ILKLEY and District U3A Craft Group have contributed a display at the ‘Threads of War’ Exhibition at The Bradford Mechanics Institute Library during July.

Curated by the Bradford WW1 Group at venues across Bradford, the display at the library concentrates on textile interpretations of First World War but also includes the display by Ilkley U3A that highlights continuing global conflicts.

In conjunction with Jill Dean, director of Udentistry in Valley Drive, Ilkley, and her colleague Carolyn, the U3A craft group contribute knitted and crotched teddies, baby vests and hats, beanie hats for children and adults and blankets for those fleeing conflict, poverty and disaster around the world. It is this work that is the focus for their exhibition display.

Jill and Carolyn provide a collection and distribution for charities, including local ones such as Burley Refugee Response, which supports people in dire circumstances around the world.

Three U3A members David and Jacqui Whiteley and Denise Marsden were present at the opening of the exhibition by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Geoff Reid.

David described his appreciation of the exhibition. He said: "There are many pieces of textile work on display, ranging from small items commemorating individual soldiers to much larger hangings.

"Visitors can contribute to a peg rug featuring children’s designs on the theme of poppies and 'Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag' had inspired a very moving piece of work. It was imagined that a survivor had returned home and hung up his kit bag – upside down. Below was its contents, created in textiles. There were bully beef, tack and a field dressing pack. There was a child’s letter from home, a family photo and a packet of cigarettes. The centrepiece was simple, just the text of the carol Silent Night. The twist was that the text alternated the English and German words to the song."

The Ilkley U3A Craft Group are delighted to have been invited to participate in ‘Threads of War’ and hope that their contribution, with words by Denise Marsden, will bring attention the innocent victims of current global conflicts.

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