To mark 80 years of discovery and connection with the universe, we invited the public to join us in a celebratory project – Cosmic Threads – a community quilt inspired by Jodrell Bank’s rich heritage and ground-breaking discoveries.

Embroidery and astronomy share a long tradition of inviting people to imagine the universe for themselves. Working with textile artist Anne Kelly, this project encouraged participants to craft a 23 cm x 23 cm textile panel that shared their personal connections to the wonders of the cosmos, with the finished creations to eventually join our permanent collection.

We had over 200 submissions from people of all walks of life, including locally, nationally, and internationally. They explored topics ranging from personal encounters with the site and memories of the Lovell Telescope, to interpretations of our research, heritage, and wider cultural significance.

The finished artworks were displayed in a dedicated exhibition from January – March 2026, and we are now in the process of preparing their new home on site (watch this space). In the meantime, we have compiled a booklet exploring the background and composition of the project, showcasing each submission, and sharing the inspiring stories behind them:

We’d like to once again thank all those who participated for their creativity and time; the project is an testament to the incredible community surrounding Jodrell Bank and all who find connection through our story and work.

What struck me most, once the panels were assembled, was how well each contribution supported the others and how clearly each could be seen. I would like to thank the Jodrell Bank team and all of the contributors for making this unique project happen.

I am delighted and honoured to have been commissioned to create this memorable piece and to work with the Jodrell Bank community.

Anne Kelly, textile artist