The Desford Tapestry, crafted over five years by 21 local stitchers, recently launched at St Martins Church.

The three separate panels are over three metres wide in total and tell the history of Desford and Botcheston, from the 19th century to the present day.

Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, marked the launch of the Tapestry by unveiling the panels on Saturday 3rd June at St Martins Church.

The final venue for the Tapestry will be the Desford Community Library Hub.

The group of 21 local stitchers, ranging in age from being in their 20s to 80s, met in monthly supportive social sessions. A smaller group engaged in weekly meetings - pandemic permitting - to work on the large frame. All local stitchers worked on their individual blocks at home over five years.

The group said they crafted the Tapestry to “bring a creative vision of Desford’s past to our community, especially to our children.

“We hope people will  learn of forgotten events like The Great Fire of Desford, or realise, ‘that piece of land over there’ was where our medieval archers once practiced, and maybe to smile at the depiction of their schools Love Tunnel.”

 To represent the sale in 1935 of land used for an RAF Training school, the Desford Trainer Plane is stitched on one panel. Other local areas depicted in the Tapestry are Botcheston Village Hall, St Martins Church and the Malt House.

Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said “It was an absolute pleasure to mark the launch of the Desford Tapestry, something that must be seen to be believed.

“I had the honour of unveilling all three parts to a packed village hall. The support both on the day for the project and the five years from conception to reality is inspiring!

“I was blown away by the sheer talent and commitment to our community that went into creating the Tapestry. It truly is a love letter to Desford and Botcheston, and I urge everyone to visit the Desford Community Library and see the Tapestry in person!”