RAILWAY and needlework enthusiasts were brought together for the launch of a new exhibition.

The Great Western Embroiderers’ exhibit, Off the Rails, a display of Great Western Railway-themed embroidery, is running at Steam until March 1.

Members have been working on the project for about a year, which included coming down to the museum to sketch and photograph what interested them.

The group put on a brief but successful exhibition at the Steam Festival and met railway enthusiast and Swindon Mayor Steve Wakefield who offered to help them with their launch.

The Great Western Embroiderers is made up of 20 members, both experienced artists and beginners, who meet once a month at the Blackthorn Centre in Cricklade.

It was started in 2007 by founders Maggie Harris, of Blunsdon, and Kath Danswan, of Old Town, both 59, who still tutor and do workshops on textiles.

The name does not limit them to embroidery of the railway and Mrs Danswan said it was just a happy coincidence.

“We just decided that we wanted something that would tell people straight away where we’re from and we thought Great Western would give us that image that we were from this area,” she said.

“The first place we wanted to do some work had to be the Steam museum because it would bring people in to Swindon and bring people into Steam who wouldn’t normally come.”

With the event so well advertised in embroidery magazines, they know already of people who are coming from far and wide to see it.

“It’s very good, I’m very impressed by some of the works done here in fact it’s very clever what they have done,” said Coun Wakefield.

“It’s nice to see so many ladies interested in the railway which proves the point I’m always making that railways aren’t just for men and I think that there’s two or three items here which really stand out. There’s a lot of talent in the town and to combine heritage and embroidery together just really says it’s another good thing town does.”

Elaine Arthurs, collections officer for Steam, said this was one of a number of exhibitions done by the public.

She said: “It’s usually one person’s artwork so it makes it a little bit more interesting and it’s inspired by objects and themes of the museum.

“We’re sure that the exhibition will draw in lots of visitors.”

The next exhibition in May, set up by Ms Arthurs herself, and is called ‘Glamorous Great Western’ and will feature various items and pictures from the glamorous travel of the 1920s.

New members of any standard are welcome and anyone interested in joining the embroidery group should contact either Maggie at maggie@margaretharris.co.uk or Kath at kath.danswan@tiscali.co.uk or call 01793 533268.