The team of dozens who worked together to produce the giant quilt

A COLLOSAL patchwork quilt was unveiled over a community centre in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Caxton House Community Centre in St John’s Way, Archway, rolled out the 160sq metre patchwork quilt from cherry pickers last weekend to celebrate the longevity of the centre.

Put together over six months by more than 70 local residents, it was produced from donated clothes and fabrics, and will cover the building’s facade “until it becomes weathered”.

The patchwork quilt over Caxton House Community Centre

Rose Collins, the creative co-ordinator at the centre, said: “After four weeks we expect it might start to wear a bit, but in the meantime we’re just glad it is up so everyone can just continue enjoying it.”

The centre was first opened in the early 1900s as a “workhouse” before being turned into a council retirement home in the 1930s.

Ms Collins said: “We were talking about doing something to commemorate the building, we had this idea of covering the building in something. Kevan and I eventually decided to do a giant patchwork quilt. It’s a global craft, so it’s used by people all around the world, and that was the inspiration for the project.”

Kevan Tomlin

Kevan Tomlin, who runs the centre’s recycle and stitch sessions, added: “It’s amazing for me, coming from a professional fashion background, coming now to bring my skills to deliver them to people who may never have the opportunity to engage with creative practices like this.”

Caxton House was first opened in 1976 and delivers legal advice as well as creative sessions for its diverse local community.

It was demolished and then redeveloped into the community centre in 1976. Caxton House will be hosting a community festival to celebrate the anniversary on August 28 and 29.