Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement’s cultural engagement programme continues to grow, and our latest exhibition – Cosmic Threads – has brought people together through creativity on a remarkable scale.

To mark 80 years of discovery and connection with the Universe, we invited the public to participate in our community quilt project inspired by the site’s rich heritage and pioneering scientific achievements. Working alongside textile artist Anne Kelly, participants were encouraged to craft a textile square reflecting their personal connections to Jodrell Bank and the wonders of the cosmos.

The response was unprecedented, with over 230 submissions from across the UK and as far as Brazil, resulting in 10 individual quilts being produced. Each panel represents a window into someone’s relationship with our site and the wider wonders of space. From cherished childhood memories to interpretations of our scientific discoveries and cultural heritage, the variety was extraordinary. Emma Morgan’s panel captures this beautifully: “Ever since winning a trip to Jodrell Bank as a child, the Lovell Telescope has been one of my favourite local landmarks, so my contribution to the community quilt pays tribute to this awesome portal to unknown worlds and galaxies.”

Anne Kelly herself was moved by how the project came together: “What struck me most, once the panels were assembled, was how well each contribution supported the others and how clearly each could be seen.”

Participants were invited to a special preview on 23 January, before the quilt opened to the public in our Space Pavilion on 24 January. The exhibition is now on display and will run until 27 March, after which it joins our permanent collection. Cosmic Threads is a celebration not only of Jodrell’s scientific legacy but of the community that continues to shape its history.

• Find out more here