A COLLECTION of vibrant textiles created by Camphill communities across the globe is now showing in Stroud.

After more than a year of preparation, the World Wide Weave exhibition has opened in the Old Town Hall, where it will show until January 10.

Camphill communities, such as Gannicox in Stonehouse, provide opportunities for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems and other special needs to live, learn and work together with others in an atmosphere of mutual respect and equality. There is currently a network of 121 communities (61 in the UK and Ireland) worldwide.

The World Wide Weave project has involved hundreds of people from the Camphill movement, in 19 distinct nations and regions, with contributions created in 61 communities. Every one of the 75 pieces of textile art in the exhibition is unique and each one has its own story to tell. The 75 panels celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Camphill Movement, which began on June 1, 1940.

Just to pick out a few examples, there is a stunning felting of the Russian landscape from the Camphill day-centre Turmalin in Moscow, where at first they were not sure they could do anything at all and then completed and delivered a masterpiece in record time. There is an enchanting tapestry of Tapola in Finland, brimful of colourful and also accurate details of the village and its life, and a similar brilliantly coloured creation from Kyle in Ireland. There is a matching pair of spring and autumn feltings from Corbenic in Scotland, impressive in their artistry, colour and detail.

Different individuals in a group collaborated on a single piece of art, each contributing towards the finished work. This has been a major feature in the development of the World Wide Weave. In some places everyone in the textile workshop was involved, in others every member of the entire community, so that every person who passed the workshop was invited in to weave a few threads or add some small detail to the whole picture. It was a strong community experience of social weaving, as well as a hands-on experience of the craft. Many of the communities have used home produced and also recycled materials in the World Wide Weave and the theme of caring for natural resources, recycling and renewal runs like a special thread throughout the exhibition.

The exhibition tour takes in the whole of the UK and Ireland in 2015, returning full circle to Stroud (Museum in the Park) for the first week in January 2016. It will then move on to Switzerland, Finland and North America in 2016. All details and information will be posted on the website www.camphillfoundation.net

World Wide Weave is at the Old Town Hall, Stroud, until January 10. It will be open seven days a week, 9.30am to 4.30pm, except for December 24, 25 and 26.