The ‘I spy with my little eye…’ Community Bunting Project needs you!

The idea is to create an ever growing set of bunting flags, which can be treasured by the community for many years to come. It can be brought out to decorate community events and could even be exhibited if we want. Each individual flag should be created and designed by a different household/family/individual.

The design should be inspired by the theme of ‘our villages and the views all around us – near or far’. This can be interpreted however you like – be it of a monument like Stoodley Pike or Heptonstall Church; or something more personal to you such as your washing blowing in the wind, your guitar, your favourite tree or your dog!

Expect to see the first display of the flags at the Heptonstall Festival on Saturday 21st September 2013. The next event that we plan to have the flags displayed at is when the Tour de France cycles its way through Hebden Bridge on Sunday 6 July 2014. There is another local group who are aiming to line Cragg Road – the longest steady incline of any road in England – with bunting flags to celebrate Hebden and the surrounding area. Let’s add our bunting to this event too. Any other ideas for upcoming events please let us know.

How to get involved…

Perhaps this project has been passed to you by a friend and you already have the flag template, but if not, the templates are on display on the notice boards at the following places: Heptonstall Post office, Heptonstall School, Colden School and May’s Farm Shop. The template is just a paper template, made from an A4 piece of paper, to show you the correct size of the triangular bunting flag. Draft your own copy of the template and do one to pass on to a friend too. Once you have your template, find your own fabric, new or reused and cut out your flag. Cut two, if you’re doing both sides.

On the front – do your design inspired by the theme of ‘our villages and the views all around us – near or far’ – using whatever fabrics you like and by whatever means – be it sticking, hand stitching, machine stitch, patchwork, knitting or appliqué. Anything goes!

On the back – put letters to describe the view you’ve chosen e.g. SP for Stoodley Pike, HC for Heptonstall Church, T for Tree, B for Bluebells etc. This is so that children can play an ‘I Spy’ game with the flags when they are displayed.

Once you have completed both sides, return the flags to the friend who passed this project onto you or Heptonstall Post Office, Colden School Office or Heptonstall School Office. Make sure you include the following information on a piece of paper – your name, which village you live in, the date and a description of your flag and any other comments about how special this ‘view’ is to you. These bits of paper will be kept and made into a scrapbook for the project.

Thanks so much for taking part, please spread the word and pass this on to your friends! Any questions please contact anothercuriousidea@gmail.com or zeitgeisthair@gmail.com.