To view and order the Millennium Tynwald Tapestry stamps click here.
Isle of Man Post Office has produced a set of 10 beautiful stamps reproducing panels from the Millennium Tapestry which was created and presented to Tynwald in 1979 by the Isle of Man's branch of the Womens Institute (WI) who celebrate their 65th Anniversary in 2015. The stamp issue due for release on April 10 will be officially launched on the day in the afternoon by Madam President, the Hon Clare Christian MLC at the Legislative Buildings.
The Millennium Tapestry consists of 78 embroidered squares which were created by embroiderers in the Isle of Man during the spring of 1977 to April 1979. The work was widely publicised, and any person of either sex who was skilled with a needle could apply for cloth and design.
Financed through the Millennium committee of Tynwald, the tapestry uses a basic design laid out along the lines of a traditional American patchwork, where many needle workers contribute to one piece of work. The tapestry marks 1000 years of Tynwald and the main historical events in the life of Tynwald are given pride of place.
A total of 10 stamps were hand selected from this and include the following highlights: The Viking Arrival - the Norse invasions began in 800AD and remained under Norse rule until 1266AD. The Manx Bill of Rights - passed in 1737 to ensure fair trial. The TT – the races celebrated their centenary in 2007. Tynwald Hill – 12ft high and said to be made of soil brought from each of the 17 parishes on the Island. Transport – the Steam Railway originally built in the late1800s, the unique Manx Electric Railway built between 1893 and 1899, and the Island bus operation which was introduced later as the Railway Company began to falter. The stamps capture the uniqueness of the tapestry, the detail and its texture, as well as a glimpse of the most pivotal events in a history of the Isle of Man.
President of Tynwald, the Hon Clare Christian MLC said: "The images selected by Isle of Man Stamps & Coins show the skills of the members of the Women's Institute who, with their strands of embroidery thread, have depicted strands of a thousand years of parliamentary history and Island life. Since it was gifted for the Tynwald Millennium the tapestry has been housed in the Legislative Building where it is enjoyed and admired by all our visitors. Through the medium of this stamp issue Tynwald is very proud to share images from the Millennium Tapestry with the wider world."
Maxine Cannon, General Manager of Isle of Man Post Office said: "When we embarked on this project we were incredibly confident of the wealth of historical milestones to draw upon. This was a unique opportunity not only to celebrate this fine piece of work but also to mark our continuing celebrations of the WI centenary and of course the Isle of Man Federation on its 65th Anniversary."
The Millennium Tynwald Tapestry is on display on the ground floor in the Legislative Buildings on Finch Road Douglas, Monday to Friday 09.00 – 17.00 (excluding public holidays) for those interested in viewing it.
To view and order the Millennium Tynwald Tapestry stamps click here.