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On September 16th, the town of Southwell in Nottinghamshire will be decorated with knitted and crocheted items in aid of charity.
Bollards, benches and other street furniture will receive a woolly and colourful makeover as part of an incredible project, which is the brainchild of Newark & District YAC leader, Sue Rodgers.
Southwell Yarn Bomb Project is a community event to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society and the Council for British Archaeology's Young Archaeologists' Club. Funds can be donated through a dedicated Justgiving page.
The two charities were chosen by Southwell Town Councillor and YAC leader, Sue Rodgers. Sue cared for her father who had dementia until his death in 2014 and the Alzheimer’s Society provided years of invaluable support and advice. As a community archaeologist, Sue is passionate about helping young people understand the heritage around them and she has volunteered with YAC for 16 years. All donations will be split 50/50 between the two registered charities. The project has been supported by Southwell Town Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council, and Nottingham County Council.
Groups and individuals from Southwell have been busy making covers for benches, trees and street furniture, including over 100 bollards! They have made items for sale on a market stall on September 16th, when there will also be a street collection to raise funds.
Sue Rodgers told YAC, “What began as a small personal project was quickly embraced by the residents of Southwell and taken to a whole new level. I am amazed by all the support we have received and am really looking forward to seeing everyone’s hard work displayed throughout the town. The whole community has got involved, from primary school children to care home residents; this really is a cross-generational project.”
A group of dedicated volunteer knitters have been meeting up regularly to help Sue organise the event, and will be helping her to stitch up the town on the evening of Friday 15th September, ready for residents and visitors to wake up to a woolly town on Saturday 16th September.
If you are in Southwell on Saturday 16th September, look out for Elmer the Elephant! He'll be parading through the town in all his handmade knitted patchwork glory during the day as part of the yarn bombing celebrations.
Please do support the fundraising effort of this wonderful woolly project! You can donate securely on the dedicated Justgiving fundraising page, and all proceeds will be shared between the Alzheimer's Society and the Young Archaeologists' Club.
It is hoped that the knitted and crocheted display will stay in place throughout Southwell for up to three weeks.