Lady Liverymen's Event - Visit to the British Library to see the Wikipedia Entry for Magna Carta

On the hottest July day since 2006, having made train journeys disrupted by overheated tracks, taxi journeys without air conditioning and having sat for hours in oven-hot buses, the intrepid Lady Needlemakers melted thankfully through the doors of the British Library into its glorious marbled coolness!

There, we watched a video about the making of the Embroidery (Google: Cornelia Parker Magna Carta to see it) and we marvelled at the genius of the project which involved over 200 contributors. The bulk of the 13 m long Wikipedia article has been stitched in sections by prisoners under the supervision of Fine Cell Work, one of the important charities supported by our Livery, and we were able to examine at close quarters the exquisite and detailed pictures, emblems and logos that have been beautifully sewn by members of the Embroiderers Guild. The various pieces, which were finally reassembled and sewn together by the Royal School of Needlework, form a unique piece of artwork and the exhibition is open, and free, until 24th July. We would urge those of you who were unable to join us today to try and see it.

However, the Embroidery was only part of the attraction of the day – braving the heat once more, we made our way to the Hilton London Euston where we were treated to a feast of freshly made sandwiches, scones, cakes, desserts and endless cups of much-needed tea!

Having the delightfully cool Dining Room to ourselves, gave us a lovely opportunity to talk to some of the more recently admitted Liverymen, including Susan Young, Jill Cox, Margaret West and Christine Smedley and to welcome Sue Sumners who will be admitted at the Court Meeting on July 8th. The conversation never flagged and Pamela had to call us to order just to thank everyone for coming and to tell us a little about one of her interesting Charity Committee projects – a school in Tower Hamlets. 

There was general agreement that events for the Lady Needlemakers are here to stay. Certainly my table companions were full of ideas about where we could go next!

 - Gill Loftus