Wesley Hall Millennium Wallhanging

The Millennium Wallhanging which consists of 36 individual squares designed and worked by a range of Church individuals and Groups.

The Wallhanging can be found in the Wesley Hall

Left to right, top to bottom:

  1. A square depicting the effect of industrial pollution.
    Executed by Jan Fenner on behalf of the Westwood House Fellowship from a design by Ruth Daniel.
  2. Executed by young members of The Inters Youth Group from a design by Jo Bruton. This was a design they selected because they liked it and understood it! The candles represent Love, Hope, Peace and Joy with the hope that they will bring warmth and light in the next Millennium.
  3. Executed by members of the Questors House Group from their original design. The design is based upon Maidenhead Bridge over the river Thames. We sing Alleluia to God on a stave that represents his everlasting love. The bridge reminds us of the way we span the difficulties of life; the lamps guide us in the darkness. Hands are clasped in greeting, friendship or forgiveness The computer screen (and “windows”) is one of the greatest means of communication at the turn of the century. Over all the Cross of Christ dominates.
  4. Executed by children in the Toddler group with minimal encouragement (under guidance of course !). The babies and toddlers in the Toddler group have not developed many skills but they love to use their hands and fingers exploring their world. Paint is a very exciting discovery especially if they can paint themselves ! These handprints are a unique record of their development.
  5. Executed by Kate Longdon on behalf of the Friday Lunch Club. The design represents the diminishing countryside – threatened by encroaching man-made construction – one tree in a sea of concrete – and the clock ticks on. The Friday lunch Club is a great meeting place for house-bound and disabled people. They are transported into High street and enjoy a good meal and the fellowship of a happy family atmosphere.
  6. Executed by Diana Phipps, Gillian Yard, Fel Binner and Margaret Payne from a design by Roger Umpleby on behalf of the choir. A prayer from the New Methodist Worship Book:
    The day of the Lord is surely coming
    Be faithful in worship
    unwavering in hope
    fervent in the work of God’s kingdom
    and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
  7. The square depicts a walker heading out into the hills – as we all head out into the new Millennium. Executed by Carol Adams from a design by Hugh Phoenix on behalf of the Ramblers Group.
  8. Windpower was seen as a possible future source of power being a method which doesn’t pollute the earth’s atmosphere or use up the earth’s scarce resources. Executed by Tricia Kempton from a design by Heather Cox based upon ideas from her children.
  9. Executed by Ruth Daniel from her original design with her hope that the nations of the world will learn to live in peace and that a spirit of tolerance will replace historic hatred and bigotry.
  10. Executed by Dorothy Minors on behalf of the 13th Maidenhead (Methodist) Beaver Scouts from her own design. The Beaver Scouts thought there would be space buses and space hotels and the chance of meeting life from other planets!
  11. Executed by Dotty Lindsay from a design by Roger Umpleby. Research into genetics has advanced greatly in the 20th century and will certainly progress still further in the 21st century.
  12. Executed by Judy Stimson and Ruth Daniel on behalf of the Scouts from a photo of a German Scrap Yard.
  13. This design is to recognise that money is anticipated to continue to play a significant part in living in the new Millennium. Designed by Heather Cox & executed by many of those who gathered to learn the NO-SEW technique (October 1998)
  14. Executed by Jenny Warren on behalf of the Cubs from her son’s recollection of a magazine picture he had mislaid! The theme offered an opportunity to use materials that would give a three-dimensional appearance.
  15. Executed by the Pinkney’s Green House Fellowship from an original idea by Muriel Umpleby. Life on the planet is sustained by trees. Each member of the group was asked to embroider a tree. The late Walter Kempton achieved (posthumously!) the greatest number of trees. At least three ladies from the group returned their work with the words “oh and I did one for Walter”! Walter was a long-standing and loyal member of the Group.
  16. Executed by Jo Bruton from her original design. It is an attempt to summarise some of the many creative skills which artists and craftsmen have developed since the beginning of creation. The fear is that, in this modern world of computer technology, many skills will be lost. The hope is that humans will always have a desire to create beautiful things through the use of their hands.
