CUSHIONS created to mark the Millennium have been praised as one of the region’s great hidden treasures.
Mainly American quilting enthusiasts on a tour of the north of England were bowled over by the cushions on show in Ripon Cathedral.
The 38 boxed cushions tell the story of the city and were created as a community project involving many local people.
Those who contributed ranged in age from six to over 90 and included schoolchildren, nuns and a former German prisoner of war. Altogether five million stitches were required.
The visit by the 23-strong overseas group came about after tour organiser Martha Liska, from Washington State, saw the cushions briefly five years ago.
One of the group, Jane Riewe, said: "The cushions are a secret that should not be kept any longer. They are hidden treasures worthy of a BBC documentary.”
The group also met local woman Marion Thew who helped design many of the cushions and who told the story behind them and how they came about.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here