Temporary home found for Kendal's Quaker Tapestry (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Temporary home found for Kendal's Quaker Tapestry

3:40pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

ENTERPRISING exhibition staff have found temporary lodgings for Kendal’s Quaker Tapestry. after weather damage forced part of the popular attraction to close.

From Monday, March 25, sections of the exhibition will transfer to a temporary home in the town’s Elephant Yard, while vital repairs are being carried out to the exhibition space, which is part of the Grade II listed building in Stramongate.

“Peter Boyd stepped into the breach by offering us an empty shop in The Elephant Yard, large enough to hold the exhibition and travelling shop” said Quaker Tapestry general manager Bridget Guest. “We are very excited about welcoming our first visitors. The exhibition is free and we are hopeful that people will spend money in the shop or give to the fundraising appeal.

“We are also offering an incentive to entice people back for a proper visit once the panels return to their renovated home on the edge of town.”

Peter Boyd, who manages The Elephant Yard complex, said: “With footfall figures exceeding 60,000 through the yard at this time of year many Kendalians will get to see their tapestry. It’s great that we can support another local community charity in this way and we are very glad to be hosting this exhibition for the next six weeks.”

What started off as a planned, minor repair job on the Quaker Tapestry venue, ahead of an Easter opening, soon escalated into more than £25,000 worth of damage.

Builders and specialists discovered that a 40ft wide x 27ft tall wall was completely wet and the second wettest year recorded in Cumbria had taken its toll.

With the plaster removed, further problems were found in the west-facing wall which bears the brunt of all weather. Quaker Tapestry is a charity which relies on monies generated by items sold in the exhibition shop as well as tickets and guides.

The café, which is open all year round, is unaffected by the building work and will cater for visitors coming to see a smaller free exhibition, as well as those attending tapestry workshops.

However, according to centre manager Bridget Guest, there is a silver lining.

“We’ve just finished a major textile conservation project to re-mount and frame every single one of the 77 tapestry panels. This means they are better protected and far more portable.”

Fundraising activities are also planned to raise money for the unexpected repair work.