At Bull House, Lewes Climate Hub and Dolly Clothing throughout January – see article for details.
After walking nearly 2,000 miles around the UK, the Coat of Hopes is back in its home town of Lewes before it embarks on its next pilgrimage to Land’s End. Here’s how you can see it and learn more about this unique art project carrying hope across the country.
Instigated by Lewes-based artist Barbara Keal, the Coat of Hopes 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. On 4 January it returned to Lewes in a procession from Brighton to Cliffe Bridge and up Lewes High Street to reside in the town before it embarks on its next pilgrimage to Land’s End.
The Coat of Hopes at Bull House
From 4 January to 28 January, the Coat of Hopes will reside at Bull House, 92 High Street, the former home of Thomas Paine, the radical thinker whose writings influenced the French Revolution and the American War of Independence.
2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. The Thomas Paine: Legacy project, which is based at Bull House, is planning a year-long programme of events exploring themes of freedom, liberty and democracy.
Leanne O’Boyle, director of The Thomas Paine: Legacy project says: “On 10 January 1776, Thomas Paine published Common Sense, writing the extraordinary words ‘We have it in our power to begin the world over again’. I am delighted to be working with Barbara Keal and team as the Coat of Hopes returns home to Lewes, encouraging people to think about the future of their own communities.”
On Wednesday 28 January at midday, the Coat of Hopes will be walked from Bull House to Lewes Climate Hub for a four-day residency. The Hub will be open to view the Coat 11am-3pm until Friday 30 January.
EVENTS
Sunday 18 January, 12-3pm, Dolly Clothing, 3 North Court Sewing our hopes and mending the Coat at Dolly, Lewes, A supported stitching session with Diana Uprichard to mend and contribute to the Coat of Hopes. Limited to 8 places, please email to book your place.
Thursday 22 January, 7pm at Bull House, 92 High Street Talk: Ask me where I’m going? 2000 miles with the Coat of Hopes Artist Barbara Keal shares learnings from the Coat’s journey so far. Reserve places by emailing
Wednesday 28 January, 12 noon, Bull House, 92 High Street The Coat of Hopes procession to Lewes Climate Hub All are warmly welcome to join this short procession from 92 High Street to 32 High Street, with song and an opportunity to wear the coat as we walk along.
Friday 30 January, 11am-1pm, Lewes Climate Hub, 32 High Street Mending and patch-making for the Coat of Hopes at the Climate Hub Join Lewes Repair Cafe sewists to help contribute new patches to add to the Coat.
Saturday 31 January, 3pm, Lewes Climate Hub, 32 High Street Walk the Coat of Hopes to St Anne’s Church As it prepares to leave Lewes for its next pilgrimage, come and accompany the Coat on a procession to St Anne’s Church on Western Road (meet at Lewes Climate Hub from 3pm for departure at 3.30pm).
Sunday 1 February, meet 9.45am, meet at St Anne’s Church, Western Road, Lewes The Coat departs Lewes See the Coat off on its way west, join the walk for 10 minutes, the whole day to Clayton (near Hassocks) or even 9 days to the Isle of Wight. Let the Coat team know by emailing
