ENCOUNTERS OF THE SALTASH KIND
Saltash History
All Sewn Up
BRUCE HUNT, SALTASH HISTORIAN, INTERVIEWS TEXTILE ARTIST ANDREW TRITTON
If Saltash historian Bruce Hunt ever had any preconceptions about what an embroiderer looks like, they
were shot down the first time he met brainchild of the Saltash Chronicles, Andrew Tritton, an ex-Navy
biker sporting a self-embroidered leather jacket. Started in 2011, Andrew’s 104-foot long tapestry project
– due to be completed this coming year – documents the history of Saltash in over 50 embroidered
scenes. With approximately 25,000 hours of painstaking work involved in its creation, it is destined to be
a ‘living art’ legacy for future generations to add to as new history is made…
Bruce: How did you get into embroidery?
Andrew: As a biker, my jacket was always
emblazoned with images of motorcycle insignia,
most of which were embroidered, so I taught
myself how to create my own. Being in the Royal
Navy I was always looking for ways to pass the
time at sea, and embroidery
seemed the ideal thing.
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mine created images that were not available
from photographs, after being given a brief
outline of what I required. The embroiderers that
came forward were all instructed on the stitching
required and were asked to complete a ‘test
piece’ to ensure they were capable of doing the
work to a certain standard.
Bruce: To inform the story of the
Bruce: Was it difficult conveying
Saltash Chronicles, how did you
your Saltash Chronicles concept
find source material pre-1850 and
reconcile its accuracy?
to the people who ended up
Andrew: The scenes were
helping you to create it?
Andrew: As a member of
chosen from an online history of
Image courtesy of jane-bryan.co.uk
Saltash Heritage, I thought I would do a small
the town, which I ran past you, Bruce, before
embroidered piece for the museum. When Lizzy,
we started. The scenes are not designed to
(Secretary of Saltash Heritage) saw my work
be historically accurate but more of a visual
she suggested I took the idea further. After a
representation of the town’s history.
meeting with my local Councillor, Joe Ellison,
there was a meeting held of the local ‘movers
Bruce: Where is Saltash Chronicles up to now,
and shakers’ involved with arts and crafts. When
and what are your plans for its future?
they saw my work and I explained the concept, I
Andrew: It is hoped that the work should be
had no problem in recruiting volunteers.
finished and all sewn together by November
2015. The plan then is for the tapestry to be
Bruce: How many people have helped you to
displayed in the Baptist Church for at least a year
make the Chronicles and how did you select
where it will be open to the public. After that,
them?
a more permanent space – possibly in its own
Andrew: Approximately 60 people have been
building in conjunction with Saltash Heritage
involved with the project so far. Saltash Heritage
and the Saltash Museum – is sought. Ideas
kindly donated photographs, and volunteer
about any future plans are very much still in the
artists from local art groups and arty friends of
melting pot so watch this space!
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