The Coat of Hopes has begun its five-week journey across the Island, provoking curiosity, intrigue and admiration along the way!
Comprising more than 700 patches made by community groups across the UK, the Coat was created for the COP 26 climate conference in 2021 to carry people’s hopes for the future of the planet.
It has since been travelling around the country, and is on the Island until 16th March. On its passage to the Island it clocked up its 2,000th mile.
St Helen’s Eco Church patch
One of the patches in the Coat was submitted by St Helen’s Eco Church. This contains an image of the Island and a white-tailed eagle.
Drawing visitors
The first leg of the Coat’s Island journey was on Saturday, when it was walked from Department in Ryde along the seafront to St Helens.
It drew many visitors to Department for their ‘for the love of stitch’ week, and also spent time at Monkton Arts and the New Carnival Company.
Sewing more patches and carrying out repair work
Heavy rain prevented a planned walk around the green in St Helens on the Sunday, but many came to see and wear the Coat in the Community Centre, sewing new patches and doing repair work.
There were also activities for children, who had seen the Coat when it visited St Helens Primary School during the week. A well-attended ‘Service of Hope’ was held in the Chapel in the evening.
Newchurch and Newport
On Monday the Coat was walked from St Helens to Newchurch, and on the Tuesday from Newchurch to Newport Minster, where it featured in their Ash Wednesday service.
It then went to Independent Arts in the High Street, where it will stay until Monday 23rd February.
Further walks
Further walks include: Newport to Brighstone (28th February); Brighstone to Freshwater Bay (7th March); and Freshwater to Yarmouth (15th March).
Get in touch or find out more
Anyone wanting to join one of these walks should contact: [email protected]
More information about the Coat can be found on the website.
News shared by Andrew, in his own words. Ed
