The Millennium
The Sunbury Millennium Embroidery is intended as a permanent, commemorative record which celebrates the ancient riverside village of Sunbury-on-Thames and its community at the turn of the year 2000. Although the Millennium is in some ways an arbitrary date, the threshold between the twentieth and the twenty-first century has a strong resonance which focuses both hopes and fears. The Embroidery is an uncomplicated response to this moment in time.

In essence the idea was to create something that was expressive of a community in the year 2000, and that was also able to include as many people as possible in its creation. Designed by John Stamp from an original idea by David Brown the embroidery has come to involve over 140 people in its making. Many more however have been involved in a less direct (but no less important) way, from sponsorship, through to moral encouragement and appreciation. Many have seen it evolve from its early beginnings and become regular visitors.  The embroidery work, in preparation since 1996, has been overseen by Pam Judd. Since March 1999 the separate pieces of work have been assembled in the Embroidery Workshop at 'Riverbank', Thames Street, and this has attracted more than fifteen hundred visitors who have come to see the work taking shape.

The Embroidery
The Embroidery is composed of a number of separate parts. The centrepiece is the Village Panel which is nine ft long and three feet high. This contains over 130 separate pieces which have been assembled onto a background canvas. Many buildings are reproduced, including churches and public houses and examples of Sunbury's fine domestic architecture. These are interspersed with local scenes, such as the Walled Garden and Sunbury Park, and also with a number of sporting activities. Embroideries of birds, plants and wildlife complete the panel.

Accompanying the Village Panel are eight side panels, each two feet wide and three feet high. These highlight different aspects of Sunbury's history and character, from its archaeological origins to the present day. A further element comprises the badges and insignia of local groups and organizations which alternate in their arrangement with a traditional canvas work design. Each piece is a nine inch square worked in tent stitch, and the final number of pieces will exceed one hundred.

The Village
The village is fortunate in its location, which offers many natural advantages. But it is fortunate in other ways too. This project has touched on the great number of voluntary groups that enhance the life of the village for all ages. There are thriving arts societies, strong community and social support groups, and many sporting clubs. These all serve to enrich the quality of life which Sunbury takes forward into the next millennium.