Community Table Runner Project

Crafting a community — one stitch at a time

A 15-metre community-created textile artwork inspired by the ancient Fenland Black Oak Table at Lichfield Cathedral.

Discover the Story Support the Project Host the Table Runner

The Community Table Runner Project began as a creative response to the arrival of the extraordinary Fenland Black Oak Table at Lichfield Cathedral — but quickly became something far greater.

Through free “Common Threads” community stitch sessions, hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds came together to create individual squares filled with memories, stories, creativity, reflection, and joy.

Over 864 handmade squares were stitched together to create a remarkable 15.43 metre-long table runner — a powerful celebration of community, heritage, creativity, and connection.

Today, the runner stands not only as a collaborative artwork, but as a lasting record of the people, places, memories, and shared experiences that make up the spirit of Lichfield.

15.43 metres long

Spanning the full length of the Fenland Black Oak Table.

294 days in the making

From the first stitch to the completed runner.

Recognised during a Royal Visit

Presented during King Charles III’s visit to Lichfield Cathedral.

864 individual squares

Each created with its own story and meaning.

Contributors aged 2¾ to 100

Bringing generations together through creativity.

Created through Common Threads sessions

Free community stitch sessions open to all.

Now on Display at Lichfield Cathedral

The Community Table Runner is now on display at Lichfield Cathedral, where visitors can explore this unique community artwork and discover the stories stitched into every square.

Created by hundreds of individuals, groups, schools, and organisations, the Table Runner celebrates creativity, connection, memory, and community spirit.

While visiting, you can:

Learn more about the story behind the project
Share your own reflections and memories
Register your interest in the future commemorative book
Support the project with a donation
Find out how to host the Table Runner at your own venue

Special thanks to Matt and Dave from Event Rigging, whose patience, care, expertise, and thoughtful approach helped bring the Table Runner safely into place for this exhibition. We are incredibly grateful for their support and for the time they took to ensure the display looked its very best.

Read the Full Story Community Voices Book Project Make a Donation Host the Table Runner

The Story Behind the Table Runner

In late 2024, Lichfield Cathedral approached The Fabric Vault with an inspiring question: how could the 5,000-year-old Fenland Black Oak Table become a living part of the community today?

The answer became a remarkable collaborative project — inviting people from across the local area and beyond to create individual textile squares reflecting personal memories, local history, loved ones, creativity, and connection.

Using sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet, quilting, appliqué, felting, painting, beadwork, fabric printing, and many other techniques, the community came together to create one extraordinary shared artwork.

Read the Full Story

In Memory

Squares created to remember loved ones and treasured memories.

Celebrating Community

Stories of local landmarks, friendships, creativity, and belonging.

Generations Together

Contributions from children as young as 2¾ years old to makers aged 100.

Explore Community Voices

A Work of Complete Humanity

“What John and Dagmar achieved with this project is quietly sensational. It brought hundreds of people together around this remarkable table and created a new community.

Within the runner are stories of grief, love, celebration, memory, creativity, friendship, and belonging.

This is a work of complete humanity.”

— Eleanor

Royal Visit — October 2025

On 27th October 2025, the Community Table Runner Project received a special moment of recognition during the visit of King Charles III to Lichfield Cathedral.

His Majesty showed particular interest in the runner and the many stories, people, and community contributions behind the project — highlighting the importance of creativity, heritage, and shared community experiences.

Common Threads: A Service of Celebration

On 26th March 2026, more than 300 people gathered at Lichfield Cathedral for a special blessing ceremony celebrating the completion of the Table Runner.

The service recognised not only a remarkable piece of collaborative artwork, but also the friendships, creativity, stories, and shared experiences woven into every stitch.

Host the Table Runner

The journey of the Table Runner does not end here.

The runner is now travelling to locations across Lichfield and beyond, helping to share the stories, creativity, and community spirit behind the project.

We welcome enquiries from:

Cathedrals and churches
Schools and colleges
Museums and galleries
Libraries and community venues
Arts and heritage organisations

Talks, exhibitions, workshops, and community events can all be tailored around the project.

Enquire About Hosting

Support the Project

Your support helps preserve and share this remarkable community artwork for future generations.

Donations help support:

preservation of the Table Runner
future exhibitions
educational opportunities
community textile projects
talks and outreach work

Make a Donation

Registered Charity No. 1217447

A Book of Common Threads

We are currently exploring the possibility of creating a beautifully presented commemorative book celebrating the Community Table Runner Project.

The proposed book would include:

photographs of every square with their stories
the stories behind the contributions
reflections and memories
behind-the-scenes moments
the Royal Visit
the Blessing Ceremony
the journey from community project to registered charity