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Threads of Community: Ashbourne Makers Tell Ashbourne’s Story

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Thanks to the incredible contributions of participants and volunteers, Stitching Ashbourne is blossoming into the meaningful, collaborative artwork it was always envisioned to be, an inspiring testament to the creativity and heart of this community. More than 170 people have contributed their creativity, memories and love for Ashbourne to this growing work. The process has brought together the youngest stitchers experimenting with thread for the very first time, those rediscovering skills from childhood, and lifelong makers sharing their experience. Every single square adds depth, character and meaning to the collective story being told.

This community-led project has been made possible through generous support from funders including Ashbourne Methodist Church, St Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne Arts, Ashbourne Town Council and The Rotary Club, whose combined contributions of £2,478 enabled materials to be purchased and workshops to be offered free of charge. Local venues and businesses have also played a vital role, donating workshop spaces valued at more than £5,000. St Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne Craft & Chat, House of Beer, Sticky Fingers, Ashbourne Library, Ashbourne Town Hall and Betty’s Sewing Box have all opened their doors and helped the project flourish.

Further donations, £265 from the crowdfunder and workshop donation tubs, highlight the generosity of the wider community. BUT!!! To bring the project to completion, an additional £2,754 is still needed. These remaining funds will support the delivery of the final workshops, administration, assembly and installation of the finished piece, as well as a hoped-for unveiling event that will bring the whole community together to celebrate. Contributions can be made via the crowdfunder or by contacting me directly.

As the creative phase progresses, stitched squares are being gathered ahead of the next stage of the journey. Once collected, the Central Panel Sewing Circle, an incredibly skilled group of local stitchers, will continue detailed work through December and January. Construction workshops are planned for February at Betty’s Sewing Box, where the final artwork will be assembled with care and craftsmanship. (If you’d like to help, please email laura_burrill@outlook.com

The completed piece is scheduled to be unveiled in the spring, coinciding with the opening of the newly refurbished Ashbourne Methodist Church. Once the date is confirmed, invitations will go out to everyone involved. After the unveiling, the work will embark on a tour of Ashbourne, with planned displays at St Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne Library, the Ashbourne Heritage Centre, House of Beer, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School and St Oswald’s Primary School. Interest from additional venues, businesses and community organisations is warmly welcomed to allow the artwork to reach as many people as possible.

Behind the scenes, a remarkable group of volunteers has helped bring the project to life. Alice, a University of Derby student on placement, has played a crucial role in supporting workshops. Catherine Hart contributed her expertise in working with children to deliver a special session at St Oswald’s Primary School. Clare, Jackie, Sue and the Ashbourne Craft & Chat team have ensured workshops ran smoothly—setting up spaces, serving refreshments, and helping manage busy sessions with warmth and enthusiasm.

As the squares, stories and stitches come together, the true essence of the project becomes ever clearer. Stitching Ashbourne is more than fabric and thread: it is a celebration of local culture, shared heritage and the deep connections between people and place. What began as a simple idea has grown into a living tapestry of the town—a collective artwork woven from hundreds of voices, memories and moments. It stands as a testament to the creativity, generosity and community spirit that define Ashbourne.

St Oswald’s Church Joins the Stitching Ashbourne Story

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I am absolutely thrilled to share that we’ve received a generous £600 grant from St Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne, through their Community Fund. This wonderful support is a timely boost to the Stitching Ashbourne project, helping us continue to bring people together from across Ashbourne and beyond to celebrate our town, our creativity, and the sense of community that makes this project so special.

A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone at St Oswald’s Church for believing in the project and helping us ensure we can include everyone that wants to get involved. Your support makes a real difference, ensuring workshops are free, accessible and fueled by biscuits!

St Oswald’s joins our fantastic group of funders and supporters who have helped us get this far: Ashbourne Methodist Church, who generously provided seed funding, early guidance and continued support; Ashbourne Arts, for sponsoring Helen Yakutina, our fantastic project photographer who is capturing and sharing our story so beautifully; and House of Beer, Sticky Fingers, Ashbourne Library, Ashbourne Town Hall and Betty’s Sewing Box, who have all opened their doors for workshops, enabling us to provide variety and accessibility to all.

Square: St Oswald’s by Julie Burgess

Together, this amazing network of supporters has helped more than 140 local people take part so far and we’re only halfway through the project! As we continue, we’re not only seeking further funding to help us deliver more free and accessible workshops but also looking forward to the big unveiling and celebration event. It’s set to be a wonderful moment for the whole community, a chance to come together and celebrate this incredible piece of collaborative art that captures the spirit of Ashbourne.

