The National Needlework Archive - The Country Wife

The National Needlework Archive provides a documentary and photographic record of textiles located in the community throughout the United Kingdom. In addition, the NNA keeps a library of textile related books, magazines, instruction leaflets, dress and knitting patterns, and items relating to other textile related crafts. Details of the NNA's exhibitions, workshops and lectures throughout the year can be viewed on their website http://www.nationalneedleworkarchive.org.uk/html/whats_on.html

Having recently re-located to new premises at The Old Chapel, New Greenham Park, Newbury RG19 6HW the NNA will be taking on an exciting new project - the restoration of ‘The Country Wife'.

‘The Country Wife' textile mural was designed by Constance Howard and was made by her, and some of her students at Goldsmiths College, for the Country Pavilion at the Festival of Britain in 1951. Many of the craftwork features on the mural were made by members of the WI who were experts in such fields as glove making, canework, and embroidery. At the close of the Festival the mural was given to the National Federation of Women's Institutes and it has been housed at Denman College in Oxfordshire ever since.

The Country wife is an iconic work of its time and needs to be preserved and displayed to the public. After almost 60 years, this 4.5m x 5m stumpwork textile picture is in urgent need of conservation work and it has now been agreed that the mural will be given to the National Needlework Archive who will oversee a project in which volunteers will be trained to undertake the required work, under the supervision of a consultant textile conservation specialist. It is anticipated that the project will take three to five years to complete and the mural will be open to the public throughout the restoration.

The mural is an important resource for the textile community, and involvement in the full range of activities required to help the work of saving the mural will additionally be welcomed from any interested volunteers. While all qualified textile conservators are welcome to be involved in this prestigious project on any level, training will also be provided for experienced needle workers and textile students. The NNA is keen to utilise the educational potential of the project with possible apprenticeships and validated training. On a wider front, volunteers will be needed for a wide variety of activities apart from work on the mural itself and programmes will be initiated to involve schools and colleges in the social history aspects of the mural and to encourage interest in textile art and conservation.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the project in any way should contact Linda Connell at the National Needlework Archive, preferably by email: nna@boldre.freeserve.co.uk  The NNA are also looking for people who would be interested in donating funds to help with this worthy project or helping to raise funds.
The NNA's new premises also provide plenty of space for anyone wanting to hold an exhibition, for more information please contact 01635 38740 or e-mail nna@boldre.freeserve.co.uk.  The venue is also equipped with workrooms, a library a gift shop and a gallery. To find out more about the National Needlework Archive please visit www.nationalneedleworkarchive.org.uk