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Knitting Together
In Blackburn
Eight habitues of the ‘Wednesday Coffee & Crafts’ group set out for Blackburn recently to view a very distinctive exhibition of knitting and crochet. ’The Longest Yarn’ consisted of eighty scenes depicting life and events of World War II, from the Declaration of War in September, 1939 until VE Day , whose 80th anniversary was marked last year, when the exhibition began its tour lasting 3 years. Each exhibit represented skilled and pain-staking craft-work in wool; sometimes involving one individual’s effort , or, mostly a group ( such as a WI membership).Intricate work , attention to detail, and vivid colour made each show-case impressive and fascinating - telling / recalling the story of privation , bravery , sacrifice – and eventual Victory , through a imaginative and memorable medium. The tour continues with a month- long ‘slot’ in places like Enniskillen , Chorley ( November 2025), Lichfield ,Peterborough, etc – often , but , not always , in a cathedral setting.
Blackburn has a cathedral ;though this ( post-) industrial town is not a city. The Anglican diocese was established only in 1926 as suffragen to Manchester, and the town- centre parish church became a cathedral – with 30 years of re-design and extension over the next 50 years. The result is pleasing, preserving the original concepts referencing its 1500 years as a site of Christian worship (Catholic , of course , until the Reformation) but with modern features high- lighting its generous proportions and scope for modern art-work. The ‘lantern tower’ directs the gaze internally and highlights the building externally. Particularly eye-catching is the ‘testa’/ baldacchino over the free-standing , square High Altar, 35’ x 26’, reminiscent of the ‘Crown of Thorns’ in our own Metropolitan Cathedral. By the entrance to the exhibition ( which occupies both transepts – with access by ‘donation’ via ‘contact-less’ stand)) is a beautiful sculpture of ‘ Mary and Child’ by the famous Lake District artist, Josefina de Vasconcellos - with Our Lady bathing her Child.
We intended to enjoy a light lunch in the ‘Checks and Greys’ refectory café , so- named in commemoration of Blackburn’s textile history. The queue was prohibitive ,however, so we resorted to the nearby ‘Wetherspoon’s’ , ‘The Postal Order’ ,once the telephone exchange and sorting office for this Lancashire town for traditional ‘fish-and-chips’ , or similar.
The Cathedral is situated in a pleasant ‘green setting, near both railway and bus stations. Indeed , we met ladies who had used both modes of transport to travel from Barnoldswick. Sadly , the exhibition moves on next week , but we can recommend a visit to the Cathedral –a 34 miles- drive.
What our trip brought home to us , was a lack of ‘social life’ bringing parishioners together. Some neighbouring parishes have theatre-groups , regular outings , or , even , parish holidays. All this requires volunteers - and , a recognition that we need to work and ‘play’ together, and certainly, pray – for the future of our parish family , and , that it may be attractive to those looking to ‘belong’ in a challenging world. So, ‘knitting together’ is not just a trip to Blackburn .
With many thanks to George Barnes for the article and
Cath Woods for the photographs
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