THE ARTS SOCIETY
ROSS-ON-WYE
Hellens Manor: 'A History in Stitches'
The Project
Two years ago the Heritage Volunteers team at Hellens undertook their most ambitious project to date. It was to design and make 'A History in Stitches', an eleven-metre-long crewelwork frieze illustrating the history of Hellens Manor. While The Bayeux Tapestry is the oldest surviving example of the technique of crewelwork, this new piece - reminiscent of the Tapestry - will show the 1,000 year history of Hellens. When completed it will hang in the Minstrels' Gallery, above the Great Hall.
The initial task for the team was to research the history of Hellens Manor in both its' local and national context, and then to work on the design. In text along the top and bottom borders are timelines of the owners of the manor and of the kings and queens of England. The central zone chronologically portrays some of the major legends and events which took place during the narrative journey of this remarkable house. The finished design was initially drawn onto tracing paper and then transferred onto linen fabric in readiness for stitching.
Life at Hellens Manor as imagined in early medieval times. The text stitched onto the hillside is from the Domesday Book: ........30 villains 40 ox teams, obliged to plough and seed 20 acres of wheat and 9 acres of oats.
The piece is being sewn in crewelwork - a type of surface embroidery on linen, using two-ply worsted wool. Forty different kinds of stitch are used, which have been taught to the needlewomen by Sally Ziesler, their immensely skilled and inspirational leader. The border text along the top and bottom of the frieze are stitched in chain stem stitch and back stitch and has already been completed. Now the team’s focus is to work on the fascinating stories and events during Hellens’ history up to the present day. Some details from the early scenes are provided in the following photos.
The beehives and small barn, imagined when the 'nuns of lemster' were reputed to live on the site before the Norman invasion.
The planting of pear trees along the Monks' Walk (now Hellens' drive from the village road to Hellens Manor).
On 26 November 1326, Queen Isabella of England, and the future Edward lll, her son, are reputed to have waited in the Great Hall at Hellens for the Great Seal. The Seal had been reclaimed from her husband,King Edward ll (who was at that time imprisoned in Monmouth Castle), and was presented to her symbolising her future power as regent for her son.
Richard Walwyn, who lived at Hellens, being knighted 'on the carpet' by Bloody Mary who is reputed to have visited the Manor.
Awarding of a National Prize
Every year The Arts Society together with the Marsh Charity present annual national awards to members who have achieved outstanding work during the year. In 2020 the award was won by our dedicated team of Heritage Volunteers who were thrilled to receive recognition of their work. In September 2020, members of the society across the country viewed the presentation of the awards on Zoom, and images of the project "A History in Stitches" were shown on a video produced by the team.
Celebration for achieving the 2020 Marsh Group Award for Volunteering
Cancelled several times during Covid, a special lunch for all the Heritage Volunteers involved in the stitching projects at Hellens Manor finally took place at The Cotsford Hotel, Malvern on the 24th March 2022. It was a celebration for achieving The Arts Society Award for Volunteering in 2020. All who attended were particularly delighted that Sally Ziesler, who has now retired from leading the group, was able to attend.
'A History of Stitches' Open Day
On the 31st March 2022, a week after the celebration lunch, 'A History in Stitches' Open Day was held in the Great Barn at Hellens. This event had been cancelled twice before during Covid. There were 206 visitors and after viewing the exhibition, over 40 of them also joined tours of Hellens Manor House.
The exhibition was outstanding, with very detailed displays on the walls of the barn, including: information about the principal embroideries which had influenced the development of the frieze; historical research undertaken; and the processes involved in the planning and design of the piece.
There was additionally an opportunity to view the long frieze itself so attendees could enjoy the stitching progress made so far. In the centre of the barn was a long table where HV stitchers were at work and were available to answer any questions. Postcards with images of stitched scenes from the frieze could also be purchased.
Many thanks are due to all the Hellens team and the HV volunteers for creating this fantastic exhibition.