Above: Examining the Quaker Tapestry with a magnifying glassAbove left: A detail from one of the tapestry panelsCentre: Red-cloaked Quaker Mary Hughes, famous for her philanthropyoffending laces at the back of the old mounted tapestry, which were causing too much stress and tension, to allow us to see the reverse of the embroidery. So far, we have discovered evidence of last-minute changes of mind with the design and embroidery; we can see where the embroiderers have unpicked sections and moved them. Some of the embroiderers have signed and dated their work on the back and there are many scribbled notes of which colours to use and where," Guest reveals. The tapestry is displayed in the Meeting House Exhibition Centre in Kendal, which is also home to an accredited museum. Visitors discover how the Quakers are linked to chocolate (though not oats) and learn how an 'old-fashioned' approach to food has become fashionable again. The Full Steam Ahead exhibition, complete with working model railway, also tells the story of Edward Pease, a Darlington Quaker, and George Stephenson, an accomplished engineer, who shared a vision and built a railway. Also on show is the 'Barrett Friendship Quilt', a 19th-century quilt that is considered to be a major work of art with connections to the Victorian art world, William Morris and Queen Victoria.Guest continues: "It's a great privilege to work so closely with the tapestry in this way. The volunteers enjoy the opportunity to examine the embroidery, often under the magnifi er, and marvel at the different techniques used by the thousands of men, women and children who were involved in the making." ?WELL PRESERVEDThe work conserving the tapestry panels will continue throughout 2012. The key tasks include creating a new 'cushion' for the tapestry panel to sit on, cleaning and reframing. "We have been researching and designing this project for the last two years, and after consulting various experts we were able to come up with the perfect design solution for preserving our own embroideries," says textile expert Bridget Guest. If you would like to see this work in progress at Kendal there are a number of programmed sessions throughout 2012 where you can combine a visit to the exhibition with an opportunity to view the work. Check the website for further details: www.quaker-tapestry.co.uk VISITOR INFORMATIONMeeting House Exhibition Centre, Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4BHContact: 01539 722975; www.quaker-tapestry.co.ukAdmission: Adults £7.50; children aged 5+ £2.50; concessions £6.50Open: Monday to Saturday from 2 April - 15 December 2012 (including Bank Holidays),10am-5pmGroup bookings: £5.50 per person for pre-booked groups of 15 or more. Includes a free introductory talk about the Quaker Tapestry. Call 01539 722975Getting there: The Meeting House Exhibition Centre is close to Kendal Bus Station and the railway station is also nearbywww.nadfas.org.uk NADFAS REVIEW / SPRING 2012 47 THE QUAKER TAPESTRY

It has been the inspiration of NADFAS National Chairman Gri Harrison to instigate a fl agship annual event for young people and last October saw the launch of this exciting initiative. Working in partnership with Mark Miller, Shaun Curtis and the Youth Programmes team at Tate, we devised a day's symposium aimed at 15 to 18 year olds. The time would be spent looking at different forms of conservation, thinking about the issues involved, and exchanging views on the hotly debated topic Why Save Anything?.Planning for the event not only involved several fascinating trips 'backstage' at Tate Britain, but also included meeting many of the extremely interesting and helpful members of staff. The list of speakers and artists was agreed and the publicity launched. NADFAS Review proved to be an ideal medium and several NADFAS contacts came on the day. The Tate's website and their schools network provided the rest and we ended up with 169 participants, travelling from as far afi eld as Darlington and Scotland.But how to make this a day that would be attractive and inspirational to this quite challenging age group? Well, start with food! Coffee and croissants Above: Students consider the issue of art conservation and destruction Out with the old?'Why Save Anything?' was the theme at the fi rst Young Arts Symposium, held at Tate Britain. Young people from across the country came, saw and discussed during a thought-provoking day with a host of experts. Caroline Lorimer talks us through the day 48 NADFAS REVIEW / SPRING 2012 www.nadfas.org.ukYOUTH PROGRAMME