Wells Cathedral unveils 4m Tapestry of Black Britons, highlighting wartime contributions

Wells Cathedral in Somerset hosts a four-metre tapestry that foregrounds the wartime service of Black British, Caribbean and African personnel. The piece is part of the Tapestry of Black Britons and will be on display at the cathedral until November 29.

Created by the Bristol-based textile studio Dash and Miller, with embroidery by Jacky Puzey, the tapestry measures about four metres and blends the storytelling style of the Bayeux Tapestry with African weaving traditions. It honors Black, Caribbean and African service members who supported the Allied effort in World War II, marking the 80th anniversary of the war’s end.

Paula Ogun Hector, the project lead, describes the artwork as a living thread that shows how British culture and society have been shaped by people of African descent. She says the project is part of ongoing efforts to weave in history that has long been missing from the national narrative.

The tapestry features portraits of Lilian Bader, the first Black woman to join the British Armed Forces, and centenarian Prince Albert Jacob from Knowle, West Midlands. Jacob joined the RAF in 1943 and traveled to the United States before returning to England to repair aircraft. He appeared in the tapestry during a Birmingham Black History Month display.

Paula Ogun Hector emphasizes that the exhibition is a catalyst for engagement, inviting more families to share their diverse histories. A photo banner was later created to include these new voices as descendants contributed their stories, and it was shown at Bristol Beacon in November.

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