and was created during the 11^th century to tell the story of William’s conquest of England. The Jersey tapestry, which is supported by the Government of Jersey, comprises nine panels each measuring 61cm x 80cm (over 7m in total) and will replicate as closely as possible the style of the original work using wool and linen.

Islanders taking part in the project will be asked to learn the medieval stitches used to create the Bayeux Tapestry and then use them during workshops to complete the Jersey panels. Primary schoolchildren will design mythical creatures to feature in the border of each panel, which will be stitched by secondary school pupils.

The two-year project is being led by Melissa Rodrigues, Jersey Heritage’s Outreach Curator. If you would like to be involved as a volunteer please email Melissa.Rodrigues@jerseyheritage.org

Drop in workshop dates and locations will be shared soon.

Image thanks to Jersey Evening Post.

Working with our local partners helps us to understand and connect with each other and with our Island – its amazing places, people and stories.

We’ve been working with the clients and residents of Andium Homes, Jersey Mencap, the Youth Service, Age Concern, Headway and La Moye Prison, just to name a few.

Some of the projects that we have facilitated have included taking our ‘What’s your Street Story’ talks to the residents of Andium Homes as a way of connecting locals to the areas in which they live.

We have run several art workshops with the members of Jersey Mencap, with the focus being on a local Jersey Artist or a painting from our collection.

There is also the opportunity to visit sites like the ‘Cold War Bunker’ that has been untouched since the 1980’s.