Last year members of Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours Scheme worked for a number of weeks with the arts charity Skippo to create a unique piece of artwork .

* Click here for more Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours Scheme news.

Skippo is an arts project working in West Yorkshire who secured lottery funding to work with groups of older people across the city. 

The project was called "Tall Tales" and encouraged people to tell something of their own, their groups' or their neighbourhood's story through visual media. 

Two artists, Jill and Julia, worked with 16 CGDGNS members to produce a Tree of Life which looked at lifetimes in terms of the Seasons. 

There was much laughter and listening along the way as well as lots of learning in terms of different skills and techniques. 

Using various craft techniques such as quilting, embroidery and fabric painting the group created a beautiful wall hanging which portrays not only the seasons but anecdotes and life stories from those who worked on it.

A great bonus for the group was the chance to take some of what they had learned into Crossgates Primary School where they worked with the Year 3 children making felt to use on their own tree and having a great time in the process.

Other groups across the city created other pieces such as a giant padded fabric book or a doll's house in the shape of a 1940's Leeds terraced house complete with furniture and family members.

The Tall Tales Project culminated in the launch of an exhibition of all the work from across the city at the West Yorkshire Playhouse on Monday the 3rd March where certificates were awarded, and groups got the chance to view each others artwork.

Moira Flynn , development worker with CGDGNS, said "As a scheme we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Skippo on a really imaginative, well delivered and lifegiving project – thank you!"

* If you would like to view the exhibition, it is now mostly at the Central Library and makes a great outing combined with the Leeds Tapestry and a drink in the new Tiled Hall Café. The CGDGNS Tree of Life, however remains at the Playhouse and will be there until March 31.