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Wallfest: Helen Riddle Viewing and Talk

Free
Saturday 23 May 2026
Start time:10AM - End time: 12PM
DATE: Saturday 23 May 2026
Start time:10AM - End time: 12PM
PRICE: Free
AGE RANGE:
Adults
Families
Ticketing

No booking required - just turn up and enjoy!

Join the Northern Society of Costume and Textiles as they celebrate Helen Riddle’s intricate textile response to Waterton’s Wall - a pioneering symbol of early wildlife conservation.

Charles Waterton (1782–1865) was a naturalist and explorer who created the world’s first nature reserve on his own estate near Wakefield in the early 19th century. His radical commitment to protecting wildlife influenced figures such as Charles Darwin and marked an important moment in the history of nature conservation in England. Helen Riddle’s work responds to this legacy through textile processes that explore themes of decay, repair and protection.

Helen’s artworks are on display as part of Wallfest, marking the bicentenary of the construction of Waterton’s Wall.

10.00am – Gallery Viewing (Main Space)

We begin with a guided viewing of A Stitch in Time in the main gallery space, offering the opportunity to experience Helen’s work up close.

11.00am – Artist Talk (Upstairs Rooms)

Helen Riddle, a Wakefield-based textile artist working primarily with felt-making, free-motion embroidery and hand stitch, will give a talk about the inspiration and processes behind the project. First shown in 2022, A Stitch in Time saw Helen combine textile techniques with construction materials for the first time. This talk accompanies the 2026 re-showing of the exhibition and reflects on the development of the work.

Further details about the project can be found on Helen’s website.

 

 

Wallfest: Helen Riddle Viewing and Talk
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Plan your visit

Placed conveniently in the heart of the city, WX is the perfect place to meet friends, make memories with family, attend an event, or grab a bite to eat or drink. 

There are multiple ways you can reach Wakefield Exchange by clicking on the link.

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