We’re still fundraising to reach our target, and every contribution, big or small, helps us keep workshops free and open to everyone. £5 helps us offer tea, biscuits, and a welcoming space where creativity and conversation flow. £10 covers the materials for one participant or an at-home stitching pack. £200 funds a full workshop, helping more people join in and share in the joy of making something together.

If you’d like to be part of the next chapter of Stitching Ashbourne, we’d love to add your name to our Supporter Spotlight Gallery of Fame. You can get in touch with me at laura-burrill@outlook.com or donate via our crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/stitching-ashbourne.

Every stitch counts, and thanks to your kindness, we’re stitching a story that truly belongs to Ashbourne.

140 participants and counting: Ashbourne is coming together to create something special

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What an incredible few months it’s been. Stitching Ashbourne has already brought together more than 140 participants, aged from 6 to over 60, in a joyful celebration of creativity, community and connection. So far, we’ve held eight workshops, each one bursting with colour, ideas and stories. Our venues have been as varied as the people taking part, from church halls and town halls to coffee shops and pubs, each one filled with laughter, conversation and the gentle rhythm of stitching.

The contributions have been incredible. Every square tells its own story, of Ashbourne, of the people who call it home, and of imagination, belonging, gratitude and pride. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants have loved having the chance to be creative together, to pause and really look at the town in a positive way, thinking about what makes it so special. Many have said how much they’ve enjoyed learning new skills, trying out different textile techniques, and sharing ideas with others. The central panel is now beginning to take shape too. After two wonderful sessions at Sticky Fingers last week, the artwork is truly starting to come alive, and you can feel the imagination, skill and community spirit woven into every stitch.

And the best part is, it’s not too late to join in. There are still plenty of workshops coming up over the next few weeks, ten in total, offering all sorts of ways to get involved. Whether you prefer a calm, reflective afternoon, a sociable evening with a drink in hand, or a friendly drop-in session with tea and biscuits, there’s something for everyone. A full list can be found below.

As the final stitches come together, we’re already looking ahead to 2026 and the moment we get to share this incredible piece with the whole town. Workshops for construction and assembly of the full artwork will take place at Betty’s Sewing Box in February 2026, with more details coming soon. The Grand Unveiling of our beautiful community artwork will coincide with the reopening of the refurbished Ashbourne Methodist Church in spring, creating a joyful celebration of everything we’ve made together and the stories stitched into every inch.

After that, the artwork will go on tour around Ashbourne, visiting the House of Beer, the Heritage Centre and Ashbourne Library, so even more people can enjoy seeing it and spotting familiar stitches, friends and places woven into the design.

Keep an eye on social media and the Every Stitch A Story blog for updates, and make sure you’ve shared your email address so we can keep you in the loop as plans take shape.

Of course, this project has only been possible because of the kindness and generosity of everyone involved, those who have stitched, supported, volunteered and donated. Every contribution helps. If you’d like to support Stitching Ashbourne and help us keep the workshops going, please visit our Crowdfunder at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/stitching-ashbourne.

Every penny truly makes a difference. £5 helps provide tea, biscuits and that welcoming atmosphere where creativity thrives. £10 covers materials for a workshop participant or an at-home stitching pack. £200 covers the cost of facilitating a full workshop, helping to make sessions accessible and inspiring for everyone. Thank you so much to everyone who’s been part of it so far. Your creativity, kindness and enthusiasm are bringing this project to life, one stitch at a time.

If you haven’t joined in yet, it’s not too late. Here’s what’s coming up…

Calm & Create, Thursday 6th November, 1.30–4pm, Ashbourne Library. A peaceful session for those who enjoy a slower, mindful pace of making. Book here.

Craft & Chat, Monday 10th November, 2–4pm, St Oswald’s Church Hall. A sociable afternoon of stitching and conversation, hosted by the Methodist Craft & Chat Group. Book here.

Sip & Stitch, Thursday 13th November, 6.30–8.30pm, House of Beer. An evening of creativity and connection with a drink in hand. Book here.

QEGS School Workshops, Tuesdays 4th and 18th November. Private workshops giving students the chance to create their own squares inspired by Ashbourne.

Threads of Welcome, Ukrainian & Refugee Community Session, Sunday 16th November, 11am–1pm, Sticky Fingers. A special session for members of the Ukrainian and refugee community to share experiences through stitching. Fully Booked.

Central Panel Sewing Circle, Sunday 16th November, 1.30–3.30pm, Sticky Fingers. Help create the central panel of our large-scale community artwork. Fully Booked.

Drop-off & Stitch Social, Wednesday 19th November, 10.30am–12 noon, Ashbourne Town Hall. A relaxed drop-in to hand in finished squares and catch up over a cuppa. Book here.

