Examples of squares

Here are some examples of the squares produced by the people of Thetford...

For an introduction to this project click HERE

The Quilt Begins To Grow - June 6th Launch

To read an introduction to this project, click here -> Thomas Paine Quilt


On Saturday June 6th, 2009, we launched the Thomas Paine Friendship Quilt. As part of the wider 'Tom Paine 200 Celebrations' taking part in Thetford, people were invited to come into Tanner House and create their own squares for the quilt.

It was wonderful to see adults completely absorbed in creative activity...

As you can see people had the opportunity to paint their squares, as well as to sew. We broke with tradition a bit here, because some people are more comfortable painting.

Meanwhile, as the adults played some of our younger learners were working with the Family Learning team doing various craft activities...

Whilst all this activity was going on inside, Marilyn, our history tutor, was outside talking to passers-by about quilt making traditions...

From the feedback we received people felt it was a fantastic experience - and what's more, we now have some completed squares. The quilt begins to grow!

Introducing The Quilt Project...

"As it is my design to make those that can scarcely read understand, I shall therefore avoid every literary ornament and put it in language as plain as the alphabet."

So wrote Thetford's most famous citizen, Thomas Paine. This idea of making ideas understandable and accessible to all is very much what we in Norfolk County Council Adult Education Service are all about.

It is 200 years since the death of Thomas Paine. As part of the town's 'Tom Paine 200 Celebrations', Norfolk Adult Education are working with the people of Thetford to create a friendship quilt. In the spirit of Paine we wanted to mark his passing with something which puts power into people's hands. A quilt is an ideal way of bringing people together (that's the 'friendship' part!). A quilt, like any community, is made of lots of different contributions which, together, form a greater whole.

This blog will showcase the progress of the quilt as it grows, and will also give a bit of background information about Thomas Paine and the tradition of quilt making.

If you are interested in finding out more about this project, please email Colin Howey on colin.howey@norfolk.gov.uk

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