  17. To show how the same land can be good or bad, well cared-for or derelict. We are reminded that we have stewardship of our earth. The river flows through the square from the bad to the good, but it is the same river that touches both types of land. The inspiration for the design came from a long poster in an Edinburgh office. Executed by Serena Lindsay.
  18. The design of the square is intended to emphasise the protection given by the family unit. We hope this will continue into the 21st century and beyond. Executed by Liz Kermode from a design by Heather Cox.
  19. The title of the piece says it all. Executed by Mary Stock from a well-known optical illusion.
  20. Executed and designed by Jo Bruton. She wanted to convey the idea that the Christian Church, symbolised by the cross, had been in existence for nearly 2000 years and express the hope that Christianity would continue to be a powerful influence for good far into the future. The design was inspired by a stone cross on the Island of Iona.
  21. Executed by Felicity Kendon on behalf of the Flower Arranging Committee from a design by Committee members. The Flower Arrangers hopes and prayers for the next Millennium are that as the flowers beautify the marriage ceremony, the rings signify the continuity of love within the marriage.
  22. Executed by Lois Roberts from a design by Albrecht Durer. Durer was fascinated by hands and made many studies as preliminary drawings for use in larger works. His “praying hands” is one of these.
  23. Executed by Doreen Roberts representing the Missionary activity of the Methodist Church
  24. Executed by Heather Cox on behalf of the 2nd Monday House Group from their combined design. The House Group had been looking at strands of faith influencing our lives – based upon Celtic Spirituality. The design shows that our lives are made up of these strands – interwoven to influence us, and our views, in the New Millennium.
  25. We welcome new babies into the church community at birth with a red rose on the communion table, then later in the Sacrament of Baptism followed by growth in the creche and the Toddler group. HOPE symbolises all the promise of new life, hopes and dreams that come with the birth of a child. Designed and executed by Elizabeth Barker on behalf of First Steps.
  26. The design was adapted and worked by Jo Bruton from an idea in a Guardian newspaper supplement “One Thousand days” – a special report, in association with WWF, on how to live in the new Millennium. Our fear is that with increasing demand for water world-wide, many of the poorest parts of the world will suffer from drought and famine in the new Millennium.
  27. Executed by members of the 4th Maidenhead (Methodist) Guides based on a design by Nicola Golding. Music was chosen by the Guides as this is something to which they can relate as many play instruments: clarinets, trumpets, flutes, cellos and violins. In addition many Guide events involve singing around the campfire.
  28. Executed by children of the Young Church from a design by Gill Watten and other teachers.
  29. Executed by Greta Mattocks and Alex Smith from a design by Jo Bruton on behalf of the Ladies Evening Group. It represents the global problem of feeding the world population – some have plenty – some are starving. There is never enough to go round and the hands in the design represent the various Nations in need.
  30. Every golfer’s dream! Executed by Sid Barker from his original design on behalf of the Wesley Golf Society.
  31. This expresses the concern that large areas of the world could be without water – the basis requirement of life. It expresses the hope that in the next Millennium means will be found to provide clean water in all the four corners of the earth. Executed by members of the Riverside House Group from their original design.
  32. Executed by Nancy Underwood on behalf of the Tuesday Morning House Group. The profusion of wild flowers dispersed through the world speaks of the generosity of God. The exquisite beauty of a single flower speaks of a God who is interested in detail. In nature various colours blend together without clashing. This illustrates the unity and harmony that is God’s will as we go into the New Millennium.
  33. Executed by Jenny Warren from a design by Ruth Daniel showing Antarctica as the centre.
  34. Executed by Ruth Daniel from her own original design. The letters of the Greek word for fish represent the initial letters of the words “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour”. Her hope is that people in all countries will be free to profess their faith.
  35. Executed by Judy Stimson from her own design on behalf of the Communion Stewards. “And he took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me”. And likewise the cup after supper, saying “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”.
  36. Executed by Linda Shoesmith and Felicity Kendon on behalf of the Womens’ Fellowship from an original idea by Sid Barker. The hands and broken chains represent freedom. This is the basic right for everyone and is something we should all strive for in the coming Millennium.