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Wilmslow Knit and Natter group tell us about bringing their town to life while competing in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition
Wilmslow Knit and Natter club (WKAN) formed just over five years ago and has since grown in numbers to deliver some fantastic projects.The dedicated group have knitted 130 knitted bees, a hanging basket packed with flowers, ladybirds and even caterpillars and butterfiles, eight floral table arrangements, a chess board, draughts board, a snakes and ladders game and more! Earlier this year the group was also asked to develop a knitted yarn bomb display to represent the stunning town of Wilmslow for the annual RHS Britain in Bloom competition.
WILMSLOW IN BLOOM
RHS Britain in Bloom encourages towns, villages and cities to use gardening to transform their communities and over 1,600 UK communities enter each year. The theme chosen by WKAN was ‘Wild About Wilmslow’ using the bee to symbolise the workers in the Manchester cotton industries – also known as Cottonopolis. The bee is doubly symbolic for Manchester, also representing the city’s indomitable spirit after a recent tragedy and can often be seen dotted about the city in places of interest.
GETTING ORGANISED
With a variety of both knitting and creative skills required for this project the group called upon all members to collaborate, each one doing their own part – a talented florist assisted with the floral arrangements, while those who didn’t mind sewing or wiring took up the small details of the project. Everyone was there to provide support, suggestions and sometimes a few quizzical looks! The first items to be created were a few knitted bees, then someone made a beautiful honeycomb, another member created a beehive from wood – each person carried away with their creativity. They even knitted cakes and sandwiches just...because!
THE JUDGING
With the judging taking place for the finals during late summer the town was covered with the whole group’s stunning creative e orts – hats and bees hung everywhere and the display was heralded a huge success! But the bigger success was that through the competition the WKAN group developed a stronger bond, all through creativity and sharing the same passion for their local community and crafting.
Want to know more?
This fun group meet every Wednesday morning at the Unico Lounge, Grove Street, Wilmslow. Email suehill1952@btinternet.com for more information or to get involved.