The Coral Reef

At Tate Britain - The Coral Reef by Mike Nelson. One of the best things I've seen for ages. Extraordinary that it seems a commentary on Islam in the post 9-11 world. Yet it was created in 2000.
Must be seen to be believed. My photos, of course, don't do it justice.
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Embroidery focus group in Battersea

Women from North Africa and Somalia at the Katherine Lowe Community Centre in Battersea, south London, bring in their embroidery. Above - a wedding gift. Napkins embroidered in Agadir, Morocco, by a friend who was taught by Spanish nun. The patterns reflect the Islamic influence in the embroidery patterns seen in central Spain.



















Another wedding gift. Sarah Rackham, group leader, with a tablecloth embroidered by her aunt and given to her as a wedding present.

Pulling out the stops in Tooting

The first focus group and we're dazzled. The room at the community centre, where the group meets, is filled with suitcases, bags and bundles. It's the first time I meet Jessica Aldred of the Royal School of Needlework (who throws herself into the project with a passion) and in one sense we don't know where to start. Such is the variety of pieces brought in, the stitches and the background. We take as many photos as we can. We make a list of the stitches, some regional that Jessica has not seen before. People tell their stories.
We're lucky with the light. There is just time to take photographs in the street as the sun sets.