Help is being given to Romanian families living in poverty thanks to an initiative between West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, the Smiles Foundation and the Tileagd gypsy community in rural Romania. The women of the community are making an exclusive range of inventively embroidered home accessories for sale in the shop at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village.
The bags, cushion covers, bookmarks and bound notebooks are all made using canapé, a traditional Romanian fabric made of cotton and hemp. The skilful embroidery features designs based on the Anglo-Saxon houses at West Stow, including flowing interlocking patterns and the familiar roof shapes, all in subtly coloured wools.
Carole Rainbird, a volunteer for the Smiles Foundation, said:
“This new project should really make a difference to the people of the Tileagd gypsy community because it will provide a new source of income to people who are living in extreme poverty. It will enable some of the women to earn money for the first time."
These unique items, priced from an affordable £2.50, are now on sale at the heritage shop at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village. Call 01284 728718 for more information.
ENDS
ISSUED BY: CHRIS WHITE, HERITAGE OFFICER, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL TEL: 01284 728718. christine.white@stedsbc.gov.uk
