A row of woolly toppers has been helping lift moods in Higham Ferrers, with one of the organisers saying the display has “brightened people’s spirits” since the group began in December 2020.
The latest seasonal display by the Higham Ferrers Yarn Bomb Group in Northamptonshire includes 43 bollard and post box toppers with summer themes including cricket, flowers, picnics and Wimbledon.
Donna Anderson, 42, described herself as “the youngster of the group” and said: “It just brings that personal touch and community spirit to Higham.”
The group has grown from three people to about 12 over the years. Members knit and crochet the pieces, and also wash, repair and store them.
The displays are changed every few months and previous themes have included Christmas, Harvest, Remembrance, VE Day, VJ Day, 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,” Anderson said. “Many children even name them.”
She said the group was not put off after nine bollards were stolen last year.
“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.
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