Threaded Shelter

Interactive Sound Installation

2026

Threaded Shelter is a sound and textile installation inspired by the domestic experiences of people living in Elmbridge during the Second World War.

The work takes the form of a replica 1940s Morrison shelter, topped with a stitched tablecloth made using make-do-and-mend techniques.

Sewn into the cloth are interactive patches created with conductive thread. When touched, these patches play recorded memories from the People’s War Archive and residents, brought to life through contemporary voices. The narration you hear was recorded by staff, volunteers, and community participants from Elmbridge, alongside voice recordings from local schoolchildren. Together, their voices form a layered soundscape that connects past and present, memory and touch, history and everyday life. 

Gallery
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo is a bird's-eye view of the table. Looking down from above, there are 16 patches.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo shows a side view of the table with a good image of the backdrop showing a typical WWII living room in black and white and an antique wooden captain's chair.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo focuses on a patch of two bells, and an ARP patch.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo shows inside the Morrison Shelter - you can see through the bars of the cage-like walls and onto some bedding where there is a booklet placed on top titled 'The Protection of Your Home Against Air Raids' - The Home Office.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo shows the wider exhibition it was a part of: Echoes of War. In the forefront, there are two mannequins dressed in WWII uniforms, and two glass display cases showing a range of WWII ephemera, including an ARP helmet and a photograph in a frame. Threaded Shelter is further back, at the read of the space.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo is a close-up image of a Ration Book patch, which includes the name John Irelow-Chapman, Oxshott, Surrey. It is very realistic-looking. The book is sewn onto a piece of brown hessian fabric, and there is green backing fabric around it, creating a border.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. In this photo you can see the tablecloth, particularly the end panel which includes the stitched names of everyone who took part in the project. Lots of community members took part in recording stories and sewing the patches onto the tablecloth.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. In this photo we see into the Morrison Shelter and there is some bedding and two children's dolly's placed inside. They are both wearing green dresses. One is a larger porcelin doll and the other is much smaller.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. In this photo we see into the Morrison Shelter. There is some bedding and some children's toys: A small dolly with a flowery dress and brown hair, a small brown traditional teddy bear, and two vintage Ladybird books: Thumbelina and a reading book (title unclear).
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. In this photo you can see the tablecloth, particularly the end panel which includes the stitched names of everyone who took part in the project. Lots of community members took part in recording stories and sewing the patches onto the tablecloth. The photo is quite zoomed in on 'Handmade by Jacqui Ansell' - Jacqui is a team member who sewed the patches and tablecloth and led the workshops with community members.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo focuses on the Ration Book patch, and a patch of a crying baby in a pink nappy.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo focuses on a patch of Neville Chamberlain.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This is a side view of the shelter with a good view of the WWII living room backdrop and a dining chair with a blue leather seat.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story.
This is a photo of Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood. It is a recreation of a Morrison Shelter from WW3 with a bespoke tablecloth containing clothing repair patches. When you touch each patch, a voice tells a story. This photo is a side view showing some of the background, primarily a WWII fireplace, and a dining chair with a leather blue seat cover.

Creative Team
Emily_Peasgood_Elmbridge

Emily Peasgood

Lead Artist, Community Engagement, Sound Design, Conductive Textile Electronics and Installation | emilypeasgood.com
This is a picture of Jacqui Ansell who sewed the patches onto the tablecloth and led the community sewing workshops. She is standing next to Threaded Shelter by Emily Peasgood and smiling at the camera. She has brown hair, a dark brown jacket, a blue dress and a green shoulder bag. She looks like a WWII land girl.

Jacqui Ansell

Textile Artist and Lead Workshop Facilitator
This is a picture of Kate Lynn-Devere who was a workshop facilitator for the community sewing workshops. She has brown hair with a fringe, glasses and a navy blue jumper. She is standing in front of the tablecloth and pointing at it while smiling to the camera.

Kate Lynn-Devere

Workshop Facilitator | katelynndevere.co.uk
Liz_Peters

Elizabeth Peters

Archival Research | searchyourpast.co.uk
Jessica_Clements_Headshot

Jessica Clements

Conductive Textile Assistant | jessanne.com
Screenshot

David Stupple 

Morrison Shelter Modelling | @cowsikeworkshop
This is a picture of Ben Jason who helped to install the artwork and create the audio player. In this picture, Ben is working on the ground, connecting the backdrop panels together. Backdrop panels were placed behind the Threaded Shelter to make it look like a WWII living room scene.

Ben Jayson

Installation Technician | @benjaysonworks
Phil-Self

Phil Self

Oral History Recordist | philself.com
Co-Creation Partners
This project was developed through a series of community workshops exploring storytelling, sound recording and textile making. Volunteers who provided their voices and stories include: Anne Withers, Barbara Halley, Cateleya Van Schalkwyk, Colin Halley, David Harrington, Elizabeth, Emily Cropley, Francesca Wingham, George Jackson, Grace Mortimer, Ian Paul Burrows, Ivy Keyte, Leah Zakss, Seema Richardson, Shanti Satheeskumar and Tamsin Vigar. 
 
Staff from Elmbridge Museum were instrumental in realising this project collaboratively, with special thanks to: Lydia Ackrell, Leah Zakss, Nathalie Allison, Paul Moffett, Susie Batchelor and Vanessa Mitchell. 
Commissioned and Funded By
Threaded Shelter was commissioned by Elmbridge Museum and Elmbridge Borough Council for the Echoes of War Exhibition at Elmbridge Museum, Elmbridge Civic Centre, from 4 to 27 February 2026. Echoes of War was a VE Day and VJ Day 80th commemoration project, supported using public funding by the UK Government through Arts Council England. 
 
 
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Listening Desk
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This Is England

Selected Works
Listening DeskInteractive Sound Archive Sculpture
Threaded ShelterInteractive Sound Installation
This Is EnglandInclusive Community Flag
Haydock LibraryInclusive Library Transformation

Contact Us

Emily Peasgood Studio
St Lawrence Industrial Estate
Ramsgate, Kent CT11
Email: emily@emilypeasgood.com
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