Final Stitches, Last Chance to Add Your Square, Wednesday 19th November, 12.30–2pm, Ashbourne Town Hall. Your final opportunity to make your mark. Led by Alice Duckworth. Book here.

Ashbourne U3A Workshop, Friday 21st November. Private workshop for U3A members, adding another chapter to our shared story.

Final Central Panel Sewing Circle, Monday 8th December, 10.30am–2pm, Betty’s Sewing Box. Our last creative session of the year, finishing touches, shared lunch and celebration. Book here.

Stitch by Stitch, Ashbourne’s Story is Taking Shape

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It’s hard to believe it’s only been a few weeks since Stitching Ashbourne began, and already more than 100 people have taken part! I don’t think any of us quite expected the level of excitement, creativity, and care that’s filled the first four workshops. Every session has had its own character, full of conversation, laughter, and those quiet moments of concentration that come when everyone’s lost in the rhythm of sewing.

And now, finished squares are starting to arrive. Each one is different, bright, delicate, bold, playful, but every stitch has meaning. Together, they’re starting to form something truly beautiful: a picture of Ashbourne told through thread and texture.

Certain themes are emerging, lots of countryside scenes, walking and cycling the Tissington Trail, food, flowers, hobbies, favourite views. It’s wonderful to see how much people treasure the open spaces around town and the simple joys of everyday life.

But it’s also made me wonder… what’s missing from Ashbourne’s stitched story so far? What places, people, or moments haven’t yet been represented? Are there stories of the high street, our schools, the Shrovetide ball game, music, or even those little acts of kindness that make our community special?

If you’re still planning your square, maybe this is your moment to tell one of those untold stories. Think about what Ashbourne means to you, not just the places we walk through, but the memories, traditions, and connections that make this town home. And don’t forget to include a few words or a note with your square, I love hearing the inspiration behind each design!

We’re well on track to exceed our original hopes for participation, and I can already see the final piece starting to take shape in my mind, full of colour, texture, and community spirit. I can’t wait to see what arrives next.

An unforgettable start for Stitching Ashbourne

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What a fantastic launch workshop! The Stitching Ashbourne launch yesterday was everything we hoped it would be and more, lively, welcoming, and full of creativity. More than fifty people joined us, with a real buzz of excitement and queues out the door! It was heart-warming to see so many people come together, chatting, stitching, and sharing ideas about what makes Ashbourne such a special place to live, visit, work and go to school.

Right from the start, everyone got stuck in, filling the space with conversation and colour. Early designs began to celebrate the town’s beautiful surroundings, the rolling countryside, trees, fields and open skies that make Ashbourne such a joy to walk, cycle and explore. The much-loved Tissington Trail came up again and again, with its mix of walkers, cyclists, dog owners, parents and grandparents enjoying time outdoors. And it’s clear Ashbourne is a town that loves its animals too, with The Ark Rescue Centre finding its place in designs alongside wildlife and much-loved pets.

As the afternoon went on, themes of friendship and community connection began to shine through. Local gathering spots like Smith’s Tavern, a familiar meeting place for many, and the Cornerstone Café at the Methodist Church featured prominently, places that hold so many shared memories. The newly refurbished church, with its bright red doors, also made an appearance, symbolising warmth and welcome. Cultural favourites such as Shrovetide Football, the Lantern Parade and the Christmas Tractor Lights brought smiles all round, reminders of the events that bring everyone together year after year.

Food made its way into the mix too! Ashbourne Gingerbread popped up in early sketches, and we’re already wondering what other local treats will find their way into stitches over the coming weeks. Plenty of people also took home packs to work on, including students from local schools, we can’t wait to see the range of ideas that come back from makers of all ages.

We were also absolutely delighted to welcome Helena, our official project photographer to the event. Originally from Ukraine, Katerina brings a wealth of experience and a wonderful creative eye. Her involvement has been made possible thanks to generous support from Ashbourne Arts, who have provided £500 in funding to help document the project. This support means we’ll have a beautiful visual record of Stitching Ashbourne as it grows, something lasting to accompany the finished textile artwork.

If everyone who came along brings back their stitched square, we’ll already be halfway to our goal of 100, what an amazing start! There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved. Upcoming workshop dates are listed on the workshop page, with 16 workshops to choose from hopefully you’ll find one that suits you. If you can’t make it to a workshop but would still like to take part, just email Laura for a postal pack. Finished squares (with feedback forms) can be returned at sessions or posted directly to Stitching Ashbourne.

Thank you so much to everyone who came along and helped make the launch so special. Your enthusiasm, creativity and warmth are at the heart of Stitching Ashbourne — this really is a project shaped by our community, for our community.