Sports for All - Len Hutton (1916-1990)

Sometimes it can be difficult to think of a subject for the daily blog. There are so many diverse subjects on the Tapestry that a link with the news stories of the day can help. Cricket seems to be featuring heavily at the moment, so not exactly linked to the news story, today's offering is Sir Len Hutton.

Born at Fulneck, Pudsey on 23rd June 1916, he first played cricket, with his father, with Fulneck Sunday School and at the age of 13 was chosen to use the ‘nets’ at Headingley. In 1934 he scored the first of 129 centuries for county and country. In 1938, against the Australians at the Oval, he scored 364 runs, a record that stood for many years until Gary Sobers beat it by one run (against Pakistan in 1958). He was awarded his knighthood in the 1956 New Year’s Honour's List.

The embroidery was hand stitched by Merel Jackson (14 hours). I suspect the print was based on a cigarette card owned by Robin Dove.

Sports for All - Leeds Albion Cycling Club

I've searched the internet and can't find anything about this club. Presumably it's no longer running and that Robin Dove found it in one of his many reference books? One of the many things to research down at the Reference Library.

Lesley Dove hand stitched this piece in layers. It's not very big and I imagine it required great dexterity.



The skater below were designed at Intake School and embroidered by Dorothy Wrench.

Education - Robin and Lesley Dove

"My wife Lesley spotted an article in the Yorkshire Evening Post inviting readers to visit premises in County Arcade, Victoria Quarter where Kate was promoting her unique idea of involving local people in helping to create a tableau of embroidered panels depicting the progress of the City & Borough of Leeds through two thousand years of progress up to the second millennium.

"Lesley took up the invitation to meet Kate, the idea struck a chord and my wife came away with a small piece to stitch for the first panel, this was the beginning of a friendship. Between 1993 and 2002 we visitied a variety of temporary homes the expanding project occupied over the years. We visited Kate's home and offices, Armley Mills and Trinity Church, as I remember.

"The numerous panels we were involved with brought us into contact with many lively and interesting industrious people all committed to the completion of the project. We have enjoyed our years of involvement and we are proud of being part of the project that future generations will admire in awe. "

Robin Dove 2003

Lesley hand stitched the couple on printed fabric, Robin undertook research for the Tapestry.