THE design on a special quilt created to celebrate Tavistock?s 900th birthday is being kept a closely guarded secret. Goosey Quilters will be unveiling the new Charter Quilt on August 31, at a special Charter Celebration service at the Parish Church. The quilt, which has been designed and made by members of Tavistock?s quilting club, will celebrate the market town?s 900th birthday, before being displayed in the Pannier Market. Barbara Curson, chairperson of Goosey Quilters said about the design of the quilt that: ?Eileen is the big name! Eileen Foster designed it all and we then had a day at Cowslip workshop in Launceston to cut it out and give everyone a different bit to do. Then we had another day where we put it all together?. The design of the quilt is top-secret, and will not be unveiled until the service at the end of August, where everyone will be able to see it, before it goes to its new home. ?It?s going to be displayed in the market. The market people have been great and collected money for a case for it. The market is the right place for it?. The unveiling service has been organised by the Prebendary John Rawlings of the Parish Church who will also conduct the service. ?I?m calling it a Charter Celebration Songs of Praise and everyone is welcome. ?It?s really a sort of songs of praise service, people singing their favourite hymns and reflecting on the past 900 years of the town?. The service promises to be ?a joyful celebration of the town, and the church within that?, with music from a brass ensemble and organist as well as readings and prayers. The service is to take place on Wednesday, August 31, which marks St Rumon?s Day. Preb Rawlings said: ?St Rumon was one of the patrons of the Abbey. Some of the youngsters from the school will come because of them being part of the church family, although everyone is welcome?. The church service starts at 7pm in the Parish Church, with the unveiling of the quilt taking place within it.
