Hosting the Coat of Hopes

Lewes Climate Hub was honoured to host the Coat of Hopes on its return to Lewes, before its next pilgrimage to the Isle of Wight and Lands End. Instigated by Lewes-based artist Barbara Keal, the Coat is a collaborative community art project carrying people’s hopes in the face of the climate and ecological emergency, sewn into the blanket patches of which it is made.

 The Coat has walked nearly 2000 miles to date and been worn by hundreds of people in an ongoing pilgrimage across the UK.

The Coat’s residence at the Hub included a patching and mending session with Lewes Repair Café sewists and others, adding new messages of hope to the Coat and readying it for its next journey.

Barbara Keal says: “Walking the Coat of Hopes through Britain we have been inspired by many pockets of hope – communities where people come together to connect and support each other in changing towards more sustainable ways of living. How wonderful to bring the thread of our walk full circle, and find such a place at home – Lewes Climate Hub! What a privilege to bring all the challenge and encouragement of thousands of steps and stitches to say thank you for the wonderful work the Hub does.”

Learn more about the Coat of Hopes, follow its journey (and accompany it wherever you can) at: https://www.coatofhopes.uk