'Our woolly wonders bring smiles to the streets'

3 hours ago

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire

News image — The latest display in Higham Ferrers has the theme of summer

Donna Anderson A composite image of two women putting knitted yarn bombs on bollards. The woman on the left is wearing a blue jacket stands by a bollard displaying a crocheted cover topped with a bird figure and a small duck. The woman on the right is leaning towards a bollard, adjusting a striped crocheted cover, with parked cars lining the street behind. — The latest display in Higham Ferrers has the theme of summer

A summery scene of 43 bollard and post box toppers made of wool has helped make people in a town smile, one of its creators has said.

Donna Anderson, from the Higham Ferrers Yarn Bomb Group, in Northamptonshire, said its latest seasonal display featured many warm themes, including cricket, flowers, picnics and Wimbledon.

At 42, "the youngster of the group" said it had just "brightened people's spirits" since they started in December 2020.

"It just brings that personal touch and community spirit to Higham," she added.

Donna Anderson Crocheted yarn covering on a black bollard decorated with red strawberries and a swirl of white cream, resembling a dessert, a green crocheted cover on a bollard topped with miniature knitted cricket stumps, bat and ball, and a small crocheted bird in blue and orange perched on a bollard cover holding a sign reading “No Fishing”, with parked cars in the background, all by a road. — Each bollard has its own covering featuring different summery subjects

Over the years the group has grown from three people, to about 12.

They not only knit and crochet the pieces of art, but also wash, repair and store them.

The displays are changed every few months, and have included themes of Christmas, Harvest, Remembrance, VE Day, VJ Day, and special events like the King's Coronation and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

This year's display has been extended along the High Street, from the town's Market Square to the Co-op.

"The feedback we get is amazing, it makes people smile," said Anderson.

"Many children even name them."

Donna Anderson A group of nine women, all in a row, standing in a market square, they all have their arms out. They are smiling. Some have their legs kicking out. — The group has grown steadily since it started in late 2020, said Donna Anderson (right)

Anderson continued: "Last year we had nine bollards stolen. There was uproar, everyone was upset, but the police found the person involved and recovered most of them.

"We know people enjoy them, even though they were taken, it doesn't put us off making them."

The group meets on the last Thursday of the month at the Higham Ferrers Community Library and Wellbeing Hub and Anderson said it was always looking for new members.

"It's a really good way to make people feel connected and make them realise people are willing to put the effort in and add something to their town and make it individual," she added.