The Stitchery of Catherine Hill, a Lancashire Lass
For this year’s Knit & Stitch Shows the Embroiderers’ Guild are curating a Members’ exhibition on the theme of ‘Land & Sea’.
I’m pleased to share that ‘Butlins 1978’ is part of this year’s exhibition.
‘Flowers, Leaves and Berries’ will also be on display, part of the Embroiderers’ Guild Members’ Challenge ‘Colour Rythms’ exhibition.
You’ll discover both of these beautiful exhibitions on the Embroiderers’ Guild stand.
Butlins 1978 is my latest work inspired by a memorable family holiday to Butlins Skegness holiday camp in 1978.
As soon as the schools broke up for the summer, we’d be off on our family holiday. I loved our annual seaside adventure and in 1978 it was extra special. I was nine years old, and we were staying at Butlins Skegness for the very first time. The campsite had everything I could wish for, all activities were free, and I had the freedom to roam and play on my own wherever I liked.
It was around late Spring each year Mum would start her preparations. She kept to a tight budget and planned everything meticulously.
We had a wonderful time however the backdrop to this story is something I was completely oblivious to at the time. Money was extremely tight.
My parents were dealing with mortgage interest rates of 12% and rising. The UK was in the depths of a period of austerity and later that year the country would experience the ‘Winter of Discontent’.
Original words composed and stitched by Catherine Hill. Hand embroidered onto cotton cloth.
This artwork is part of a series of ‘Red Box’ pieces capturing stories from my childhood in 1970’s Lancashire.
I’m pleased to share that Time Stands Still & Numb have been selected for the Departures Exhibition.
The exhibition takes place at Natural Endings Funeral Directors located at the Former Mail Sorting Depot, Rise Ln, Todmorden, West Yorkshire OL14 7AA, Friday 10th October – Sunday 12th October 2025.
This multi-discipline exhibition will feature artists’ responses to the subject of Death and Passing.
The grief and heartache of losing loved ones can leave a family completely numb, their world comes to a complete halt, and time stands still. This has occurred a few times in my life most recently with the passing of a very close family member.
These artworks are about the loss, grief and harrowing pain once experienced by all.
Thank you to the team at the Departures Exhibition for curating such a sensitive exhibition.
