Press release Details

More than 60 events have already been confirmed for the first Three Shires Textile Festival which takes place 4th-19th July 2009.

Spearheaded by VCC, the tourism board for Cheshire, working in partnership with Staffordshire and Derbyshire, the festival is named after Three Shires Head, a well-known beauty spot in the Peak District where the three counties meet.

The two-week programme of exhibitions, talks, tours, textile craft fairs, fabric sales and workshops includes two major textile exhibitions at the Silk Museum in Macclesfield; a grand auction of textiles, costume and related accessories held by TV antiques expert Adam Partridge; a textile fair at Quarry Bank Mill in Styal; a special exhibition of historic May Queen dresses dating back to the 19th century in Knutsford; textile conservation workshops in Congleton and Leek; church open days; contemporary textile arts exhibitions; hands-on workshops and an art competition as well as many other exhibitions and events.

The Festival’s Textiles Consultant, Dr Brenda King, who is vice-chair of the Textile Society, said: “The Festival is absolute proof that in this region we are surrounded by a wealth of talent in the form of makers, event organisers, authors, exhibition curators, lecturers and businesses. The first impression I have from the long list of events is the variety of textiles we can enjoy, and just how many are produced in the Three Shires region - from a huge scale and moving installation by a local artist, who uses humble fleece from local sheep, to tiny, exquisite embroideries in local churches, stitched in silk by local needlewomen more than a hundred and twenty five years ago. We can enjoy the results of group projects, the heritage buildings where mass-produced cotton and silks were made, and see a local practitioner make something for the exciting craft fair. There will be hands on events for those who want to have-a-go, auctions in case you want to start your own collection and visual and sensory stimulus galore.”  

This is the first of what will become a biennial event for the area. The Three Shires Textile Festival 2009 programme, with full listings of events, will be available from March 2009.

To order your free copy of the festival brochure, please email your name and address to Alice Ferguson at a.ferguson@visitchesterandcheshire.co.uk

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