Stitching the South West Coast Path

AN exhibition of the South West Coast Path depicted in textile art is touring the region this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the West Country Embroiderers group.

Currently at Truro Cathedral, the exhibition of a number of landmarks, including St Michael’s Mount and the dramatic rocks on the north Cornish coast, will be coming to the Dorset Arts and Crafts Association annual exhibition in August and The Gallery Upstairs in Poole in October.

The tour, which began in Exeter, covers the 630-mile trail, the longest national trail in England, from its start in Dorset, around Devon and Cornwall, finishing in Somerset. There are 166 embroidered panels – the subjects and the interpretation were chosen by the individual artists.

The West Country Embroiderers group was started in 1973 to promote textile work. Members from across the region have illustrated the coast path landmarks using different stitching techniques. The panels are displayed consecutively, and a stitched map of the coastline has also been included.