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IPSWICH'S renowned Charter Hangings have been shipped across the Atlantic as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first English speaking settlement in USA as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Bartholomew Gosnold's landing in 1607. He had set off from Ipswich the previous year and it was in Jamestown that he helped to establish the first settlement. The eight embroidered panels, which chronicle the history of Ipswich over the last 1,000 years, are in Jamestown where they will be exhibited in the newly opened Legacy Hall. During their stay, the hangings will be viewed by the Queen and president George Bush. Their arrival caused some drama after customs impounded them for ten days because the paper work was not completely in order. The grand tour will continue when the hangings move from Jamestown to Ipswich Massachusetts where they will remain until the end of July. Plans are afoot for the Charter Hangings to be the focal point in a series of educational studies throughout their residency. The Ipswich Charter Hangings are eight 3'6" x 5' colorfully embroidered framed textile panels that depict the eight centuries of Ipswich, UK, history -- from its founding in 1200 when King John granted a royal charter to create the town to Ipswich's present-day character as a busy industrial port that lives happily with its historical past. Each Charter Hanging is a brilliant collage of castles, churches, taverns, public buildings, marketplaces, museums, bridges, horse-drawn carriages, ships, and ferries; historical figures, kings, farmers, and fishermen; coats of arms, royal seals, and religious symbols; and natural elements including the River Orwell which flows through each panel. Commissioned in 2000 by the Ipswich (UK) Arts Association, Isabel Clover, the nationally acclaimed lecturer, teacher, and embroidery artist, completed the first panel in 2000 for the 800th anniversary celebration of Ipswich, UK. Working with some of her talented students, she spent the next three years completing the remaining seven panels of hand- and machine-stitched embroidery, fabric, leather, and metallic thread. The Ipswich Arts Association describes the Charter Hangings as "jewel-like," "fine works of masterly composition," "a pageant of the town's history," and "a display of embroidering techniques." They describe Isabel Clover as the "presiding genius" of the project.