The Usk Tapestry, a community project involving more than 50 volunteer stitchers over nine years, will go on public display at Usk Castle over the weekend of Saturday May 30th and Sunday May 31st.

The tapestry will be unveiled by the Mayor of Usk, Councillor David Harding, at a private view on the evening of Friday May 29th.

Chairman of the Usk Tapestry Committee, Hamish Sandison, said: "The completion of this glorious work of art is a tribute to local craftswoman the late Margaret Turner whose idea it was, to painter Susie Martin who designed it, to tapestry-maker Sarah Windrum who oversaw the work, and to the more than 50 volunteers from in and around Usk who stitched it.

"The Usk Tapestry Committee is committed to ensuring that it remains publicly accessible in perpetuity."

Designer Susie Martin added: "The semi-abstract design has been interpreted by the team into shimmering seas of colour, created by mixing wools in the needle.

"The dreamlike finished tapestry is peaceful and contemplative and celebrates the wholeness of the natural world that inspired everybody from the start. Images of the wildlife and places so special to the spirit of our town also appear, with the River Usk flowing through the centre."

The Usk Tapestry Group has received financial and other support from Age Concern, the Arthur Griffiths family, the Church Trust Fund, Gwanwyn, the Laura Ashley Foundation, Monmouthshire Active Communities, the New Grove Trust, Rural Community Action, the Usk Mayor's Fund, the Usk Garden Centre at Llanbadoc, Usk Open Gardens, Usk Town Council, and Waitrose in Abergavenny, among others.

By kind permission of Rosie and Henry Humphreys, the tapestry will be on public display in Castle House Barn in the beautiful surroundings of Usk Castle from 11am to 4pm on Saturday May 30th and Sunday May 31st.

The exhibition will include photographs of the work in progress, personal stories from stitchers, and the original design. Admission is free.

The Usk Tapestry is looking for a permanent home. Following the unveiling at Usk Castle, it will go on tour through South Wales, including a temporary exhibition at the Senedd in Cardiff.

For more information, please contact the Secretary of the Usk Tapestry Committee, Dee Bury, on 01291 672371 or via email to dee_bury@yahoo.com.