THE hunt is on to find more local stitchers to work on the Wee County’s very own tapestries.

The call comes after Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI) took sketches on a roadshow during Volunteers’ Week in June with hundreds of suggestions coming in.

Around 35 local stitchers are already onboard, but more passionate volunteers are being sought as the pieces could take two years to complete.

Anthea Coulter, chief officer at CTSI, explained: “We were overwhelmed with all the suggestions from local people at the 14 venues we visited, on what should be included in the tapestries with hundreds of suggestions now being collated.

“We also got around 35 stitchers interested, but are keen for any more to come forward now.

“We are needing around eight to ten stitchers for each tapestry.

“No previous knowledge is needed of stitching - anyone can get involved.

“However, the tapestries could take up to two years to complete so we need volunteers really passionate to be involved in this legacy project for the county.”

The idea to create a local tapestry came after the Great Tapestry of Scotland came to Alloa for an exhibition in 2017.

There were hopes to create a lasting legacy and the local piece was designed by Andrew Crummy, the creator of the Scottish original.

Dorie Wilkie, lead stitcher, and Lesley Thornton from Tillicoultry will be leading the first of the local project, outlining the plans and timescales to all interested in contributing at a meeting in early-September.

They will then run a series of workshops to train people in mid-September.

Groups will then be formed and the work will commence.

CTSI received Heritage Lottery funding to support the first year of the project and is interested in hearing from anyone who would like to give a talk on any historical aspect of the industries of Clackmannanshire, which is the theme for the local tapestries.

Anthea added: “We included a series of lunchtime talks through the exhibition in 2017 at the Speirs Centre and they were very popular and we want to repeat them in communities and include more through next spring and summer and would welcome hearing from anyone keen to share their knowledge or own experiences wider.

“We are also running a crowdfunding campaign in the autumn to share more information on the project as it develops and get local people involved and supporting its creation.”

People interested in becoming volunteer stitchers, local historians and others involved in industries keen to have their stories documented can get in touch with Lesley Jack, project co-ordinator from CTSI.

Email her via Lesley.jack@ctsi.org.uk or call 01259 213 840.