In Prayse of the Needle – 60 years of Hereford Cathedral Broderers

Hereford Cathedral is celebrating its broderers, these unsung heroes who create, repair and restore its unique embroidery work

In Prayse of the Needle – 60 years of Hereford Cathedral Broderers

The work of the broderers, who meet once a week in a dedicated space in the Cathedral Cloisters, includes designing and making altar frontals, needlepoint cushions and restoring decades-old embroidery and can be seen in over thirty churches throughout Herefordshire, including Hereford Cathedral.

Formed in 1964, this year marks their 60th anniversary and an exhibition to celebrate their work opened in the cathedral this week.

The group currently has seven members and is led by Mary Roberts, who said:

“We are so pleased to be able to display and demonstrate the work that the Broderers do every Wednesday in our studio in the Cloisters.

“The names of many early Broderers are unknown but their work in churches through Hereford Diocese is a testament to their skill and dedication.

“We continue this tradition of making and maintaining items for liturgical use which requires a wide variety of embroidery techniques, great attention to detail and patience as some pieces can take up to three years.”

The Very Revd Sarah Brown, Dean of Hereford, said:

“I am very much looking forward to seeing the Broderers step into the limelight for this exhibition. I suspect that few people know of the existence – or indeed of the extraordinary skill of these volunteers who are responsible for the creation and restoration of so many of the fine textiles in use, not just in this cathedral church but in parish churches the length and breadth of the diocese.

“Volunteers such as our Broderers have been for many centuries, and continue to be, the backbone of the Church of England as they serve God and the Christian communities of this land by sustaining traditional crafts and skills, telling stories of gospel and place but bringing today’s designs and ideas into this traditional work.”

The exhibition, In Prayse of the Needle will feature samples of the Broderers work alongside information about the group and examples of previous projects.

There will be an opportunity to meet the Broderers on Wednesdays throughout the exhibition as they work in the South Transept.

In Prayse of the Needle: 60 years of Hereford Cathedral Broderers will be on display in the south aisle of the cathedral nave from Tuesday 30 July – Sunday 18 August 2024 and is free to visit during normal opening hours.