Appeal for yarn bombers for Remembrance project

People from across the West have been urged to get involved in a Remembrance project which will see thousands of poppies crafted.

Westbury Yarn Bombers, based in Wiltshire, hope to knit 10,000 poppies in time for Remembrance services on 8 November.

Already helped by volunteers from Crafting Smiles in Bristol, the poppies will then be draped over lampposts and wrapped around bollards in Westbury.

Marisa Befoh, from Westbury Yarn Bombers, said she wanted to "create a sea of red" and "make a really big tribute" for Remembrance, while also encouraging people from all walks of life to get involved.

"We warmly welcome handmade poppies, and for anyone not yet fully confident with crochet or knitted art, pom‑poms in the same colours are just as appreciated," Befoh added.

Yarn bombing is a type of street art where people decorate public objects, such as lampposts, benches, and postboxes, with handmade knit or crochet creations.

Members from volunteer group Crafting Smiles, have already created hundreds of poppies to support the Remembrance project.

Befoh originally suggested the group make enough poppies to cover a bollard.

Candy Law, team lead at Crafting Smiles, said: "I told her 'you don't need to worry about manpower. There are lots of us wanting to help."

"We've done our first lot and made more than I think she expected, we made 1,200 poppies. We've also reached out to Crafting Smiles groups in Birmingham, Oxford and Nottingham to get them involved," she added.

Law said once the poppies were in place in the Wiltshire town, she would organise a coach trip from Bristol for the group to go and see them.

There are plans to re-use the poppy art installation for a 'Remembrance veil' at Westbury Library in 2027.

The Westbury Yarn Bombers, which launched in 2022 to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, have had the project bolstered by a £2,000 donation from the Westbury Area Board to help cover costs of yarn.

Westbury Mayor Carole King said: "I was really pleased to hear about their project for this year's Remembrance Day event in Westbury.

"The Town Council, who organises the event, will be very pleased to hear from them about their progress and work with them in installing it for the town."

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