The Wychwood tapestry

Jane Bowley writes

Created by the children from five schools, in total, the Wychwood Tapestry 2007 was displayed for the first time at the Wychwood Forest Fair at Capp’s Lodge on the 2nd September. The 30 metre long drawn tapestry is a unique creation and is probably the largest continuous work of children’s art in the county and possibly in the country.

Throughout the project we have received fantastic support and appreciation from the staff and children at the schools and from local councillors, landowners and residents of the villages. Local newsletters have carried items about the tapestry and Roy Noble from the Friends of Wychwood made a video record of the work at Chadlington School that was played at the Forest Fair in the Tapestry Marquee.

The same techniques were used at each school but the project team worked with the staff and children to identify the special characteristics of their own village. I started with a talk to the children about the Wychwood Forest and local wildlife and habitats then Amanda Hopwood, local landscape historian talked about landscape, land use and local employment related to the landscape.

Local artists Sally Howkins and Tom Ralphs Laman then worked with the children for two days in school to create the art work. The children started with pencil drawings on large panels of paper and when they were satisfied with their work they went over it with felt pens. The children were encouraged to stop to review their work and to discuss with each other how they could add to and improve their piece. It was most encouraging to see how a brief suggestion was picked up and developed with great rapidity and enthusiasm.