An 80-metre-long woollen recreation of the D-Day landings made by knitters around the world is set to go on display in Stoke-on-Trent.
The Longest Yarn – dubbed a ‘modern-day Bayeux Tapestry’ – depicts 80 wartime scenes ranging from the build-up to D-Day and the horrors on the landing beaches to fierce inland battles and the liberation of Paris.
Made by 180 knitters from countries including the UK, France, the USA and New Zealand, the unique exhibition will come to Stoke Minster from Thursday, 21 November to Thursday, 5 December.
Created with guidance from professional historians to be accurate, the artwork was produced to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the landings, which took place on 6 June, 1944.
The scenes are taken from original photos of the time, or from the film The Longest Day, which also inspired the name of the project.
The exhibition is travelling across Europe, the UK and then on the United States of America.
Stoke Minster Parish Warden Paul Adams said: “We are really excited to bring The Longest Yarn to Stoke. It is an amazing way to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and the level of detail in each display has to be seen to be believed.
“We very much hope that people both local and from across the region will come to Stoke and see this extraordinary exhibition which we are proud to host.
“The Minster is working hard with the local community to bring people back into Stoke and we really think that The Longest Yarn will be a great contributor to that.”
Entry is free and no booking is required. A suggested donation of £5 per person is invited, with all proceeds going to Stoke Minster Charity.
