Glastonbury festival vibe was recreated by Chesterfield residents in back gardens during pandemic

An appeal for souvenirs and stories to feature in a display at the town’s museum in March 2022 has drawn a great response.

Rachel Fannen, museums collections officer, said: “We’ve been finding out some truly wonderful things that have been happening around the borough over the past year. From videos and celebrations happening virtually to substitute Glastonbury festivals in Chesterfield’s back gardens.

"We have received submissions of artworks, photographs, videos, poetry and personal stories and look forward to receiving many more.

"We are also looking for items that people will always associate to lockdown; masks, visors, hand sanitisers, toilet rolls, comfy trousers, homemade rainbows…whatever reminds local people of this strange time.”

Rachel said in the future people will remember the last year as an important part of community history. “Stories of how local people have coped and lived through this crisis is a really emotive and often heart-warming subject,” she said.

At present there is no closing date for people to get in touch with ideas, artworks, images and items for the exhibition.

A textile art project has been also been launched by the museum and Chesterfield Embroiderer’s Guild.

Members of the public are invited to contribute sewn, knitted, painted, dyed or printed squares that convey their experiences, memories and stories of the pandemic. These will form a textile artwork to be hung in the museum and form part of its permanent collection.

Rachel said: “It will be an extremely interesting and significant item for years to come. It will be a legacy for the future that shows how the people of Chesterfield felt about, coped with and lived through the Covid-19 pandemic.”

To submit items for the exhibition or artwork, email [email protected] or [email protected]

READ THIS: Two households or six people can now meet outdoors.

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