Community-Crafted ‘Common Threads’ on Display at Lichfield Cathedral.
A table runner that brought together a community and told their stories has gone on display in Lichfield Cathedral.
People were invited to contribute to this community table runner to mark the cathedral’s hosting of the Table for the Nation last year – the 13‑metre table crafted from a 5,000‑year‑old piece of Black Fenland fossilised oak to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee – and it captured the attention of His Majesty The King during his visit to the Cathedral in 2025.
Common Threads is on display until 5 July and began as a shared vision between Lichfield Cathedral and The Fabric Vault, inspired by the belief that textile arts can bring people together.
In response, people of all ages and backgrounds were invited to contribute to a community‑created table runner. What began as a simple idea quickly grew into something far more significant. Over 800 contributors, including individuals, schools, community groups, businesses and craft clubs, each created a unique textile square.
Dagmar from The Fabric Vault said:
“From the very beginning, we hoped this project would bring people together, but what has been created is something truly extraordinary. Every square tells a story, and together they reflect the creativity, generosity and spirit of this community. It has been a privilege to see those connections grow stitch by stitch.”
Suzie Santomassimo, Learning and Engagement Manager at Lichfield Cathedral added:
“Common Threads has become so much more than a creative project. It has created a space where people could come together, share skills, and build friendships within the Cathedral setting. The finished runner is a lasting reminder of what can happen when a community is invited to create something meaningful together.”
The project has already been described as “weaving a new fabric of community” (Revd Dr Canon Gregory Platten), bringing people from all walks of life into the Cathedral to share, learn and create side by side.
Now on display, Common Threads stands as both a legacy of the Fenland Black Oak Table and a testament to the power of creativity to connect people in lasting and meaningful ways.
Find out more here.
