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Histories of Northamptonshire
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Tablecloth

1953 Modern

Made by members of the Weston Favell branch of the Women's Institute to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, this tablecloth is still in weekly use.

Appliqued and embroidered table cloth made by members of the Weston Favell branch of the Women's Institute © NMAG
Appliqued and embroidered table cloth made by members of the Weston Favell branch of the Women's Institute

This tablecloth belongs to the Weston Favell branch of the Women’s Institute (WI), which was formed in 1949 at a meeting in the local Parish Hall. The cloth was designed in 1952 by the branch President’s husband to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. On the front is the WI crest, with crowns as a tribute to the new queen. The sides feature embroidered keys, representing the village of Weston Favell. The words ‘For Home and Country’ reflect the original intentions of the WI movement. Coloured felts have been appliquéd by hand using tiny, almost invisible stitches onto a sturdy green fabric. Twelve WI members, working one night a week, took a year to complete the cloth.

When the WI movement was founded in the UK in 1915 the aims were to support and educate women living outside densely populated urban areas. Weston Favell in the 1950s was on the edge of Northampton, although this is no longer the case, Weston Favell WI still meet monthly at the Parish Hall, having celebrated their 75th birthday in 2024. This tablecloth has covered the President’s table at virtually every meeting since 1952 - Christmas and COVID excepted!

Number 90 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.

Weston Favell
Contributed by Roz Quigley, Secretary, Weston Favell WI, Northampton
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