The people of Ross-on-Wye were given a tremendous gift on Wednesday when the completed Ross Embroidery was unveiled at the Larruperz Centre.

Thousands of hours of work by a group of nine local ladies who are members of the Ross U3A Crewel Group, went into creating the wall hangings. The panels all depict symbols of Ross, such as the market House, or have a connection to the wildlife found in the area, such as the hedgehog.

The Deputy Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Councillor Valerie Coker, thanked Gail Harley, the group’s co-ordinator and the rest of the women involved.

She explained that Ross Town Council had been approached by the group in 2015, for a grant for £500 to pay for materials. She said they were thrilled to see the results and it is a magnificent gift for the town. She said many people will be able to appreciate it in its home at the Larruperz Centre and she loved all the symbolism it contains. She added: “People will enjoy it for many years to come.”

As well as the work by members of the Crewel Group, Helen Kiddy and staff at Essential Sewing Services in Ross had donated the lining and interlining and made up the finished work. This alone took many hours and altogether it took 2,520 hours to compete the eight panels.

The project was also supported by The New Grove Trust and Angus Weavers.

Gail told the Ross Gazette that she had been asked to set up a group to teach crewel embroidery in 2014.

Gail had worked at Hellens Manor for 17 years carrying out conservation work, and also worked on the drapes which have been installed in the music room there. She taught the new U3A group members stitches and techniques. She said it was a pleasure to see ladies so enthusiastic about Crewel which is a centuries-old form of embroidery, usually worked on linen. In 2015 the group began working on the series of panels as a gift to Ross.

John Pierce, representing the Ross District Community Association, told the Gazette: “The U3A members are wonderful supporters of this wonderful Centre and we are very happy to have it here.”

Gail added that the Crewel Group are already thinking about their next project. They are going to use the fabric and wool left over from the Ross panels to create a Tudor style throw which they will raffle for the Friends of Ross Community Hospital.

The panels can be see by anyone visiting the Larruperz Centre and an information leaflet will also be displayed next to it.