Embroidery on display as town celebrates conqueror

An artwork created to mark the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings is on public display in the town for the first time in several years.

The Hastings Embroidery, crafted in 1966, tells the story of 900 years of history, showing "snippets of life" over that time, Hastings Borough Council (HBC) said. It went on show at Hastings Town Hall on Saturday and can be seen until October.

Free tickets are available for the exhibition, which coincides with the Bayeux Tapestry going on display at the British Museum in London.

Julia Hilton, deputy leader of HBC, described the embroidery as "an incredible piece of work" covering 900 years of history and Norman heritage.

The exhibition forms part of the Year of the Normans celebrations in Hastings.

Hilton said: "We're delighted to be celebrating the 1000th anniversary of William the Conqueror's birth. He played such a huge part in the story of our town."

Other events include a Norman-inspired banner trail between Hastings railway station and Hastings Castle, a Bayeux Family Day at Hastings Contemporary, and a programme of workshops with community groups.

On 12 September, Hastings Castle will host Beyond the Bayeux, an event featuring music, theatre and projections.

The Bayeux Tapestry arrived in the UK in July and is due to go on display at the British Museum next month.

The nearly 70m (230ft)-long embroidery tells the story of the events leading up to the Norman invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

The tapestry is thought to have been made in Kent in the 11th century.

Although known as the Bayeux Tapestry, it is an embroidery made from linen and stitched in wool.

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