Camberley knitted map is ready to go ‘on tour’
WALL HANGING REPRESENTING TOWN WAS A YEAR IN MAKING
CAMBERLEY Women’s Institute’s knitted map of the area has finally been revealed.
The colourful wall hanging, entitled Knitted Camberley, was unveiled by the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Robin Perry, on March 7.
WI members were inspired to create the map after seeing Knitted Newbury and Knitted Llandysul, both of which were the work of Susan Howell and a team of ladies in each location.
Sue has been encouraging other groups to “Knit Your Own Town” and several other knitted maps are in progress around the UK.
Camberley WI has an active craft group led by Josephine Wells, and meets weekly for members to work on their own and group projects.
In the past, it has knitted hats for Camberley rugby supporters club, sold in aid of Surrey Heath Age Concern, and made Twiddle Muffs to occupy the restless hands of elderly patients at
Frimley Park Hospital.
For the last couple of years it has ‘yarn-bombed’ the area outside the library with knitted flowers and animals for CamFest.
Members started work on Knitted Camberley in late 2018, with the wider WI members knitting squares for the background, and the more experienced knitters making the more intricate pieces.
Even non-knitters were encouraged to do a few stitches, so it has been a whole group project.
Among the more unusual items to be included in the map are the concrete elephant on the A30, a horse walking up the steps of Sandhurst Military College, and Camberley Kate – a local woman who used to walk the streets accompanied by many dogs.
Following the unveiling, it is now going on tour – starting with a Surrey WI event in Dorking, then on to the WonderWool festival in South Wales in April, and finally being displayed in Camberley Library and the Heritage Centre.