Threads of Remembrance Exhibition

Since January 2024, our amazing local community has crafted nearly 2,000 forget-me-not flowers, each one lovingly handmade and sewn onto a large fabric. The flowers hold deep meaning – forget-me-nots were grown in the trenches during WWI, and today, they symbolise remembrance and the fight against loneliness, as well as awareness for Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Every Thursday, local residents gathered at the museum, contributing over 3,000 hours to create these handcrafted flowers. Over 20 people have been involved throughout the year, dedicating their time and care to remember loved ones and honor 110 years since the start of WWI.

Forget-me-nots, which were grown by soldiers in the trenches to remind them of loved ones back home, serve as a powerful symbol of remembrance. Each flower in the exhibition represents both personal and collective memories, woven together by the community.

The Threads of Remembrance exhibition is now going on tour around Congleton. You can see it at St. Peter’s Church, Congleton Library, Bear Grills, and Bench Bistro before it returns to Congleton Museum in time for Remembrance weekend.

What began as a coffee morning, where individuals gathered to chat and craft, has turned into something truly extraordinary.

Help turn the exhibition into Threads of Remembrance

The museum invites members of the public to write someone they wish to remember, or share a meaningful thought about remembrance, on a tag and place it around a flower. This will make the exhibition become Threads of Remembrance. Tags and pens will be provided next to the exhibition.

Kath Maluk’s Testimony

“My favorite part was meeting new people and connecting with others in the area. I’ve really enjoyed working with the community. I was surprised by how many volunteered to make the flowers—it’s taken a lot of time, but the project has been excellent.”
– Kath Maluk, session leader of Threads of Remembrance