The Girl on the Wall

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Inspired by the ceilings of Burghley House and her unfinished History degree, the author spent sixteen months stitching a tapestry that reflects her life and the evolving world around her. This tapestry features over 70 intersecting circles, each representing different facets of her journey. Jean Baggott, captured in a 1948 photograph as "the girl on the wall," initially faced a life perceived as unremarkable, with her greatest achievements expected to be as a wife and mother. Nearly 60 years later, after the loss of her partner and with her children grown, Jean embarked on the education she had been denied as a girl. The tapestry encompasses significant events, such as the moon landings and the Cuban Missile Crisis, alongside personal memories of music, childhood games, and her experiences growing up during World War II with her brothers. Each chapter features a circle from the tapestry, paired with Jean's narrative that delves into the memories it evokes, revealing the extraordinary details of an ordinary life. The result is a unique and touching portrayal of a seemingly average British woman’s journey from 1940 to today, culminating in a full-colour pull-out of the tapestry included in the book.