Fishguard tapestry's search for home

The tapestry remembers the last invasion of Fishguard

Campaigners are trying to find a new home for one of Fishguard's main tourist attractions - a tapestry marking the bicentennary of the town's last invasion.

The 100ft long Last Invasion Tapestry, which was sewn by 78 volunteers, tells the tale of the invasion of Britain by the French in 1797.

I fear that taking it away is going to be the death of Fishguard

Yvonne Fox, Fishguard resident

The invasion is said to have been repelled by women dressed as soldiers, led by local woman Jemima Nicholas.

For the last four years, the work has been displayed in a church hall in Fishguard's town square.

Similar to the Bayeux Tapestry, the work has attracted thousands of visitors and provided a boost for the tourism industry in one of Wales's unemployment blackspots.

However, the lease is up and the church wants the property back - the exhibition is facing closure unless it can quickly be rehoused.

Tourist tapestry

The tapestry's owners, the Last Invasion Trust Fund, had originally hoped they would get Objective One and National Lottery funding to build a permanent home for the tapestry in Fishguard.

Trust chairperson Audrey Walker said they had been working hard to get the funding but, as volunteers, there was a limit to the amount of work they could do.

Local hotel owner Mike Lloyd said the tapestry was responsible for bringing in a lot of trade.

The tapestry is on show in the town

"If it goes away, is it going to come back?" he asked.

"If it goes away nobody, is going to see it for years?"

Yvonne Fox who played heroine Jemima Nicholas in a re-enactment of the invasion, said she was hearbroken the tapestry was to be put under wraps.

"I fear that taking it away is going to be the death of Fishguard," she said.

Organisers are working hard to get a temporary overseas home for the tapestry either in Ireland or in Fishguard's twin town of Brest in Brittany.

If no solution is found the work, will have to go into storage at the end of the month.