‘The Common Tie That Makes Us One’ - The Tapestry Unveiling

Last week members of the GWC and GWLC community gathered to celebrate the unveiling of their specially commissioned anniversary tapestry in the John Martin Building.

In 2019, a committee was formed to plan celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of George Watson’s Ladies’ College. At the first meeting, it was proposed that a tapestry be stitched. This new work would follow in the tradition of the banner which had hung in the gallery at George Square and which had been created to mark the 50th anniversary of GWLC in 1921. It would be something of artistic merit and symbolic significance which would reflect the heritage of George Square and St Alban’s Road, but would also become part of the life of the now co-educational George Watson’s College at Colinton Road.

The tapestry, designed by Artist Andrew Crummy, has been a community project, emulating the original banner which had been stitched in the 1920s by girls and women who were also amongst the first to sing the school hymn, God of our Youth (written by the former Head, Miss Ainslie). Amongst her most moving lines is that which refers to ‘the common tie that makes us one’. A lyric which represents the new tapestry perfectly. A spokesperson on the committee said: 

“The celebrations were designed to encourage former GWLC pupils to reconnect with each other in ways that they would find engaging and enjoyable. There would be at least one lasting tangible item created to mark this anniversary – a new Tapestry created by a Watson's community of stitchers”

Our community of stitchers for the current project was made up of former George Square girls and their friends, former pupils and staff of today’s George Watson’s College, as well as current pupils, including the very youngest. However, the tapestry connected them back to the girls who stitched the original banner in the early 1920s, helped by their mothers, teachers and former pupils, many of whom (including Miss Ainslie herself) would have attended GWLC in its early years. A tie, a school tie, a link, a thread that connects us through time and around the world. 

Now, the new tapestry, made of three parts, hangs in the John Martin Building. Each representing a different part of the Watson’s history:

Panel 1 - GWLC 1921–1974

This panel reflects something of the experience of being at George Square and St Alban’s Road during the 53-54 year span from 1921, the 50th anniversary of the founding of GWLC, to 1974/75, when the School merged with George Watson’s Boys’ College at Colinton Road.

Panel 2 - Girls and their uniforms across the years 

The inspiration for each of these girls was taken from school photographs and collected memories. However, the stitched figures are artistic representations rather than accurate depictions of exactly what girls were wearing in any particular era.

Panel 3 - The experience of pupils at George Watson’s College in the early 2020s

Designed by Cara, Mandy and Emilia, S5 Art pupils, who took as their main image a cherry tree from the iconic row that line the front of School and are in full flower in the spring:

“We wanted our panel to appear organic and natural.”

Within the branches and petals of the tree would rest emblems and images of many different elements of life at Watson’s today, both the curriculum and issues that are of concern to pupils.

“We also wanted to reflect the diversity and inclusivity of our community.”

“The power of the colour pink was important and the pink petals of the cherry tree, blowing back across all three panels show that we are anchored by our connection with the girls who went before us.”

The Tapestry Committee and Stitch Council would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to all those who have given their time, expertise and patience to the GWLC 150 Tapestry. The total number of individuals who have come together to stitch this ‘common tie’ was 1,221! A landmark achievement! Over six years, the wider Watsonian community has encouraged, nurtured and supported all our stitchers, designers, helpers and friends who have made the completion of this project possible - truly, Ex Corde Caritas.

The Tapestry Project is funded by a bequest from the Welstead family, in honour of their mother and grandmother, Wendy Welstead.