A group of embroiderers gathered at St Edmundsbury Cathedral today to celebrate 20 years since their artwork was installed at a special service in February 2006.

The wool and silk tapestry was thought up by former Dean of St Edmundsbury, the late Very Revered James Atwell. It depicts the Shrine of St Edmund, which was at the heart of the Abbey of St Edmund and inspired pilgrims to visit from all over Europe. It is based on an illustration from a The Lives of Ss Edmund and Fremund, a book by the Bury poet-monk John Lydgate which was completed in 1439. The book was given as a gift to 12-year-old King Henry VI and was a commemoration of the King’s visit to the Abbey which lasted from Christmas 1433 to Easter 1434.

The tapestry, which shows the boy-king kneeling before the shrine of St Edmund was created by 27 embroiderers who gave up hundreds of hours of their time to complete it. It is made up of 64 individual pattern pieces and was embroidered in three sections using close to a million stitches. The project, from idea to completion, took over five years.

The tapestry has been hanging in the Cathedral since its installation 20 years ago. It is currently situated at the top of the song school steps, which is where the group gathered for their reunion photo. Four of the original 27 came along to the Cathedral to celebrate their work and catch up with one another.

The Very Revered Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury, said, “Our Cathedral is so lucky to have a community that is so skilled, creative and generous with their time. Our Shrine of St Edmund tapestry is an amazing piece of artwork that not only shows a pivotal moment in the Abbey’s history but also shows the love and care that our volunteers have for the Cathedral and its community. I am so grateful for the time they spent on this project two decades ago, and the pride they show in their work by returning today to celebrate it.”