The Unveiling of the Tapestry video

Below is a video of the Unveiling Ceremony.

I hope you enjoy it!

The Unveiling - Sat 11 June 2016

The Unveiling of the Whangarei Community Tapestry took place at The Forum North on Saturday 11th June 2016 at 10 am. Mike Hibbert, Whangarei District Council Property & Community Services Manager MC'd The Unveiling and Her Worship The Major, Sheryl Mai opened the Ceremony.

 Mike Hibbert, WDC Property Manager opened the Ceremony.

Her Worship The Mayor warmly greeted everyone and
 thanked everyone for their contribution to the Project.

 The moment we have all been waiting for.....

 ...The Unveiling of the Tapestry!

Isn't it stunning?  

 Jackie Addenbrook explaining the different aspects of the image.Here she points to the young girl in the picture and tells us "she's the future - our children are the future of Whangarei, look after them. Look after Whangarei - it's a beautiful and it's Our Place...Our Home.

 Our lovely Tapestry Weaver, Naoko holds a photo of the late Beverley Compter.

Naoko "stepped in" to fill some very big shoes when

 Beverly unexpectedly passed away in April 2015. 

 The Priest's - fleece donors for all the wool
used for the Project, with Jackie Addenbrook.

 The Mayor, Sheryl Mai and The Bach Chairperson, Heather Carthew.

The Tapestry Hostesses and Jill Hartles, Committee Chairperson (far right)

 The Martin family played beautifully in the background after the Unveilling.

Patricia Boyd, daughter of the late, Beverly Compter embraces Jackie.

Patricia and family travelled up from Auckland to attend the Unveiling

 It was a special moment as they shared memories of Beverly and Patricia thanked Jackie for her vision, passion and enthusiasm for the tapestry project - one that Beverley was very passionate about also.

The Boyd and Compter families

 Cousins....

 Mingling and mixing after the Ceremony.

 The Mayor, Sheryl Mai and Deputy Mayor, Sharon Morgan. Sharon hopes to revisit her enjoyment of weaving, inspired by a workshop with Beverly when she is not so busy with her Council duties

The Mayor, Glenda Ferguson - Foundation Member of The Bach Art Gallery and Shop, and Sharon Morgan.  Glenda and her husband, Brian constructed the purpose-built tapestry loom for the project which is in residence at The Bach, at the Town Basin, Whangarei.

Four Generations of the Priests.

And lastly but not least a photo of your resident blogger - me, Julia Prentice with Naoko Watson. I have really enjoyed following the tapestry progress over the past three and a bit years and have been greatly encouraged and inspired by it.

I hope you have enjoyed travelling this journey with us.

Thanks for your interest and participation!

~o0o~

Preparing the tapestry for hanging

 After the tapestry was cut off the loom it was taken to the Forum 

North where it was prepared for hanging and unveiling.

 Firstly, all the ends along the edge were hand sewn in.

 

 Sewing binding on to the hem was a team effort.

 Many hands make light work!

 the sewing in of all the threads was a big job!

Black Calico was used for backing the tapestry.

Are you ready to see the final result???

Tapestry Unveiling - Sat 11 June

This is a reminder to join us for the public unveiling of the Whangarei Community Tapestry on Saturday 11th of June 2016 at 10:00 am  Forum North, Rust Avenue, Whangarei.

See you there!!

The "Cutting Off" Ceremony - Sunday 22 May 2016

On Sunday the 22th May 2016 The BACH held the Offical "Cutting Off" Ceremony for the Whangarei Community Tapestry Project. It was an Invite Only Ceremony to celebrate the completion of this wonderful tapestry and to give recognition to the key people involved in the project. We kicked the evening off with nibbles and refreshments kindly supplied by the WDC.

 The Golden Shears - for cutting off.

 Jenny Calder, Town Basin Co-Ordinator and Sheryl Mai, Mayor for Whangarei.

 Sheryl Mai  enjoying a relaxed chat with friend

 and colleague Councillor, Sharon Morgan

Sharon enjoying a nibble before the Speeches and  

 Jenny Calder and Mike Hibbert, Jenny Pike and Sarah Moon at rear.

Weavers Agnes Hauptli and Marilyn Rea-Menzies catch up over a glass of wine.

 Tapestry hostess Jill Ruddell serving Jean Cartwright, a spinner and weaver of many years.

The lovely Lilian Herleth, member of The Bach and silk scarf artist.

Patrica Boyd and Dennis Compter attended with their partners and children to honour their mother, Beverly. Unfortunately, Hans Compter wasn't able to attended along with Sandra, who lives in Holland.

After a time of chatting together Jill Hartles, Chairperson for the Tapestry Committee welcomed everyone to the special "Cutting Off" Ceremony.

She thanked the previous Mayor, Morris Cutforth for recognising a great opportunity when the 

Tapestry Project was first formally presented to the WDC.

Jill also thanked the Priests for the donation of Romney fleeces from their flock for the wool.

Clive Ihaka (second from right) was thanked for his time and expertise in making more than fifty wooden bobbins. Not only that, he periodically sharped the points when they got blunt from dropping on the concrete floor.

Jackie Addenbrook, the tapestry artist and project-conceptualiser spoke briefly and thanked Jill for all her work and dedication over the three years. The tapestry committee members were also thanked. They were Naoko Watson, Nancy Jackson, Jill Ruddell, Karen Taylor and Julia Prentice.

Karen Taylor presented Jackie with a beautiful bunch of flowers.

Jill Ruddell (left) presented Sarah Moon a lovely bunch of flowers as well. Sarah is the daughter of Brian and Glenda Ferguson, foundering members of The Bach and makers of the loom. Glenda also drew up the cartoon for the tapestry and managed the finances. Brian and Glenda were unable to attend the ceremony as they were away in the South Island.

Then Nancy Jackson, spinner and weaver presented Patricia Boyd (nee: Compter) and family a cheerful bouquet of orange lilies in honour and recognition of the tapestry Master, Beverly Compter. 

The Compter and Boyd family were special guests in honour of their Mother, Beverly who passed away unexpectedly in April last year after a short illness. 

Finally, special guest and professional tapestry weaver from Hamilton, Marilyn Rea-Menzies was introduced and invited to instruct us on the "Cutting Off" process. Beverly's grandchildren were invited to do the honours..

 ...and it's OFF the loom!

Beverly's Grandchildren (from left to right):  Louie, Isla and Marlon Compter and cousins Calan and Erica Boyd.

~o0o~

Please join us for the public unveiling of the Whangarei Community Tapestry on Saturday 11th of June 2016 at 10:00 am  Forum North, Rust Avenue, Whangarei

*****