A UNIQUE community project, created by nimble fingers in the Cotswolds, is being sent to America as a surprise gift.

The Civil War quilt has been created in Stow and will be winging its way to the US town of Appomattox, in Virginia, after the two towns forged a ‘friendship link’ based on an historical parallel.

Stow staged the final battle of the 1st English Civil War, in 1646, and the Battle of Appomattox Court House was the last in the American Civil War in 1865 – marking its 150th anniversary this year.

The quilt is the brainchild of Stow and District Civic Society which initiated the link with Appomattox County Historical Society. Society members revealed its planned design and materials as a fitting contribution to the biennial Stow Cotswold Festival – which had adopted a US theme and was held on the 4th of July, American Independence Day. At the event, locals and visitors were invited to join in a mass ‘Sewing Bee’. The call sparked a huge response with all the colourful patchwork’s 128 hexagons being sponsored and the first stitches were sewn.

The one-off 4ft X 3ft quintessentially English quilt was finally completed in November and will be on display in the foyer of St Edward’s Hall, Stow, by the library, until the end of January.

“We’re so proud of the quilt as it helps show we’re reaching out to another country to develop a special relationship,” said Stow Civic Society chairman Nigel Surman, who spearheaded the initiative with wife Rachel, supported by many of the Society’s 150 members. “Stow and Appomattox have shared similar histories due to the turmoil of a civil war and we hope the gift of this quilt will further strengthen our two towns’ continuing friendship,” he added.

Stow Primary School pupils and head teacher Rebecca Scutt – who have built a strong bond with Appomattox Elementary School through the link – had first sight of the finished work. Mrs Scutt said: “Appomattox school feels like a friend across the miles. It’s supportive when we face similar situations, both joyous and sad. We’ve all sent letters and exchange photos of events here, such as Remembrance Day and the American equivalent, Veterans’ Day. We email regularly and follow each other’s websites to compare and contrast our lives.”

The arresting quilt features rosettes of five battles - Edgehill, Marston Moor, Newbury and Naseby, with Stow in the centre - all marked with crossed swords. Made entirely from eye-catching William Morris fabrics, it is in traditional English Paper Piecing style. Friendship link co-ordinator Derek Taylor said it would strike a chord abroad. “Quilts have a very special meaning in the US, particularly in the Civil War,” he explained. “When soldiers went off to fight their womenfolk made quilts for them embroidered with personal messages.

At Stow Cotswold Festival, hexagon sponsors also wrote their names and messages on the quilt’s corresponding template, as part of the gift.

The Society raised over a thousand pounds from the sponsorship, brooches and themed refreshments on the day for Stow Cotswold Festival’s charities.

The postal cost to Appomattox is being donated by American Lee Materia, from Durham House Antiques, Stow.