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Jubilee 2022: Istead Rise Yarn Bombers knit postbox toppers for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

12:02, 05 May 2022

updated: 14:11, 05 May 2022

Jubilee celebrations are already under way in a village where a knitting group has struck again, this time creating postbox toppers fit for royalty.

The WI Yarn Bombers have been creating the masterpieces to kick off the festivities in their community in Istead Rise, near Gravesend.

WI Yarn Bombers are back with Jubliee-inspired toppers. Picture: Christine Hogg
WI Yarn Bombers are back with Jubliee-inspired toppers. Picture: Christine Hogg
The "mystery knitter's" work. Picture: Christine Hogg
The "mystery knitter's" work. Picture: Christine Hogg

They are the latest in a number of themed knits around the village. Knitter Christine Hogg, 68, who lives on the Rise said: "It all takes time and effort but everyone loves to see them."

She told how each of the displays are months in the making, made from between 200 and 300g of wool each, and the group is already starting this year's Christmas scenes.

Joined by her friends Linda Gisby, Rosemarie Green, Brenda Clark and Jan Vickery, they have decorated two postboxes at the Co-op in Lewis Road and Arcadia Road.

Their royal-inspired work features a red, white and blue tree which has around 100 individual knitted leaves sewn on, the Queen, a guardsman and three corgies.

The Easter scenes from this year. Picture: Christine Hogg
The Easter scenes from this year. Picture: Christine Hogg

Eagle-eyed residents will notice there are two crown displays, with the one at the top of the Rise near Wrotham Road being created by a "mystery knitter".

The group has also previously made Easter toppers, hearts in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to show their support and last year created Christmas-themed decorations to spread some festive cheer around the village.

If you want to join them, the WI knitters run a Knit and Natter morning at the café in St Barnabas' Church on Tuesdays at 10am.

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