Guerilla knitters needled after giant cake is binned
A GROUP of guerilla knitters have been left heartbroken after their creations were thrown in a skip.
The yarn-bombers had spent months knitting a giant cake to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the town hall in Kelso, Scottish Borders.
The knit, which was made up of 160 squares and 950,400 stitches, was draped over the Kelsae Stane local landmark earlier this month.
But just a week after it was put up, it had been thrown into a skip.
Group member Ann Todd said: “The colourful cake was well received by members of the community, and the following few days saw many photographs taken.
“Families posed together in front of the cake, with the beautiful backdrop of the town hall behind. People stroked the textured surface of the hand-knitted blocks, and people were interested in what it was all about.”
The senseless act of destruction had upset the group of guerrilla knitters.
Ms Todd said: “It’s just shocking.
“This act of malicious vandalism has caused great distress to the women who, with nothing other than good intention, gave their time and dedication to a project aimed at bringing pleasure to the community in which they live.
“Words can’t express the devastation the makers felt by this despicable act, which shows complete and utter disrespect for, not least the craftsmanship, but also the charitable efforts of these well-intentioned women.
“It’s such a pity the people involved could not see beyond their dislike to the well-meaning behind the gesture of these good women and the benefit to the community.”
She added: “It was right at the bottom of the skip and had been covered over.
“But council staff helped us to get it out.
“We have now got it back, and as it had been ripped, it has been repaired and washed and the 10 blankets are ready to be given to the animal rescue charity.
“So, in the end, it will go where it was supposed to go.
“There was no need at all to react to it in this way, no matter how much they didn’t like it.”
Friends of Kelso Museum, who have organised the town hall’s anniversary celebrations, were not available for comment.